High Jumper @ Princeton Invitational

snap the pic about 1/2 second later next time...better position of the jumper...

I disagree. I think the timing was perfect. Besides, 1/2 a second is a lifetime in sports photography; the guy would have landed on the ground by then. Too bad there is such a bad background.

I think that the first poster was suggesting to snap the pic a little later because it lacks the expected drama. I would argue that the "problem" here lies with the high jumper's technique, not the photographer. The way he's going over the bar demonstrates an amazing jumping ability but pretty poor technique (it is high jump and not pole vault, right?). His back should be arched; he shouldn't be looking at the bar; he should be leading with his head. With "proper" technique (who's to argue with it if it works for him, except that maybe he could improve), you get the dramatic arch that I think makes for a more exciting photograph. Not the photographer's fault.