Amateur sport

This image has all the elements that the perfect sports picture. needs - action, emotion, drama and a great split-second frozen moment in time. Having been commissioned on occasion to cover sports action, i know how difficult that is; especially to have the ball in the same frame as the players. and that's why this image is so special, as.the baseball is suspended in exactly the right space within the frame, with both protagonists also arranged nicely within the frame; both fixing their eyes firmly on it's flight path - the catcher poised balletically with open arms poised to catch it, whilst the hitter slides into frame in a cloud of dust behind him; open-mouthed as he goes for base. hoping to get to base in time. Not only is this a great frozen moment of split-second action but also one with a built-in narrative. - did he catch it before the other player got to base?. A worthy winner.

Rugby is such a photogenic sport, which is why there are so many good rugby images in this category. This one captures everything that is so great about covering a rugby game because it has all the elements that you want to show from this sport. The action, drama and sheer physicality of Rugby are all shown in this one image..The determination of the central character in this frame as she struggles to hold onto the ball whilst all around her are bodies grappling her. I love the comedic faces of the opposition as they try (in vain?) to bring her down.. A classically good rugby photograph.

A wonderful striking image showing all the visual elements you need to capture a sport like Judo. Lovely body shapes here with only one foot touching the ground; all the other limbs are in mid air pointing in all directions. The photographer also manages to capture that wonderful aggressive expression as the judo participant is about to slam his opponent to the floor. That's what i call picture power!.

A well shot social documentary image that uses a sporting pastime as a way of showing you more about a country and it's culture, in this case, a fishing community along the coast of west Africa. Here, local fisherman amuse themselves with a football captured here suspended above a melee of fishing boats that have just been emptied of their catch and waiting to go out on the next shift. Also the women carrying goods for market wearing a football shirt is another nice touch showing football's interaction with daily life in this part of the world.

I love everything about this image. It seems to say much more than just what is happening. The movement, the light, the composition, the dramatic sky-filled landscape and the interaction between horse and rider (emphasised with a shallow depth of field) with their almost calm, focused, zen-like expressions as they turn dramatically into the frame; all combine to say so much about humans, beasts and nature itself. A powerful, romantic picture that captures the beauty and majesty of horsemanship, with horse and rider as one.. A truly wonderful image.

A gloriously powerful image capturing man against the elements - and what elements!. The windsurfer in in the centre, in full flight against a dramatic backdrop of white spray and luminescent green all the way across the frame. A brilliantly executed picture capturing a decisive moment in a well composed frame, brought to life with vivid colours. Perfect.

A classic sports action picture that looks like it should be gracing a double page spread in Sports Illustrated!. - a wonderful image capturing a baseball player in full balletic flight as he catches a ball; made better as we can actually see it nestled in his glove. The photographer also manages to capture the players face and expression. If i was the picture editor commissioning this event, i would give the photographer a big pat on the back for this one!.

This picture shows how important the decisive moment is in photography; not just to show movement, but also the emotion in a photograph.. With long jump you usually think of the athlete in full flight, legs and arms outstretched. But when you wait for that split-second until they first land, you can get a reaction like this, which is full of drama. the release of energy this young long jumper has is great, as he shows us just how much it all means to him.. The sand flying up around his feet, matching the way his hair is also moving makes this image a special one.. Also, the way the photographer has cut out the background with a narrow depth of field adds to the overall quality of the photograph. Well done!.

This image is all about the application and concentration a participant needs in performing well in a sport. The power of this table tennis player's look as he focuses on the flight of the ball against a clean background, along with the image's bright colours and lines is what makes this photograph stand out. Well done.

A great action shot capturing the exact point of 110 meter hurdles sprinter in full flight with all limbs outstretched, but could be made all the more effective with a longer leans to draw the viewer in with a flattened perspective; as well as lower aperture (f4 perhaps) in order to throw out the background so as to isolate the principle subject in order for us to concentrate on her, rather than the all-too busy distracting background.. Nice shot though.

So nearly an award-winning photograph, capturing a wave as it starts to envelope a surfer, who's adrenaline-fuelled expression is brilliantly captured here. For me it's the framing, although interesting, that does not quite convey enough of what he is doing to make us feel like we are there, routing for him, willing him not to wipe out. I think there is just not enough of his body in the frame to give it that perfect sporting image. If we had seen more of him precariously balanced on his board that would give the viewer more connection with the picture. A brilliantly capped photograph none the less.