Monster Skate jam Prague

While browsing Prague for sites and other things to photograph, I came across a Monster sponsored skateboarding. I managed to capture few shoots I really like and I'd like to share with you.

Any tips on making this picture would be very appreciated.

OP: WHat are YOUR thoughts about the power line with shoes hanging from it that goes through the skater's head?

Just a little critiquing the only thing I see wrong with this photo is that you're never suppose to photograph a skater's back. Wait just a tenth of a second longer also and get the action of him catching the board with his feet rather than mid trick because that's when a skater's style shows the most.
Other than that it's good! Framing is good because you can see where he's going and where he's landing.

Biffbradford wrote in post #16110551
OP: WHat are YOUR thoughts about the power line with shoes hanging from it that goes through the skater's head?

to me it shows the atmosphere of the location, what its like at that one spot. This photo is taken at Stalin in Letna park, this is the biggest alternative location in Prague, well known to skaters, bmxers, and lots of alternative people.

Also no matter where you would shoot from, you'd have wires with shoes

see google of location

Jack, thanks I will try it next time I go shoot skaters, I see what you mean, I didn't want to crop in to close to give the perception of height.

What was your shutter speed? It might be my imagination, but I think I can see a little motion blur.

Most pictures were around 1/800 with iso at 100 and mostly at f/5.6

I took all the tips provided by you guys and tried to make a new edit, I removed the wires with the shoes though I found them kind of cool, and got a pic of a skater on board and facing me (at least a little) now my issue is the darn sky. I cant seem to figure out how to bring out the sky without getting lots of noise with it, I want to bring more drama to the picture. I will need to spend few hours on youtube before I really complete the picture.

However I would like to know if this is any better. Taken with my 200mm lens

Cheers

100% better.

I like it - Any way you could make the background sky "pop" a little more?

I'd put a flash or two on the skater, I wouldn't care about making the sky pop. The subject is the skater so the only thing you'd want to pop, is him.

jackkthemackk wrote in post #16115866
I'd put a flash or two on the skater, I wouldn't care about making the sky pop. The subject is the skater so the only thing you'd want to pop, is him.

I don't have any flashes yet, I'm to new into photography, so before investing into flashes I want to make sure I've got the basics down 100%. But soon.
I'd like to make the sky come out a bit more, it was a very dull day in the first place, but I thinking pulling out the sky just a little will also pull out the skater.

Thank you, guys, I'm reading lots of threads here and studying the pictures to gain the knowledge of what to look for. Hope to make stunning picture's one day