MPAX Sports/Action Photography Workshop

(I'm writing these backwards, from last workshop to first, so they'll be in proper order when reading my blog.  So this is the first post I'm writing but it'll be last on the blog since it was the last workshop!)

This past Sunday I went to a workshop on sports & action photography, taught by Winnipeg sports photographer Rob Bye.  It was a great workshop, first in the classroom because Rob talked so much and gave us so many tips and pointers and information, and I was being a big dork and writing down everything he said!  :)  But that's how I can remember it!  Second, it was great because I loved being outside at the skate park at The Forks watching and trying to photograph the skateboarders and bikers.  It's amazing what they can do and I was always to much of a scaredy-cat to even ride on straight flat ground on a skateboard (and I have terrible balance, too), so watching what these guys (and girls - I didn't see any girls doing it, but I know some can!) can do was incredible.  I also talked quite a bit with Rob and with some of the other people in the class and it was really cool getting to know them, and hearing stories, and learning more.  

So, I also discovered that it can be pretty hard to get a perfect action shot!  These guys move so fast so it's hard to get a well-composed shot, and I liked to try to get shots when they were really close to me but then I had the problem of part of them being out of the photo.  Still, I'm happy with a few of my photos, and especially of this one hard-core-looking skateboarder who had such an intense look, so I loved editing the photos of him even though none of them are technically perfect.  

I definitely want to go back because now I so want to get some really cool skateboarding photos, and when I do I'll be so excited!!!  :)  Also, I know we can post any photos on the Winnipeg skateboarding site and the guys all go to look, so I'd love to be able to give them some great shots of themselves in action!

And this was a REALLY cool thing - these three older Amish couples came walking by and stopped to watch this biker, and they were all smiling and clapped for him afterward, and the lady to the far left in the picture turned to us and said she wouldn't be trying that. It was so cute!!! I won't forget that cuteness and sweetness for a very long time!