My favorite type of shoot is the warmblood inspection. They are educational and I get to spend the day around really high calibre horses. Not to mention the breeders and owners. I just really enjoy it. Saturday was spent in Findlay, OH at the German Oldenburg Verband inspection. Although a smaller inspection than last year in quantity, it was a very nice inspection. And the outdoor ring at Findlay has got to be one of the most picturesque places I go to to shoot. Its just lovely.
Today I spent in Lawrenceburg, IN at Oakwood Farm Hanoverians. They are hosting a Hanoverian inspection today and tomorrow. Today was the mare performance test. It started with free jumping and then they were shown in hand. Tomorrow I'm going back for the foal inspections.
Its been very interesting to me to see how the different verbands do their inspections. So far, the GOV is the only one that doesn't look at the mare at liberty. The Hanoverians and Holsteiners both score the horse at liberty. The Holsteiners score the canter. You'll have to check out the proofs and then the GOV and Hanoverian inspections for photos. Enjoy!
Monday, July 21, 2008
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Brennan/Jones Wedding
I had the opportunity to shoot a lovely couple's wedding today. They were Courtney Brennan and Andy Jones. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting them and working with them to capture the moments that were important to them. Here are a couple of my favorites from their day:
Monday, June 16, 2008
Indy Dressage Classic @ Foxton Farms
I spent the weekend shooting the Indy Dressage Classic I & II shows at Foxton Farms in Romney, IN (just south of Lafayette, IN). It is a nice facility with great footing in the rings -- and its a good thing because both rings were practically under water on the first day. However, with days of brilliant sunshine, lots of horses working in the rings and frequent drag sessions, the rings dried up beautifully. In fact, by Sunday afternoon, they were dusty!
Anyhow, here is the link to the proofs from that event and here are a couple of my favorites from the weekend. Dressage Show Proofs
Anyhow, here is the link to the proofs from that event and here are a couple of my favorites from the weekend. Dressage Show Proofs
Monday, June 2, 2008
The Covered Arena
Aside from shooting indoors, shooting pictures in a covered arena is one of the most challenging settings I face as an equine photographer. Of course what makes them challenging is that the lack of walls creates a very back-lit situation. If let to its own accord, the camera will meter based on the average available light -- which will be quite bright. Unfortunately, this means that the subject is quite often left very dark.
What About Using A Flash?
If I can use a flash in this setting, GREAT. And by flash, I mean a hot-shoe flash, not the camera integrated, pop-up fill flash. That pop-up flash just isn't going to cut it. With a flash unit on, I can evenly light the area and the subject and typically get a decent exposure. However, I'm limited to one or perhaps two exposures with the flash firing. That means that my motor-driven shots are not going to be lit properly by the flash and most will turn out dark. If you have developed your eye enough to know when take the shot at the perfect moment, you should end up with some nice moments!
Lenses Make A Big Difference
Using a high-speed lens is a requirement. You'll want at least an f/2.8 if not faster. Remember, the smaller the f-number, the more light is permitted into the sensor (or film). So while an f/2.8 is good, an f/1.8 lets even MORE light in. Most consumer lenses are in the range of f/4 to f/6. While these are great for outdoor, brightly lit photography, they typically won't cut it in a covered arena.
Learn to Use Manual Settings
The best option for good photography in this situation is to learn to use your manual settings. The sooner you learn to use the manual settings on your camera, the sooner you'll be able to capture the picture you actually want! Don't fret though. Its really not that scary. Learning to use the correct manual settings might seem a little complicated at first. If you've only ever shot in a automatic mode, then yeah, it might be a little intimidating to turn the dial to Tv, Av or *gasp* M. However, there is a lot of photographic power in understanding what these modes can do for you.
So What Are My Settings?
The first thing I look at is how bright it is outside. Based on that, I'll choose my ISO (film speed). I'll usually start with an ISO setting of 400. If it is really bright out, or if light is being reflected into the arena from another building or off of the footing, then I might adjust it down to 200 and see what my shots look like.
For my shutter settings, I prefer to shoot in Tv, which on a Canon camera, stands for Time Value. This is the mode that controls my shutter speed. In a covered arena, my shutter speed is typically set to either 1/800th or 1/1000th of a second. When the camera is in Tv mode, I set the shutter speed, but the camera chooses the aperture value (Av) based on the available light. In this setting, the camera will never choose an aperture value that is faster than the speed of the lens.
The final thing that I tweak is my exposure. As I'm shooting, I'll look at the images that come up. I typically will need to bump up the exposure either 1/3 or 2/3 of an f-stop in order to ensure that my subject is illuminated. In other words, I'm intentionally over-exposing the image. This can backfire on occasion because it will cause the background to be totally blown out (way too light). However, in most cases, it won't matter because I'm just trying to get the subject and don't care about the background.
So in summary:
ISO: Either 200 or 400
Shutter Speed: 1/800th or 1/1000th of a second
Av: A maximum of f/2.8, faster if possible
Manual Exposure: +1/3 or +2/3
One last thing...unless I'm shooting with a lens that has Image Stabilization on it, I always use a mono-pod to help keep the camera still and reduce the risk of blurring the image. Have fun!!
What About Using A Flash?
If I can use a flash in this setting, GREAT. And by flash, I mean a hot-shoe flash, not the camera integrated, pop-up fill flash. That pop-up flash just isn't going to cut it. With a flash unit on, I can evenly light the area and the subject and typically get a decent exposure. However, I'm limited to one or perhaps two exposures with the flash firing. That means that my motor-driven shots are not going to be lit properly by the flash and most will turn out dark. If you have developed your eye enough to know when take the shot at the perfect moment, you should end up with some nice moments!
Lenses Make A Big Difference
Using a high-speed lens is a requirement. You'll want at least an f/2.8 if not faster. Remember, the smaller the f-number, the more light is permitted into the sensor (or film). So while an f/2.8 is good, an f/1.8 lets even MORE light in. Most consumer lenses are in the range of f/4 to f/6. While these are great for outdoor, brightly lit photography, they typically won't cut it in a covered arena.
Learn to Use Manual Settings
The best option for good photography in this situation is to learn to use your manual settings. The sooner you learn to use the manual settings on your camera, the sooner you'll be able to capture the picture you actually want! Don't fret though. Its really not that scary. Learning to use the correct manual settings might seem a little complicated at first. If you've only ever shot in a automatic mode, then yeah, it might be a little intimidating to turn the dial to Tv, Av or *gasp* M. However, there is a lot of photographic power in understanding what these modes can do for you.
So What Are My Settings?
The first thing I look at is how bright it is outside. Based on that, I'll choose my ISO (film speed). I'll usually start with an ISO setting of 400. If it is really bright out, or if light is being reflected into the arena from another building or off of the footing, then I might adjust it down to 200 and see what my shots look like.
For my shutter settings, I prefer to shoot in Tv, which on a Canon camera, stands for Time Value. This is the mode that controls my shutter speed. In a covered arena, my shutter speed is typically set to either 1/800th or 1/1000th of a second. When the camera is in Tv mode, I set the shutter speed, but the camera chooses the aperture value (Av) based on the available light. In this setting, the camera will never choose an aperture value that is faster than the speed of the lens.
The final thing that I tweak is my exposure. As I'm shooting, I'll look at the images that come up. I typically will need to bump up the exposure either 1/3 or 2/3 of an f-stop in order to ensure that my subject is illuminated. In other words, I'm intentionally over-exposing the image. This can backfire on occasion because it will cause the background to be totally blown out (way too light). However, in most cases, it won't matter because I'm just trying to get the subject and don't care about the background.
So in summary:
ISO: Either 200 or 400
Shutter Speed: 1/800th or 1/1000th of a second
Av: A maximum of f/2.8, faster if possible
Manual Exposure: +1/3 or +2/3
One last thing...unless I'm shooting with a lens that has Image Stabilization on it, I always use a mono-pod to help keep the camera still and reduce the risk of blurring the image. Have fun!!
Assisting Other Photographers
I had a wonderful, albeit exhausting, weekend shooting as an assistant photographer for Stephen Lasko Photography. I covered the dressage ring at the Region XI Arab show in Springfield, IL. It entailed 4 days of shooting dressage, sport horse classes, candids and portraits. I had a wonderful time and really enjoyed getting to know Steve and his wife Candy. I'm looking forward to working with them again next year!
Its always an interesting position to be the assistant photographer - especially when I haven't met the official show photographer before. As Forest Gump says, its kind of like a box chocolates cause you never know what you're going to get! I suppose it goes both ways. Steve and Candy were wonderful to work with. I quickly learned their system and was eager to encourage sales. I received very positive feedback both from Steve as well as from the dressage riders when they checked out their proofs.
While I typically don't shoot as an assistant, I would encourage other new photographers out there to do so. It is a great way to get your feet wet if you're new to the business. If you've been around a while, its a great way to network and create lasting friendships with other photographers.
Its always an interesting position to be the assistant photographer - especially when I haven't met the official show photographer before. As Forest Gump says, its kind of like a box chocolates cause you never know what you're going to get! I suppose it goes both ways. Steve and Candy were wonderful to work with. I quickly learned their system and was eager to encourage sales. I received very positive feedback both from Steve as well as from the dressage riders when they checked out their proofs.
While I typically don't shoot as an assistant, I would encourage other new photographers out there to do so. It is a great way to get your feet wet if you're new to the business. If you've been around a while, its a great way to network and create lasting friendships with other photographers.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
The Downside of Event Photography
If you read my last post, then you know that I have been somewhat traumatized by the recent equine deaths at the Rolex Kentucky 3-Day Event. Yesterday was Derby Day. While I didn't attend the Derby itself, I did attend a day-long celebration at Indiana Downs, which included coverage of all the races at Churchill Downs, as well as live racing later that evening. Anyone who watched the Derby on TV probably has heard about Eight Belles, the lovely filly who finished 2nd in the Derby only to break both front legs shortly after crossing the finish line.
While I didn't witness this event from behind the lens of my camera, I must say that I just can't stop thinking about the tragedies that have taken place over the last few months. In addition, I think about it a lot from the viewpoint of a photojournalist. I have never been a particularly good "crash" photographer. I have a tendency to turn away once I see it begin to happen. I know the photos sell, but I just don't have it in me to watch the pain or death of another being -- human or not. I don't go to eventing to see the crashes. I go to watch magnificent animals and incredible partnerships.
While I don't condemn other photographers for doing what they feel is appropriate in regards to crash photos, I do wonder about whether it is a good thing for those photos to publicize the tragic events. Part of me wants to hide all the horrid photos away. Yet part of me feels that the more publicly the photos are posted, and the more horrific they are, the more the public will demand a change. I don't know what the right answer is. Its just something I've been thinking about in lieu of the deaths at Rolex, and that of Eight Belles yesterday at the Derby.
While I didn't witness this event from behind the lens of my camera, I must say that I just can't stop thinking about the tragedies that have taken place over the last few months. In addition, I think about it a lot from the viewpoint of a photojournalist. I have never been a particularly good "crash" photographer. I have a tendency to turn away once I see it begin to happen. I know the photos sell, but I just don't have it in me to watch the pain or death of another being -- human or not. I don't go to eventing to see the crashes. I go to watch magnificent animals and incredible partnerships.
While I don't condemn other photographers for doing what they feel is appropriate in regards to crash photos, I do wonder about whether it is a good thing for those photos to publicize the tragic events. Part of me wants to hide all the horrid photos away. Yet part of me feels that the more publicly the photos are posted, and the more horrific they are, the more the public will demand a change. I don't know what the right answer is. Its just something I've been thinking about in lieu of the deaths at Rolex, and that of Eight Belles yesterday at the Derby.
Spring Is In The Air
Today I spent the morning in the garden dividing Irises and cleaning up the flower beds. It was nearly perfect today weather wise. Warm breezes and a sunny sky made for a fabulous day. I had some fun with my fish eye shooting the flowering crab tree in our front yard. The bees were busy buzzing from blossom to blossom while I shot. Enjoy!
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