Need tips (Action Photos)

[DHbiker]

Here are some pictures I took today of my friend toady hitting some jumps on his bike.
Any way I could improve the photos? I am using a Olympus Stylus Digital 410, and am I new to taking photos with cameras. I took all the photos on Program Auto Mode. Tips and opinion appreciated. Thanks for looking.

[mjs1973]

First of all, welcome to the forum. It's always nice to see new members.

I don't know anything about the camera you are using, so I don't know what kind of control you have over the settings. My first impression of your shots is that they are underexposed, with the exception of the first one. If you can add some exposure compensation with your camera, that would help get more detail in the main subject. Your camera is under exposing your subject, do to the bright sky in the background. By adding a little more exposure to these images, you would get more detail in your main subject. The down side is that the bright sky would have little or no detail. I think your 3rd photo is a good example. There is a little more detail in the rider, and your sky is blown out. That being said, I really like the silhouette of the rider in the last picture, and exposure compensation would have taken away from the impact of this particular image IMHO.

Another big thing to consider is composition. Be aware of what is in your viewfinder. A lot of times there isn't much you can do to avoid things like powerlines, and other objects that the viewer will find distracting. That being said, ther is a lot we can do to minimize their affect, and location within the photo. For example, in your last 3 photos, moving a few steps to the left, would move the powerlines, to the left side of the frame more, so they are not running thru your main subject. A little photoshopping could take them out for you so it's not a big deal, just something you should be watching for when taking photos.

I really think you are off to a great start with these photos. You have some nice images here, in what looks like a very contrasty setting. A lot of bright sun, and dark shadows witch can be tricky to get a good exposure from sometimes, but I think you're off to a great start.

[mtbbrian]

First off, welcome to PR.com!
It looks like need to pre focus your camera for starters.
Pre focus on say the ramp, for example.
Watch your backgrounds too, a busy background is distracting.
And like mountain biking... Practice, Practice, Practice!
Make sure you check out the other forums here, especially the "Sports" one.
A lot of the same things that apply to photographing other sports apply to mountain biking.

There are a few of us that shoot mountain biking in it's various forms, so make sure to at lease read those posts and chime in if you have a question or comment. Many times I have learned something through the conversations that happen around here.

And as shameless plug, check out my own site too.
;)

Brian
Ride On!