Like the way you framed the shot

liam beattie: thank you...will be seeing you soon again. Cant believe i didnt find your stuff earlier...its fantastic!

I don't know your camera - so may miss out on understanding. I guess it will have a 'sport' setting - meant for panning.

Personally, I think these sort of action pictures requires some work like the preps you describe, but even more. Work on the angles. These guys jump in the air and hang for a moment there. That is the moment you want to capture. You may have to lay on your back and shoot upwards, or get onto something so that you will be on the same level.

Point is, find those moments of virtual stand still and work on them.

Panning best with a tripod. From the hand panning is possible but requires luck. Best to be parallel to the route the subject is going to take.

This picture shows that you may have been very close. Being a bit further away can help with the panning and composition. You can always crop closer afterwards.

Just a few ideas - you may be aware of them anyhow.

I like this picture - now up to the next shoot.

liam beattie: great comment louis thanks! I didnt realise that i tried it at the time but yes i think it was a sports mode...i havent used it since and mainly use shutter now

I like this pic because technically its a difficult trick...he fell a few times before getting it. I have a few i think you may like where i have cropped in rather than filled the frame...and the guys hang it out there in a big way (quite mental stuff actually)

Ive looked a how the "pros" shoot this type of thing and its almost always low down and with a fisheye which warps the perspective...often set up shoots with lighting too

Getting close can be quite lifethreatening and I was nearly "beaned" a few times (protecting the camera with my body of course!

I have a lot to learn about this type of shot and its far more challenging than simple landscapes...even birding! But i have time so hope to improve.

Thanks again...your tips are noted and appreciated

I couldn't help but be attracted to this photo, having dabbled in a bit of skateboarding myself now and then - nicely taken, the concentration of the boarder is well captured. (by the way that would be a backside boardslide!). Cheers, H.

liam beattie: Hey Harry

thanks for correcting me...no amount of x-games viewing makes me any wiser to the ridiculous names they call these tricks.

Extremely well done! I know from the track it is VERY difficult to get the focus on a subjec that is in motion - you have to prejudge and that in itself speaks highly of the photographers ability. I truly love this shot and you should be very proud! Kind Regards, Elize :o)

PS - I look forward to seeing more of these 'action' shots!

liam beattie: i did a test today for panning whilst in george but the weather was so bad...if its good tomorroww i have the kids all lined up so will be experimenting in a big way. If i get anything good I'll be sure to post it... Thanks Elize

funny shot ! Nice moment of life !