You're probably not going to Japan to watch Olympic figure skating. But you may be able to photograph great figure-skaters at your local rink. According to Don Sheff, Director of the world's largest photography school - the New York Institute of Photography (NYI), here are five tips to help you take exciting picture of them:

First, use a long lens. While the "normal" lens on your point-and-shoot can give you a nice wide-angle picture of the arena, you will need a telephoto lens to get in close to the action. Try to fill the frame with the skater.

Second, don't rely on your point-and-shoot camera to capture a gyrating skater at the height of a leap. It won't. All point-and-shoots delay up to a second between the time you press the shutter-button and the time the picture is taken. To get a good action shot, use an SLR in Manual Mode.

Third, according to NYI, set focus in advance. "Pre-focus" on an area of the rink near you so you're prepared to shoot whenever the performer is in your pre-focused zone.

Fourth, set exposure in advance too. Even if your seat is not near the front, NYI advises you to walk to ringside before the festivities begin, and take your reading.

Fifth, to get the sharpest possible image, use a tripod or monopod.

"Reprinted with permission from a monthly edition of the New York Institute of Photography's web site"