I shoot a lot of extreme sports and two main rules to follow are never interfere with your subject and keep yourself safe. To get that great shot the photographer has to take some risk and as with bravery, there is a fine line between calculated and foolishness.
The thrill of extreme photography is being right in the middle of the action and the reward is the lasting images you've created. Above all you need to give yourself the chance to shoot another day.
Several years ago I took this shot from the beach of a helicopter and offshore powerboat during a race in Miami. I was amazed at the photographer and couldn't even imagine what he was experiencing. A few years later I found myself riding in that very same helicopter with the opportunity to photograph the 1984 Offshore Powerboat World Championship in Key West.
I'd have to say that was one of the most thrilling things I've ever done. I was put in a safety harness so I could move around and I did step out and stand on the skid like the photographer I'd seen but that turned out to be no good as the wind at 150 mph was too strong and made it hard to hold the camera steady. It also didn't give you any better of an angle so it was much better to sit inside the copter. After doing it myself I figured out the other photographer was only doing it for the thrill or for the show. Either way it was amazing flying along side of the boats and I don't think anyone had a better view. That's extreme photography.
