When I get my black belt...MORE PICTURES ADDED

[pointandshoot]

...I will NEVER be this good! Shot some pictures at our Tae Kwon Do school's show this evening. The highlight was the visiting Korean Demo team. I have shot demos before but it has been hit or miss...mostly miss. I changed up my approach and shot a 50mm 1.4 Nikon lens with by D200 and flash with the aperature as fast as I could.

Side note...my wife, daughter, and I test for our black belt 1st dan together next weekend. In my late forties, all I can do is hope to survive as the kids swing kicks at my head. Wish us luck!

Enjoy the images. I will post more as I clean them up this week. Critiques and suggestions always welcome.

Chuck

Our Master, K.S. Lee, blowing fire

Child being flipped breaking a board

Korean Demo Team member breaking

 

[spinetnglr]

Very nice pictures !!! ... best of luck to you, your wife and your daughter when you test for your black belt.

 

[Todd_H]

I hope to be this good:

More water...

Seriously, I love the picture of the fire-blowing. Nice job on capturing the details in the flames .

 

[Todd_H]

Korean Demo Team member breaking

LOVE this shot too

 

[pointandshoot]

A few more.

Do not play with fire kids. After blowing fire and breaking many boards that were lit, the fire spread to our Master's hand. Not a great image but you can see the concern.

 

[JR6ooo4]

A few more.

Do not play with fire kids. After blowing fire and breaking many boards that were lit, the fire spread to our Master's hand. Not a great image but you can see the concern.

this one is my favorite

Nice action shots, for sure.
was the fire stunt done in the same gymnasium?

MIkeeee

 

[pointandshoot]

Nice action shots, for sure.
was the fire stunt done in the same gymnasium?

MIkeeee

Thanks! Yes, same gym. Two part demo. The first was the fire blowing. The second was breaking about 6 to 8 yard concrete blocks that were on fire.

Appropriate fire precautions were in place such as floor protection, sand buckets, hand wrapped, etc. After the break, the fire spread to his hand and floor. This is a very dangerous even when a highly skilled grandmaster performs the technique.

The flying breaks are also very dangerous with risk of injury. Body control is key. I have been kicked a few times when assisting. I have also broken toes and a shoulder. And believe me, I am NOT A TOUGH GUY. I am a middle age guy who like shooting pictures. I do not plan on fighting in the octagon. Sparring scares me.

I encourage people to consider martial arts for exercise, stress reduction, and as a family activity. If I was ever in a bad situation, I feel confident to know how to respond without delay. This is particularly important if you have a young daughter in today's world.

That said, I enjoy my photowalks with my daughter. But let someone try to take my camera.

Chuck