Shooting Zumba!?

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I was asked this morning if I would shoot some Zumba pictures for some kind of NHS intranet page promoting the dance style.

From what I can gather (from the girlfriend who does it) Zumba is a fast moving, slightly unpredictable and indoors, usually in halls with crappy lighting. Not ideal.

Has anyone shot any indoor type sports and have any tips?

Getting close won't be a problem so I guess it's going to be lens speed over focal length, keep the ISO high and shoot when they are a stationary as possible!

Hope someone here can help! Thanks!
 
Why can't you use bounced flash? If you can that will freeze the motion of some of the dancers.

Also look for patterns in the dance, especially when you see a move repeated, you can then judge when they are going to be facing the right way, or not have an arm over their face etc (not done Zumba so not sure what the moves are like). Its easy to get shots that are very unflattering, so take plenty of shots so you can weed those out. Its not just about getting well exposed, in focus dancing shots - its also about capturing the fun and feel of the dance style. (Eg if I'm shooting jive I try to get people spinning, if Lindy then I'm looking for the 'grounded' pose, if tango I'm looking for the shapes of feet and legs.)
 
My only knowledge of Zumba is the adverts on the tv and a friend that goes. I wonder if trying to freeze the action (which I think is what you're decribing to do) is precisely the wrong style of photography for a fast-paced, active, participatory, social, fitness dance?

I'd be looking at the existing threads on nightclub/dance photography, rather than anything on indoor sport. Using flash and dragging the shutter for ambient and movement.

If you try and freeze things, it's going to look flat, dull and boring. Bounced flash (unless youre very careful) will light the whole hall, including the stacked chairs and the tea urn in the background.
 
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