On location / capture an action sequence
1 Steady camera
Our set of photos needs to be in perfect alignment as this’ll make the frames easier to blend later in Photoshop. So we need a tripod to keep the camera still throughout. A remote release is also useful, as it means we don’t have to touch the camera at all during the sequence.
4 Shoot side-on
Try to visualize how the subject will look when in multiple positions throughout the frame. A side-on view of the action is usually best as there’s less overlap between shots. Compose loosely to give yourself extra space if necessary.
2 Use a reflector
On a bright sunny day like this a reflector will help to bounce a bit of light back into the shadows on the subject. Check with the skater beforehand to make sure it’s not too blinding – we don’t want it to cause a wipe out at an absolutely crucial moment!
5 Camera angles
A low camera angle will help to emphasize the height of jumps and air time. It also lets us minimize the amount of ground in the frame and enables us to frame the subject against the expanse of clear blue sky for a simple, vibrant backdrop.
3 Pre-focus
Fast-moving subjects can be a challenge for your autofocus. So if we know where the subject is going to be, we can ask them (or anyone) to stand in the crucial spot beforehand so we can pre-focus on the position. Then we switch to manual focus to lock it in place.
6 Show the story
A sequence photo is like a short story, and like all the best stories, it should have a beginning, middle and end. Frame up so that you can see where your subject is coming from, what they’re going to go over, and where they will land.