I've written before about my skycam technique, which I'm sure isn't original but I've never seen anyone else doing it so what the heck, I'll claim it as my own.

It came in useful again yesterday at the Tain Highland Gathering for the high jump and pole vault. Got quite a few okay-ish pics but this must rate as the best one, firstly because it's a decent composition and secondly because it captured the moment when Donald Bradley won the pole vault competition. Shame about the empty seats in the background, and that's why it won't be in the paper.

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Here are a couple of good pics from the high jump. These were done in the boring old-fashioned way, ie: just holding the camera. But close enough that I got whacked a few times. All in a day's work!

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Some other events, the long jump and the weight throw for distance. The final picture showing Jason Young in the caber toss event (very similar to one from the Strathpeffer games) is the one that will be in today's Press & Journal. 

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I've mentioned before that I like to get close to the action, and I irresponsibly encourage everyone to do so. But yesterday I did something stupid and I should mention that too as a warning to others.

While sitting very close to the hammer throw area I had a technical problem with my camera and I briefly looked away from the competitor. Next thing I knew, a hammer went off course and landed about 10 yards from me. That might sound like a good distance away but it was close enough that I actually felt it land, as well as heard it. The competitor could have easily let go of it a split second later and that would have been me dead, end of story.

So if you share my enthusiasm for getting up close to whatever event you're photographing then please remember the golden rule: Watch the danger at all times. Then if it comes your way you've at least got a chance of legging it.

That's one of my nine lives gone.