MCP has some great actions, but there are also some different free or less expensive actions out there. Check out thepioneerwoman.com/ (free), www.thecoffeeshopblog.com/, (free). and nellynero (free)

You can also check out Pure photoshop actions as well, they are great too! I have all of theirs and also use PSE9. I also have some of paint the moon, and My four hens, etc. I could go on and on. But to answer your initial quesiton MCP is really great and I'm sure would be worth the money----they are just not the only game in town!

Thanks... if you like challenging 'indoor action' - basket ball & volley ball are all of that. Football at night is also. These are some of my personal favorite basketball shots: http://mercer.smugmug.com/HighshoolBasketBallOregon/Oregon-State-6A-Highschool/Published-in-Mail-Tribune/16205654_9VGnTm/1217327282_LvE4V

Track & Field timing & angle are everything, if your settings are correct... the challenge is the changing sky on rainy or cloudy days. http://mercer.smugmug.com/TrackandField/2011-05-13-Western-Oregon-U

I found a set that was a few years old... of a Martial Arts Tournament my little sister was participating in (I had those photos posted to my old Flickr account - for the family sharing stuff). These are all 'as shot' (no post processing, cropping, or other alterations)... so there are some not so great ones. But, they might give you an idea of what the settings & angles can do (and which to avoid).

http://www.flickr.com/photos/terry_mercer/sets/72157623658578190/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/terry_mercer/4448961746/in/set-72157623658578190

http://www.flickr.com/photos/terry_mercer/4448293775/in/set-72157623658578190

http://www.flickr.com/photos/terry_mercer/4449103918/in/set-72157623658578190

http://www.flickr.com/photos/terry_mercer/4448992894/in/set-72157623658578190

http://www.flickr.com/photos/terry_mercer/4448227191/in/set-72157623658578190

Settings on the Flickr martial arts set is:
Exposure 0.003 sec (1/320)
Aperture f/5.6
Focal Length 250 mm
ISO Speed 1600
Exposure Bias +2 EV
Flash Off, Did not fire

Moving around, to find different angles is important (depending on the location & match). Obviously, if you are shooting a cage match, a good location is a good location... and ya don't want to give that up. But, the average tournament has 3 to 6 'rings' going... and you'll need to scope out the back ground and angles of each - and be ready to move as the athlete you're following moves. Pay attention to where the judges are - as more experienced athletes will 'play toward' them more often than not. Best of luck.

1/250th isn't usually fast enough... 320 is, unless they are demonstrating weapons or just ULTRA FAST. There's one guy I've shot that can't be fully stopped at 1000.

When I shoot sports action... I go to full manual... set shutter speed first, most open aperature second, then adjust for the ISO (with indoor stuff - usually 1600 to 6400). With the 60D, you have the ability to crank the ISO, but will start to get a bit of noise after about 1600... so noise reduction will be helpful in the post processing. But 6400 works beautifully. (ALL of these were 250, f3.5 to 5.6, 6400 ISO: http://mercer.smugmug.com/OtherSports/2011-11-11-SMedford-vs-Centenn/SMedford-vs-Cenntenial-TOP/20091907_cMG3kB/1585137208_CGvzMRB... you can see a bit of blur on the ball in some frames, and 320 would have stopped that in all but the kick offs... but the lighting wasn't bright enough to allow that, and I would have lost more of the other shots).

Also, consider either center spot focus points OR all... with AI Servo, and use the focus button at the back of your body while shooting (your thumb should reach it - and just hold it down during the action). Best of luck...

Hi! I am actually in the process of being incorporated and getting my website and portfolio together as wedding photographer. I am not the best photographer (yet) but I am definitely tenacious and I give it my all. I have done over 30+ weddings for free and only this year began to charge. I had done many family ones for free and flattered and excited to do them (never felt it was anything but good and excited and ALWAYS more nervous than the bride and groom - but did it). I was asked then by three different people who saw my photos (who I did NOT know) to do their weddings - now I became nervous - like you - OMG - but the first time I did not return the girls call because I was afraid and never did call her, but this past year I decided to do it because that is where my passion is. I have done four for strangers! I realized I had to get more experience and more importantly I know that I have a bridal show in January and to sell myself I have to believe in myself and do well. So every day for the past year (and I mean pretty much every day) I take photography class. I am the teacher and the student- home schooling I call it. I am far from knowing what I am doing and the more I learn the more I know I need to learn. My advice is definitely do the wedding - you have warned her and told her you can only do your best - there is nothing more you can do - here is a perfect opportunity for your experience and portfolio. With digitals you know you can check to be sure you have some good shots and you know you will get them, so believe in yourself, this is a kickstart to do it if you want. My favorite new saying...Make a wish and then make it come true! You have till January - get busy - you can do it!! Sorry this is so long winded - but I saw myself in you! I did four weddings in the past three months and I have three between now and October. My Dad pointed out - in all the weddings I've done neither I nor they have been disappointed in the pics - so I am just going to keep getting better and you will too! I have gotten rave reviews from my brides and call myself an amateur professional or professional amateur but either way, I make sure before I leave that wedding - they have tons of great shots and then I kill my babies as they call it (get rid of any that would be a poor reflection on me - and that part is not easy!) Okay now I am rambling - sorrrrry!

Senior Image 3 ... (Control J) to make a copy of original ... then use Lasso Tool to make a squiggly selection around subject ... then Edit/Stroke # pixels on the selection. then Effects Palate to Bevels, Drop Shadows, etc or in combination to suit your taste ... then close as a new name image so you don't change the original.

My worst ever disaster was shooting a wedding with a new flash unit that failed to fired properly and I didn't get ANY pictures. It was horrible. Really awful. I didn't take any pictures at all for years. Did I mention they were my best friends? I was actually grateful when they got divorced. At least they no longer cared about the wedding pictures they didn't have.