Regardless of whether you are one of the millions of lucky spectators, camera in hand, at the 2002 Winter Olympics, or you are at your local high school hockey game, here are some tips from the New York Institute of Photography to help you take exciting pictures at your favorite winter sporting events.

According to Chuck DeLaney, Dean of the world's largest photography school, "These tips will help you get great photos regardless of whether you are at the Olympics or your child's hockey game."

If you're way back in the stands, you'll need a long lens 200mm or longer and use a tripod if allowed to steady the shot and fast film to stop the action ISO 800 is a good choice.

Hint: When something exciting happens, everybody stands up! So if you're sitting in crowded stands, don't be surprised that at the height of action, when something is actually worth photographing, the guy in front of you jumps up and gets in your way. The solution is to try and sit where there is no one in front of you, which might happen at a local game, but certainly won't be an option at the major venues in Salt Lake City.

Indoors, don't use a flash. Most indoor arenas don't allow it because it can distract the athletes. Rather, take advantage of the arena lights, which can provide adequate lighting if you use fast film.

When photographing skiers or skaters, you may want to convey a sense of motion in your photos. NYI's Dean Chuck DeLaney suggests that you use a slow shutter speed, say 1/30th, and follow the subject in your viewfinder as he skates past, keep him there as you shoot, and keep following him after you shoot.

"You want a smooth motion, like a tennis player swinging and following through with the ball."

When photographing skiers, timing means everything. If your camera does not offer auto-focusing, use "zone focusing" that is, estimate your distance to the point where you expect the action to be, pre-set your camera for this distance, and then don't adjust it when you shoot each picture. This works especially well if you are using a small aperture, f/8 or smaller, which will increase your depth of field.

Don't rely on a point-and-shoot camera to capture a gyrating skater at the height of a leap. It won't. All point-and-shoots delay a bit, some 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.

When photographing a hockey game, watch out for reflections in the glass panel separating you from the action. If you use an autofucus camera, make sure it's focusing on the action, not on the glass.

Finally, don't forget to look for reactions shots, too. Yes, the action on the field during the battle may be intense. But many a great picture of tragedy or triumph occurs after play is over or on the faces of the fans. You'll find similar reaction shots after a spectacular ski jump or ice skating performance.