BMX tricks and an extreme shooting tip

I took this during the summer and I'm hoping to shoot a lot more action like this when I'm back in Gizzy in three weeks!

EXTREME SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY TIP

If it's sunny, and they're jumping - use flash!

This photo reminds how with photography you're constantly in a learning curve... for example, it seems obvious when I write it, but when you're shooting a shot like this with people jumping into the air, the sun is going to be above them making big shadows.
ie: Person above your head + sun behind them = big fat shadows and silhouettes...which are totally cool if that's what you want! But, if you really want to see faces and expressions you need to use flash.

The first time I shot this kind of action shot in a competition  environment I really wondered why all the pros were flashing away - that was until I realised how bad my pics were going to be without attaching a strobe flash!
My pics pretty much sucked! But I learnt a great lesson!

Anyway, I hope that tip helps, and if you're ever shooting your friends or kids, and they're getting into some extreme air action make sure you have a flash attached (If you're using a basic digital camera, workout how to force your flash so you can shoot it when you want to.) Remember: Lots of sun +jumps = lots of flash needed!

Sweeeeet shot

x Cat

Light me up (soft) rocker

 

Photographers will all tell you that light is pretty much the most important thing when it comes to taking a good photo...and strangely one of the best places in my house for taking photos when it comes to light is our stairwell....don't ask!
It's good in a mishy mashy light way - ie the light blares up the stairs and then shoots from the side and then bounces off this white wall and if the overheads are on you get that too ... anyway, it's something I like because you get cool side and backlight and everything else tends to look good too.
The other day Ali and I were going to a party and just before going, our pup Blue was having one of those psychic - I know you're going out and I'm going to be all alone - sad-dog-look moments so Ali picked her up to say goodbye.
My camera was right beside me so I quickly picked it up and took this pic without them noticing.
I know I have a vested interest in this shot but even if you didn't know Ali or Blue I reckon you'd think it was kind of cute!

Sweet shot!

x Cat

Mean Maori Mean!

I took this photo during the official welcome at Rhythm and Vines in Gisborne, NZ and although I LOVED many of the musicians at the festival - this is by far my favourite image of the event.
I wasn't in the photographer's pit when I took this shot ... in fact I'd been held up mightily by the loooooooooooooooooong, dehydration-inducing disorganisation on the first day at the main gates ..... however, a bit of a sprint down the hill once we were through, and just a mild stop-off to laugh at the first of many nude sliders down the water shute.... and I managed to get into place to take this shot.  Mean shot!

Greatest American Hero (GAH) x infinity

When I was a kid I LOVED the Greatest American Hero, it was by far my favourite TV series.
I loved the fact that he couldn't always fly and that he really had to believe in himself to make things happen....this appealed to me soooo much.
The curly blonde fro, not quite so much.

Sooooo you can imagine my delight when I saw multiple GAH's on the Wellington waterfront Sunday.

All I can say is bless the sevens!

x Cat

He's flyin'

 

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I'm a big fan of skating, and I especially love it when young kids just go for it.

This guy must have been about 8 and he was TOTALLY wrecking the Wellington skatepark this afternoon.

I was walking to the supermarket to get some bits and pieces for the barby and I just had to take some snaps! Sweet shot!

x Cat