Action - skateboarding

[FrameXFrame]

Other than the fact it was getting dark, how could I have improved this photograph? I had to use my pop up flash because that's all I had to use at the time.

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[oldwolf]

Before someone else gets to you, you might want to read the rules for the critque forums:

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[danbaileyphoto]

Underexposing and making the subject a silhouette against a more saturated background would work really well, and if you wanted you could throw in a little fill flash to bring out the detail in the skater.

[nathanbarlow]

light pole is distracting. either reposition at the time of shooting, or you can use some photoshoppery
I wouldnt get rid of it, but would be 'better' if the light was below his arm (hope you get my meaning)

Usually skateboarding shots like this use a fisheye, or at the very least a wideangle. OR a telephoto for jumps sometimes. Depends on the shot requirements. This one I would say would be better with a wideangle or fish eye lens. This is because seeing the trick in person is very impressive, but photos of it are very unimpressive. eg that rail is probably much longer and steeper than it seems due to your angle and lens choice (mid telephoto if im not mistaken?). a fish eye would restore that wow-factor but a wideangle would help a little.

You have a tiny part of a tree and a rubber thing on either side of the photo. crop in closer (again either at the time, or photoshoppery psot-event)

your focus is slightly off with his upperbody/face compared to his board, feet and legs. stop down your aperture a little maybe?

[sk8surferdude]

this photo could have been better if you had set up off camera flashes!
so you could use as fill light...