Need advice on motion shots

[Boosting1Bar]

A friend of mine asked me to take pictures at the local Polar Bear club winter get together this weekend. I want to make sure I get good shots of everyone jumping...advice to catch the best possible motion shots?

[stopbath]

If you want to FREEZE action, you must use a high shutter speed (1/250 or higher).
If you want to show action, you must use a slower shutter speed(1/125 or slower).
If you want to freeze action but show a little motion you could use flash to freeze the action, but use a slower shutter speed to show the path of motion. This is the most complex method and will require a balance between the flash portion and the natural light portion of the shot. (depends on distance, power of flash, and available light... Have someone do some test jumps so you can take some tests...)

Your camera may or many not have a sports mode, this will tend to freeze action easily (if exposure allows it.) There may be a motion mode too which will allow slower speed (if exposure allows it) The modes may not work well if lighting does not permit it (strong sun shine will likely mean no motion visiable.)