Trickster in Action

[jmes10]

Taken at Southbank Skate Park, London.



Comments and critism welcome,

James

[Frog]

Got the action stopped well here but I think the subject doesn't stand out due to the busy background.

[GB1]

I like the background better than the trickster. Seriously, go back and get some shots of it. It's very 3-D. I agree with Frog's assessment and it is too soft to consider a true action keeper. These type shots are hard.
GB

[CLKunst]

Hi James-

Welcome to the forum. For a beginner this is a good start. I have to agree that your background is dominating the scene. I also think you're trickster is soft because the camera is focused on the background and not on the action. There's no motion blur to explain the softness so it must be a focus problem. If this is a friend of yours I would go back to this spot, or similar, and have him turn flips till he's sick so you can practice shooting. You've captured the right moment, you just need to nail your technicals.
I would also try shooting from a different angle so he is not competing with background as much. Maybe lay on the ground nearby and shoot up at him as he's flipping. Repeat I said NEARBY not OVER you! Also, practice pre-focusing so you don't have to worry about that junk when things start to happen. Pick the spot where he's going to hit and focus there, put it on manual so the camera doesn't over think, and then all you have to do is push the button and follow through. Using a flash would also help you freeze the action as well and deepen your focal zone through a smaller aperture and it also might make some really neat shadows on the background. Keep shooting, you're on the path!:thumbsup:

[MB1]

I think you are too far away from the guy doing the flip so he gets lost in the background. I am also not sure about the way you have the horizon tilted.

I think that a night shot here with some lighting on the wall and a flash for the jumper would create some really neat images. Keep working on this one as there is a lot to like here.