How do I take good action pictures in low light?

[sclewin]

Now I've seen your photo there I highly reccomend trying 2nd sync shutter and your on camera flash...

Very cool effect. I will try that the next time I get a chance. I did not know what 2nd Sync is so I googled it. Correct me if I am wrong, its slow sync on my camera?

... external flash is much better though.

I have been told that by a few professionals. One of the local photographers actually told me to first buy an external flash first before I buy anything else. I plan on buying a nice Sigma flash I seen today that was not too badly priced when I can get the money together.

Thank you everyone for their continued help. I can tell the amount of skill on this forum is amazing and I love how people are quick to help. Thank you.

[Mad Aussie]

2nd sync basically forces the flash to fire at the end of the photo instead of the beginning.
It's called 2nd sync flash or 2nd sync curtain.
What this allows is for you to select a long shutter speed that allows lots of light in in a low light situation before the flash fires and grabs whatever else is there. If your subject is moving then you pan with the movement which creates those cool blur effects and sensation of movement ... then the flash fires at it's fast speed capturing your subject in something close to sharp hopefully. Takes a bit of practice but worth it I think. My advice is to pan after you take the shot. In other words start panning with the subject press the shutter while still panning and then follow through. You tend to get better results I think. A bit like follow through with a golf club or baseball bat. Don't bunt ... slam a home run

[jjeling]

How do you take good action shots?

Hmmmm....MA might agree with me....

Take lots and lots of pictures, aka practice. There is no amount of help or instructions that will make up for experience in the field.