Show Me Your Horses

[Miniflash]

Nice ^^^

[Borderfox]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y213/Borderfox/Lot206.jpg

[Borderfox]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y213/Borderfox/NIHS0318.jpg

[Borderfox]

http://photos3.pix.ie/28/37/2837550380EA43BABEA69438111842AF-800.jpg (http://pix.ie/keithjack/727185)

[LaraWit]

Here's a bunch of horse shots.

[silversldr]

Here is one I found along the road one day.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3006/2979119973_977404a4e1_b.jpg

[nzamanda]

50mm 1.8

[nzamanda]

2 more 50mm 1.8s

[S-S]

2 more 50mm 1.8s

those 2 shots together like that are freakishly weird and disturbing LOL (vertically i mean)

[nzamanda]

yeah whoa, didn't even realise they matched up!

[watt100]

A stable with arches !


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3057/2978038772_92fac173de_b.jpg

[cleverer]

A few from me--I own 6 (with one on the way, eeeek!) and take care of 20 that are owned by an organization I run that rehomes Thoroughbreds.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1335/539706104_f9875a8e12.jpg

Two fillies fresh off the track, they became fast friends
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/218/490662167_597732ea59_b.jpg

A filly we bought for 200$ that was donated by a group of women inspired by Barbaro's story. If we did not purchase her, she was on her way to the killers
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3105/2747154977_90098e9ca2_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3285/2747987848_4c8b4939cf.jpg

[cleverer]

some more, they are my favorite subject

A dear friend enjoying a moment with my favorite horse.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2175/2197772470_17a2beb201_b.jpg

The neatest personality in a horse i've ever come across. This is Truckee, and he's ludicrous with a wild sense of humor.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2001/2197419879_97c07a57fb_o.jpg

Snuggling on a cold day
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2291/2255636507_26428e4df1.jpg

[cleverer]

Oh dear, you've got me started!

This is a beautiful filly who injured her knee
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3200/2316166235_809360f3e7.jpg

An old campaigner, he won a lot of money.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3067/2316165991_73576894d6.jpg


One of the most beautiful horses I'd ever seen, he is now competing in Eventing after we healed an injury.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/210/490655898_d4bee641ae.jpg

One of my favorite moments, I looked across the field to see Truckee and his best friend sitting like this on my fiance's shoulders. They had their nostrils over top of his very cold ears, and stood like that a good two minutes, just keeping him warm.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2010/2256436516_0f598d1a0f.jpg

[aCiD99]

Some from last month when I was shooting the Canadian Olympic team at a Charity event.

Ian Millar went first:
http://photos-e.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v331/97/120/81002655/n81002655_37960436_2109.jpg

Accidents were had:
http://photos-g.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v314/97/120/81002655/n81002655_37960446_4415.jpg

http://photos-e.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v314/97/120/81002655/n81002655_37960452_6496.jpg

He got it back together though:
http://photos-g.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v314/97/120/81002655/n81002655_37960454_7226.jpg

Me doin my thing with the real olympic photographers:
http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v331/97/120/81002655/n81002655_38001354_1992.jpg

http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v331/97/120/81002655/n81002655_37952267_74.jpg

http://photos-b.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v314/97/120/81002655/n81002655_37952281_5951.jpg

http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v314/97/120/81002655/n81002655_37952288_8311.jpg

[cleverer]

resurrecting for this noisy shot
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3279/2999549809_de9055ccd3.jpg

[short5]

Nice picture and nice save on the thread.

http://shortwave5.smugmug.com/photos/395944966_vr2vj-L.jpg

[Miniflash]

"Sigh " Horses are so beautiful ..

[Spygel]

Some from last month when I was shooting the Canadian Olympic team at a Charity event.

Ian Millar went first:
http://photos-e.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v331/97/120/81002655/n81002655_37960436_2109.jpg



I LOVE Ian Millar! I got to meet him at the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Invitational- He's a really cool guy.

[tkoutdoor]

This lady offered a brief photo opportunity to me as she was passing by. From the Puyallup Fair. Uncropped. I backed up quickly once and wasn't going to push it trying again, though I would have liked to .

[les_au]

really friendly mare that come up to the fence during a rencent trip. i have croped this photo quite a bit.

[ChristinaRk]

How about a Mexican Rodeo (Charreada)?

The horses expression and the sand are a classic.

[willard3]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v510/willard3/Photography/crop5295.jpg

[short5]

Nice shot Willard and welcome to the forum.

[cleverer]

Not sure if I posted any of these, but they are among my faves. Phillip Dutton and Woodburn, at the Veterinary inspection at Rolex
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2272/2452069040_afee526de8_b.jpg

[Lightchaser]

I wish I'd got her without the others behind, but I reckon it's quite cute anyway.

[S-S]

I wish I'd got her without the others behind, but I reckon it's quite cute anyway.

awesome use of the 10-22 :D great job
*warning - objects seen in photo are closer than they appear*

;-)

[Lightchaser]

yeah she was quite a bit closer than I wanted her to be about 5 mins later when she decided it was time for a hoon and thought she might see if I could be galloped over. Hilarious. We had a great time.

[CanadianKitKat]

Lightchaser - love the foal pic!

[mtnman]

Barrel practice
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk263/mtnman13/IMG_1470.jpg?t=1234678707

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk263/mtnman13/IMG_1472.jpg?t=1234678775

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk263/mtnman13/IMG_1473.jpg?t=1234678813

[Airedale1]

Nothing more exciting than barrel racing and you did a nice job capturing the action.

[speedypalomino]

just a quick snap of Speedy,,, havin lunch,,, :)
http://i358.photobucket.com/albums/oo23/speedypalomino/pasturemino2.jpg

[short5]

Aww hi speedy :)

[AkTomboy]

Im new to the site but love it so far! I will have to dig out the external HD and get some pics on here soon.

[krs2fer]

Barrel practice
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk263/mtnman13/IMG_1470.jpg?t=1234678707

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk263/mtnman13/IMG_1472.jpg?t=1234678775

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk263/mtnman13/IMG_1473.jpg?t=1234678813

That last picture says it all.
Man, you got to love a woman and a horse that has that much drive.........
Nice auction shot......

[QuickDraw]

Always one that won't cooperate.

[Playm]

ohhh that's nice! color all over the place! Interesting treatment too.

[rickdog]

yeah, what kind of pp was that? was there some texture added or was that just from the reduction? and was there some hdr?

[Playm]

When I went out to do some foal photos a couple of weeks ago, a young stallion walked over to say 'hi' - cute guy but kind of a ratty halter. .. so I threw it through a pen & ink filter.. and kind of like it. .. whadayall think?

original & pen & ink version:

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z246/Donalyn06/09%2003%20Mar%20Boyle%20Yearlings/xsm-3665.jpg http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z246/Donalyn06/09%2003%20Mar%20Boyle%20Yearlings/xsm-3665PI.jpg

[QuickDraw]

Thanks. No hdr. It was really cloudy and I just started trying to brighten it up a little and push the color as far as I could in PS. When it got to this point I figured I better stop.

[Borderfox]

When I went out to do some foal photos a couple of weeks ago, a young stallion walked over to say 'hi' - cute guy but kind of a ratty halter. .. so I threw it through a pen & ink filter.. and kind of like it. .. whadayall think?

original & pen & ink version:

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z246/Donalyn06/09%2003%20Mar%20Boyle%20Yearlings/xsm-3665.jpg http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z246/Donalyn06/09%2003%20Mar%20Boyle%20Yearlings/xsm-3665PI.jpg

Lovely job

[Borderfox]

Started using the remote camera more at the shows I do. Both shots 5d with 15mm fisheye shot using Calumet brand remotes. Easy enough to match up the rider to the shot. Have both cameras time synched and drop the remote folder into the jump one and they should match up according to time
Coilog Equestrian Centre
http://photos4.pix.ie/71/A6/71A6672975F44CD3A395E052C215624E-800.jpg (http://pix.ie/keithjack/899686)

Dunany Cross Country
http://photos2.pix.ie/C7/B2/C7B27FA0E1F7422F88534F335805F121-800.jpg (http://pix.ie/keithjack/870565)

[Borderfox]

Wouldnt be a great jumper but looked superb on the flat
http://photos4.pix.ie/68/69/68697A1A95094824A1BD3DA5D8AD264A-800.jpg (http://pix.ie/keithjack/869724)

[Borderfox]

Mum and daughter
http://photos2.pix.ie/FD/D5/FDD5999A48DA4C91B3D2E98101B5AC6A-800.jpg (http://pix.ie/keithjack/869710)

[rickdog]

cool shots, Borderfox! that first one is a neat angle! so my first question is, because i haven't seen this out here in CA, do they normally run riders together like that? or was this just messing around. and what kind of protection do you use with the camera in such a dangerous spot?

[Borderfox]

The run groups of 2/3 and 4 depending on whether the competition is pairs/trebles or 4's

I will find a place for the camera out of the direct line of the jump and behind a support beam. The first shot the camera is behind the bottom part of the jump which is around 200kg and only these types of jump I will use the remote under, other jumps I will put it on a tripod to the side out of the way. The second jump the camera is behind the support beam that holds up part of the rail sectioning off the jump and means that rider or horse can come into contact with camera or vice a versa. Rider safety is paramount in placing these remotes.

[Borderfox]

Give us a kiss :)
http://photos4.pix.ie/D4/FC/D4FCA74C09B74842A3A2A8961512C590-800.jpg (http://pix.ie/keithjack/858994)

[Borderfox]

Neal Fearon, Longing Grand Prix, RDS 2008
http://photos4.pix.ie/45/55/45551F492DF14724A3BF2D83FCF02AC3-800.jpg (http://pix.ie/keithjack/833154)

[Borderfox]

One of the few times you see a hunt in the city, Kilkenny Foxhounds RDS 2008
http://photos5.pix.ie/D4/D7/D4D75C3A539E428DB1BC4F10ACF1EDFA-800.jpg (http://pix.ie/keithjack/833156)

[Playm]

borderfox.... that black and white is fabulous. I like the others too.. but the b/w really rings my chimes.

[Playm]

Borderfox.. I didn't see those remote shots right away... those are cool!!

rickdog.. we use to board a welsh for a young gal who would take him on (I think it's called) trials.. or trail trials.. or something like that (I don't do much english riding shooting).. but from the photos she showed, they were jumping together. .. from what I gather, they did part of the events in 'teams'.. so they'd go over the jumps together. If I recall, it was somewhere either in Sacramento or Yuba county that it was being done. (??)

[Borderfox]

At one stage during the competition they were jumping together

[Borderfox]

This shot ended up front cover of Irelands Equestrian
http://photos3.pix.ie/86/6F/866F64652675413F89A55AB9DE9BD062-800.jpg (http://pix.ie/keithjack/814412)

[CanadianKitKat]

Gorgeous stuff there Borderfox!

[Borderfox]

A lot of the jumping shots are with the Sigma 120-300 f2.8, the black and white is with the 85mm f1.2L and the remotes are 15mm fisheye.

Thanks for the comments, nice to keep the thread going..

Lovely stuff on your website CanadianKitKat

[rickdog]

here's our two boys...

courage (with toni behind him), this was taken during the fall of last year.
354457

and here's me on toni. yeah, my wife had him setup for dressage practice and i jumped on for a little ride wearing jeans, boots and her helmet. pretty mixed up, i know, but toni was looking nice today...
354458

[short5]

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j23/shortwave5/POTN569pp.jpg

[Borderfox]

Short5 thats really nice, rickdog cracking first shot

[Playm]

Short5 .. Very nice shot. My cousin was with the Old Guard a few years back. He (& his wife) were active in restoring the barns & a few other projects regarding the horses.

[LA Smith]

Give us a kiss :)
http://photos4.pix.ie/D4/FC/D4FCA74C09B74842A3A2A8961512C590-800.jpg (http://pix.ie/keithjack/858994)

Beautiful shot! I love it. The pup's face seems a little hot, but still a very nice capture.

[rickdog]

... rickdog cracking first shot
thanks! (i think?);)

[foxhound]

Nice shots Borderfox !!!

[speedypalomino]

the sun finally came out today,, for Speedy that meant NAP TIME!! LOL!!!
http://i358.photobucket.com/albums/oo23/speedypalomino/nappnpiggy.jpg

[short5]

Short5 thats really nice, rickdog cracking first shot

Short5 .. Very nice shot. My cousin was with the Old Guard a few years back. He (& his wife) were active in restoring the barns & a few other projects regarding the horses.

Thank you:)

Another from last weekend
http://shortwave5.smugmug.com/photos/504937843_cf2Aq-XL.jpg

[matonanjin]

Great capture! You nailed the timing, exposure and focus.

[rickdog]

Thank you:)

Another from last weekend
http://shortwave5.smugmug.com/photos/504937843_cf2Aq-XL.jpg
great shot! i love the apex part of the jump and even an interesting downhill. makes me wonder though, and maybe someone has some ideas, why does it seem most jumpers prefer the take off shots like:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=7645343&postcount=348
and not that it's a bad shot (it's a great shot borderfox, in the rain too! awesome!) just wondering what's so special about that angle? (keep in mind that i'm merely a trail/pleasure rider)

[short5]

great shot! i love the apex part of the jump and even an interesting downhill. makes me wonder though, and maybe someone has some ideas, why does it seem most jumpers prefer the take off shots like:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=7645343&postcount=348
and not that it's a bad shot (it's a great shot borderfox, in the rain too! awesome!) just wondering what's so special about that angle? (keep in mind that i'm merely a trail/pleasure rider)
I don't know that most prefer that. Maybe in the hunter jumper ring because they can see their horse using it's back end, and tucking its front legs? Once it is off it is just airborne.

[Borderfox]

I would go by what sells the most, I use express digital to sell on the day so I can look back and see what shots/type sold.

[Borderfox]

Sometimes with the hunter-trials/cross country the riders like the shots just before landing where the Horse has there legs out-stretched.

[Borderfox]

Spirit had a good sniff today
http://photos5.pix.ie/BB/37/BB3757D94D914785ADB804104534EC1A-800.jpg (http://pix.ie/keithjack/921363)

[CanadianKitKat]

Borderfox, I have a very similar picture ;-)

http://kitkat987.smugmug.com/photos/295355491_bnJ9g-L-5.jpg

[Playm]

Ranger gave his opinion from a different view point.

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z246/Donalyn06/Ranger/Lip011108-3571.jpg ;)

[Borderfox]

Great shots

[CanadianKitKat]

What a bunch of goofy horses we have :lol:

[rickdog]

we did a show yesterday. my wife shot the jumping and i stood out in the dusty field and shot cross country (yeah, it's already dusty out here in CA). actually, i had the misfortune of being overtaken by a huge dust devil! all i could to was hunker down and protect the camera. after that i was pretty much covered with dust and grass particles.

it was actually my first time out there shooting xcountry, so i had to pick a good location where i could maximize my shots. there were 4 different courses throughout the day with up to 3 riders going at the same time. all in all it was fun, even though i was covered in dust, suntan lotion and sweat when the day was over.

the final course gave me the best vantage point to catch 4 consecutive obstacles. these were taken with an XT no less and the 70-200 f4L. unfortunately, reducing these seems to have done something weird with the quality, especially around the face and helmet (on my monitor anyway). otherwise, the originals are really sharp. i can even read the riders watch on some of them!

jump 10
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3656/3421222843_7e936698cc_b.jpg
jump 11
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3331/3421222847_98004afecf_b.jpg
splashdown (12)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3415/3421222855_fc923333ed_b.jpg
race through the water
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3333/3421222863_08fa1b1d59_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3546/3421222883_437f9b6049_b.jpg
13 and gone!
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3547/3421222887_c8f3d82b95_b.jpg

[CanadianKitKat]

Great shots Rickdog!

[rickdog]

Great shots Rickdog!
thanks CKK! :D

now we just have another 1600+ shots to go through!

Sometimes with the hunter-trials/cross country the riders like the shots just before landing where the Horse has there legs out-stretched.

I would go by what sells the most, I use express digital to sell on the day so I can look back and see what shots/type sold.

I don't know that most prefer that. Maybe in the hunter jumper ring because they can see their horse using it's back end, and tucking its front legs? Once it is off it is just airborne.

about my take-off shot question a few posts ago. i just notice it a lot in magazines and maybe its just that the portrait orientation of those shots tend to work better in that kind of print media.

[Playm]

Nice shots Rickdog. I'm not ready for the dust and heat... you can keep it down there for a while longer in Paso Robles, ok?

[Borderfox]

A Collage I did for a friends Daughter, I used Lumapix Fotofusion
http://photos2.pix.ie/52/41/52414013BB914ED293B22945A8A2C8A1-800.jpg (http://pix.ie/keithjack/924077)

[Borderfox]

Rickdog, I cant see any of the pictures in your post?

[matonanjin]

A Collage I did for a friends Daughter, I used Lumapix Fotofusion


Borderfox,

Cool concept.:D

[Playm]

Borderfox, I like the collage idea.
re: Rickdog's pix, I got red xs too until I copied the image addy (properties) for each & opened each in another window. .. after I did that, they then showed in this string. .. I'm not sure why.. but that's what happened.

[rickdog]

Rickdog, I cant see any of the pictures in your post?
yeah, i get that a lot when linking from picasaweb. i guess i'll have to either attach them 2 at a time or fire up my flickr account... working on it... (lousy picasaweb!:mad:)

[Borderfox]

Heres another Collage I did, there was 220 Horses in this 1 metre class and they didnt roll the arena once so no breaks either food or toilet :(

http://photos5.pix.ie/57/6A/576A3DBC95D846F2ABE827B4EE84DE20-800.jpg (http://pix.ie/keithjack/924153)

[rickdog]

cool collages Borderfox! how large do you print those? i bet they turn out pretty awesome!

anyway, i fixed my previous pics by loading them from flickr. seems to work now.

thanks for the comments too Playm!

[Borderfox]

Rickdog, the race through the water is my favourite. Weather looks great too.

The head shot collage I had printed A0 and everything is crystal clear, Fotofusion outputs at 300dpi and whatever size you want, superb program and something you can add easily to orders with added value when you frame them also.

[Playm]

220 horses with no potty break?! . .. yikes. Those are the shows where you try and limit your fluid intake!
Are the sales pretty good for shows like that?

I feel pretty fortunate, (time to count my blessings, LOL). The cuttings I shoot have anywhere from 90 - 130 rides .. each 2.5 minutes .. and a cattle change every 10 to 12 rides. The cattle change usually takes about 20 minutes.

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z246/Donalyn06/Cutting%20Shots/Work2-0136SM.jpg

[Borderfox]

Beautiful picture of the two of them at work, real nice clean background too.

[rickdog]

what type of software/resizing do you folks use to get the pics smaller yet crystal clear for the web?

oh by the way, beautiful cutting shot!

[short5]

what type of software/resizing do you folks use to get the pics smaller yet crystal clear for the web?

oh by the way, beautiful cutting shot!Most my shots are loaded to smugmug or a free photobucket account. I choose the size I want and just grab a link. I don't know that mine are crystal clear though:lol:

[Playm]

The shot I just posted was sold to him for his website w/a larger one for a print ad. (he's a trainer) I don't know if it makes a difference or not, but I downsize the ones for internet display to 300dpi @ about 2.5" or less. .. I do most of my initial PP in Lightroom. Photobucket is used for sharing pix here and on a couple of other chats.

Thanks. .. That's a nice arena with a tall back wall. ... cuts out most clutter .. Not all cutting arenas are as nice. I had to deal with background issues at some other events. .. like this one (not too bad of a background.. though I cropped out most of the building) .. This was a "Reined Cowhorse" event:
http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z246/Donalyn06/August%2008/JCH-6928sm.jpg

.. but the county fair was the worst .. those bleachers are a bear to ignore...
http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z246/Donalyn06/August%2008/AHJ-3301sm.jpg

[rickdog]

The shot I just posted was sold to him for his website w/a larger one for a print ad. (he's a trainer) I don't know if it makes a difference or not, but I downsize the ones for internet display to 300dpi @ about 2.5" or less. .. I do most of my initial PP in Lightroom. Photobucket is used for sharing pix here and on a couple of other chats.

Thanks. .. That's a nice arena with a tall back wall. ... cuts out most clutter .. Not all cutting arenas are as nice. I had to deal with background issues at some other events. .. like this one (not too bad of a background.. though I cropped out most of the building) .. This was a "Reined Cowhorse" event:
http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z246/Donalyn06/August%2008/JCH-6928sm.jpg

.. but the county fair was the worst .. those bleachers are a bear to ignore...
http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z246/Donalyn06/August%2008/AHJ-3301sm.jpg
i hear you Playm, sometimes you get stuck with some crappy backgrounds. Sunday we had to shoot some jumping looking at all the ranch houses and structures, because the way the course was setup, that was the best location we could find to get the most front or side shots and not end up with all butt shots!:lol:

as for the 300dpi, i don't use lightroom (yeah i'm one of the linux people :-P) so how does that compare to ppi? and do you mean you resize them to 2.5"?

[Borderfox]

I use www.pix.ie to host my web pictures and upload original sizes onto there and they resize them and provide img code too.

[Playm]

I guess what I mean is ppi. .. old habits die hard. I've been submitting ads to publications since before the internet/pixel revolution. LOL. They end up aprox 750pxs wide (for H shots) for internet use. I don't really like to upload original sized images to the free/public photo sites.. because there's nothing preventing people from snagging your images. .. at least on photobucket.. The clients are directed to my zenfolio site. (ShootMyPix.com).

[Borderfox]

On the way to a show I pulled over when I saw this scene
http://photos4.pix.ie/4C/95/4C958A4E4F6341A6A3ACED6DD39FF66C-800.jpg (http://pix.ie/keithjack/923577)

[rickdog]

Nice shots Rickdog. I'm not ready for the dust and heat... you can keep it down there for a while longer in Paso Robles, ok?
i shouldn't have said anything! i'm at work now and it's starting to rain! :lol: (well, we need it anyway)

whoa! cool image Borderfox. what kind of pp did you do on that?

[Playm]

Oh My Gosh Borderfox... that is jaw dropping Gorgeous!! That needs to be on canvas.. sized to at least 20" X 30" . (I don't know how many cm that would be... but it's large!)
That is an award winner for certain!!

[short5]

On the way to a show I pulled over when I saw this scene
http://photos4.pix.ie/4C/95/4C958A4E4F6341A6A3ACED6DD39FF66C-800.jpg (http://pix.ie/keithjack/923577)Great capture!

.. but the county fair was the worst .. those bleachers are a bear to ignore...




As for the bleacher problem above^^ try a larger aperture for a more shallow DOF.

[Borderfox]

Just a conversion to black and white with a good dose of contrast, you wouldnt believe it but this was shot about 100 yards from the largest motorway in Ireland

[matonanjin]

Hey BorderFox,

Great image and conversion.

[rickdog]

I guess what I mean is ppi. .. old habits die hard. I've been submitting ads to publications since before the internet/pixel revolution. LOL. They end up aprox 750pxs wide (for H shots) for internet use. I don't really like to upload original sized images to the free/public photo sites.. because there's nothing preventing people from snagging your images. .. at least on photobucket.. The clients are directed to my zenfolio site. (ShootMyPix.com).
well, i figured it out. i forgot i had originally resized and reduced the quality to be able to add them as attachments. then i decided to post them all together for effect and threw them in, crappy quality and all. i resized them to 1600px wide and saved them at maximum quality this time and it seems to have helped. even though flickr resized them again to 1024. i think.

they look better than before anyway...

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=7678154&postcount=375

[Borderfox]

A friends Horse having a roll and my Horse in the background galloping up to try and stop her
http://photos3.pix.ie/CA/6F/CA6FA5A5963C4596A2A1E64E1E11A77E-800.jpg (http://pix.ie/keithjack/787005)

[Borderfox]

Zara Philips from Badminton 2008 over the water jump, 2 shot composite
http://photos5.pix.ie/47/E0/47E04083002441F98B31E53703E133F9-800.jpg (http://pix.ie/keithjack/763010)

[matonanjin]

@Playm:
Cool cutting shot. Well over 75% of my shooting and income is from reiners and cutters.

[rickdog]

A friends Horse having a roll and my Horse in the background galloping up to try and stop her
http://photos3.pix.ie/CA/6F/CA6FA5A5963C4596A2A1E64E1E11A77E-800.jpg (http://pix.ie/keithjack/787005)
nice shot! sweet depth of field! would you mind sharing the lense and settings you used for this?

and how do you create those cool slideshow videos that are on your blogger site?

[Playm]

Ron - Matonanjin - thanks. I noticed (on your site) that you judge. .. reining? cutting?. (I use to show cutting) I tried my hand at some reining shots last summer (St. Jude benefit). .. There was definately a learning curve (for me) timing the spins.. No one really said what they were looking for.

Here's two tightly cropped shots of me learning that a split second can make the difference catching a cross over correctly.. or not. (?) Is the first more desireable than the second?
http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z246/Donalyn06/August%2008/smreining-6784.jpghttp://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z246/Donalyn06/August%2008/SMreining-6638.jpg

The slides seemed pretty straight foreward.. though it was interesting to see which horses stopped with their backs curled .. vs the ones that were high headed.

[SpanishLustre]

Haven't posted in here in awhile!

This first one is a Thoroughbred Mare, named "Missy" [for short] that was at my barn for a little while. She is gone now, to be bred I believe! Hopefully have some cute little foals in about a year to play with!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v496/cascas2/IMG_0268.jpg

My sweet Ginger,
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v496/cascas2/IMG_0589.jpg

Poko, investigating
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v496/cascas2/n504554339_76273_4673.jpg

My old man, Blackie
http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1971/229/62/654835160/n654835160_5578137_7758.jpg

Ginger and my sister
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v496/cascas2/n504554339_79640_2206.jpg

Finally, kisses!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v496/cascas2/IMG_0533.jpg

Just wanted to say, everyone has some amazing pictures in this thread! I've loved looking at them all!

[rickdog]

well, welcome back SpanishLustre! we need more equine people around here, this seems to be the only active equine related thread! lot's of nice horses too!

anyway, this here's a fun one. on the ground is gold medalist leslie law (gbr, eventing, athens 2004) giving a clinic and in the air is silver medalist Gina Miles (usa, eventing, hong kong 2008 ) getting some training.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3642/3424988814_4c421f2a15_b.jpg

[Borderfox]

Playm, I like the first shot, in the second the Horse seems to be going over on themselves.

Spanishlustre, the first and last shots are gorgeous

[matonanjin]

Hey Playm,

Thanks for visiting my website and sorry for the delayed response. I was at a farm shoot all day yesterday and I didn't turn on the computer last night. I didn't even download from my cards!

Yes, I am a National Reining Horse and American Quarter Horse judge. I judge reinings primarily. While I used to show a lot of cutters I don't judge them.

You are absolutely right it is hard to time the spins. I spent a good hour one time shooting a guy for his website. The horse would really turn cute but just catching that exact millisecond.

You are also right that the first of your two shots is preferable although both are good. To the uneducated eye the second one is probably going to look better because it shows more motion. This is also why so many otherwise good photogs don't make good equine photogs if they don't know the industry.

In both images the horse is really crossing over nice in front, as you said. But in the second one the rider has her hand way too far to the left. As a result she is 1) Making it look like she is dragging the horse, and 2) the horse is really dropping its shoulder down into the spin. Both of these are negative from a judge's perspective.

But again, both are good captures.

It is rare that I sell a spinning picture at a show. 99.9% of my sales are stopping pictures.

Ron

[Playm]

Welcome back Spanish Lustre. I really like all the photos in this string. .. I agree with Rickdog. .. it's good to see more of the horse folks.

Thanks matonanjin (Ron). I appreciate the feedback and the Education! Your comments are enlightening. I've seen some great action shots of the mane flying during the spins (with a nice cross over).. but I found myself trying to time the front legs correctly.. and have sort of decided that a flying mane is someone's lucky shot - It's always nice when it all comes together. LOL

I recently went to a neighboring reining ranch to get some snapshots of their youngsters. The yearlings were playing in the pond.
http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z246/Donalyn06/09%2003%20Mar%20Boyle%20Yearlings/BRsmSG-3744.jpg

I went back two weeks later to get a few shots of the new arrivals (more babies in another week or so). We'll need to halter the mares to keep them off the fence. .. the fences annoy me.
http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z246/Donalyn06/09%2003%20Mar%20Boyle%20Yearlings/09%2003%20Boyle%20Foals/SM32809-4535.jpghttp://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z246/Donalyn06/09%2003%20Mar%20Boyle%20Yearlings/09%2003%20Boyle%20Foals/SM32809-4484.jpg
http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z246/Donalyn06/09%2003%20Mar%20Boyle%20Yearlings/09%2003%20Boyle%20Foals/SM32809-4553.jpg

[Borderfox]

Another lovely set of shots Playm.

I am out at two shows over the weekend, one indoor (ponies jumping) and one outdoor (riding club) so should be a busy weekend.

Hows everybody else fixed?

[Atlixco]

Happy "Nero"
16 hands

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r131/Atlixco/altavel2087_1.jpg

[Borderfox]

Very nice Grey

[CanadianKitKat]

Great shot Atlixo :-)

Although I must say, if that were my horse and a dog were chasing it like that, I'd be too busy chasing down that dog and having a life changing chat with it to take a picture!

[Atlixco]

ooh no: my dogs and the horse a good friends there are always playing like this and nearly every day, but yes, I understand your reaction: the picture does say that they are friends, thanks for your comments..Great shot Atlixo :-)

Although I must say, if that were my horse and a dog were chasing it like that, I'd be too busy chasing down that dog and having a life changing chat with it to take a picture!

[Lightchaser]

Yeah ... loving the grey shot. Great capture.

[CanadianKitKat]

ooh no: my dogs and the horse a good friends there are always playing like this and nearly every day, but yes, I understand your reaction: the picture does say that they are friends, thanks for your comments..

Fair enough, your horse, your dog, just looks like a vet bill waiting to happen to me, whether for the dog who gets kicked or stepped on or when the horse goes through the fence, only time will tell ;)

[matonanjin]

Playm:
Great shots on the babies! The one sorrel baby by himself is really a money shot. Did you show that to the owners?

What reining ranch? I probably know them.

Ron

[Playm]

Ron. .. I sent them a few images sized for their website w/access to see the rest on my site. It wasn't a job that I did for them. .. I'm working on a project and needed some baby shots. .. hence the 'trade'.

Atlixo.. I like the shot of the grey.. but I tend to agree with Kat. (We hear about quite a few horse/dog accidents in my day job.. so I tend to have a preventative attitude) You could almost do a verticle crop on the horse and still have a really nice image.

[SouthernJumper]

Here's my girl! Photobucket resized it so it's kind of funky

http://i457.photobucket.com/albums/qq295/mcl2ualr/P3165773.jpg

[SpanishLustre]

Thanks for the warm welcome back everyone!
I agree as well, on the "we need more equine people!"

Playm, gorgeous first shot up there of the yearling in the pond! Will be looking forward to more foal shots when you get over there again :)

Here's a shot from the Maplefest in Holstein, Ontario last weekend.. two hard-working beauties! This is one my sister got.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v496/cascas2/IMG_4101.jpg

[Atlixco]

great!!!!!! Belgian team!!!!!! Hard workers!!!!Thanks for sharing

[Borderfox]

Spirit & Rogue in funny form today
http://photos4.pix.ie/AA/87/AA876A163544406AAD2FC88F8E1EB8E1-800.jpg (http://pix.ie/keithjack/928075)

[RagingMike]

Champion standardbred pacer Artiscape, at Winbak Farm. Walden, NY

[RagingMike]

2008 Harness Horse of the Year SOMEBEACHSOMEWHERE winning the Breeders Crown at The Meadowlands in NJ.

[RagingMike]

Yearling standardbred at Blue Chip Farm in Wallkill NY.

[Elizabeth44]

Gypsy Vanners, beautiful horses. This was a little stud I shot down in Florida.

[lenneth]

wow some really great and sharp pictures here. keep them coming. love em!

[short5]

Nice shots everyone. I love the back lighting Elizabeth.
A shot from last weekend. Once race season is over maybe I get time to shoot my guys a bit.

http://shortwave5.smugmug.com/photos/510944174_XbcRp-XL.jpg

[LimberlostPhtgrhy]

Gorgeous shots, really makes me miss my horses.

[CanadianKitKat]

Great shots everyone.

Elizabeth, great pic of the Vanner. The light you got on him is absolutely gorgeous. I shot a Vanner this past winter playing in the snow. I'll be going back once the green grass is nice and long around here to take some more of him. They're such beautiful and unique horses.

http://kitkat987.smugmug.com/photos/452524110_yNbYh-L.jpg

http://kitkat987.smugmug.com/photos/452520105_5YVb8-L.jpg

http://kitkat987.smugmug.com/photos/452528234_xmsW6-L.jpg

[LimberlostPhtgrhy]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/Novallee/287.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/Novallee/Watchin.jpg

Too dark and noisy but I loved it anyway.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/Novallee/Jumper.jpg

[Borderfox]

Work last weekend
http://photos3.pix.ie/A3/F4/A3F4905928924D8C9AFA7ABA8915F656-800.jpg (http://pix.ie/keithjack/931589)

http://photos4.pix.ie/84/CC/84CCDC7AAF7D43959B93270CD9B7B115-800.jpg (http://pix.ie/keithjack/931568)

[FocalPrincess]

Great shots everyone.

Elizabeth, great pic of the Vanner. The light you got on him is absolutely gorgeous. I shot a Vanner this past winter playing in the snow. I'll be going back once the green grass is nice and long around here to take some more of him. They're such beautiful and unique horses.

http://kitkat987.smugmug.com/photos/452524110_yNbYh-L.jpg

http://kitkat987.smugmug.com/photos/452520105_5YVb8-L.jpg

http://kitkat987.smugmug.com/photos/452528234_xmsW6-L.jpg

There are some beautiful shots in here, but these really caught my eye! GORGEOUS critter!

[Lightchaser]

Oooh yes. Great job CandianKitKat. Fantastic with the white-black-white-black-white from left to right on that first shot.

[SpanishLustre]

Beautiful Gypsy Vanner shots, that is one gorgeous breed of horse!!!

I was out at my best friend's barn the other day...
Here is Jess and her mare, Emmie:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v496/cascas2/Jess1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v496/cascas2/Jess2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v496/cascas2/Jess4.jpg

And one of the school horses, anxiously awaiting dinner ;)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v496/cascas2/Bismark1.jpg

[S-S]

wow are those vanners real? they look like the real-life-model for my little pony! what amazing looking animals

[CanadianKitKat]

wow are those vanners real? they look like the real-life-model for my little pony! what amazing looking animals

Haha, that's funny. The one I shot was quite the character. Super friendly.

SpanishLustre - I'm in love with that horse. He's absolutely adorable, love how he's put together! Both great shots too, you really caught some emotion between horse and rider.

[matonanjin]

I had the opportunity to shoot a little local show here the Saturday b/4 Easter. It is the Nebraska Hunter Jumper Schooling Show Circuit. What fun! The stable it was held at is probably 20 miles from my house, has been there 10 or 20 years and I have never photographed there. These kids had a ball and it didn't matter if someone got 1st or 5th out of 6th, he/she cheered just as much. We get so caught up in trying to photograph the big events this was a reminder of what it is all about. If I don't make a penny it was worth the day spent!

Canon 5D, 100mm F/2, ISO 3200, 1/500, F2

1.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3658/3461708267_9cc478d3e4.jpg
2.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3545/3462524474_f24d7c8420.jpg

[matonanjin]

And then here are a few from last weekend. It was a National Cutting Horse Assoc. point show in Denison, IA. I shot from 8AM to 8 PM both days and was beat!

Had the main lighting about 10 feet to my right. Fired 2 Sunpak 611's, one on full, one on half power into a silver umbrella. I am guessing I was 50 feet from the action. Then for fill I had another silver umbrella in the corner of the arena to my left. I fired another 611 and a Sunpak 612 both on full. Again a guess but about 70-80' from horse.

Canon 5D, Canon 70-200 F/4, 1/200, F/4.

1.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3608/3460766675_5893d7e844_o.jpg

2.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3496/3460767249_97222e5762_o.jpg

3.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3489/3461581912_ecbc05356e_o.jpg

[Playm]

How amazing. .. I was JUST coming into the horse string to ask who has had experience using strobes during some of the horse events. ... and lo and behold.. here are examples of EXACTLY what I will be doing!!

Just a few days ago, I got an Opus light kit with white umbrellas. My first question concerned how the horses would react, in general, to a couple of open umbrellas. (I know that one or two of mine would prefer to be in the next county until they got 'acquainted' with it). I wouldn't anticipate any problems with the flash.. but was having second thoughts re the decision between soft box/ diffusers or the umbrellas that I chose.

Ron, I can't begin to express how helpful your above post has been!! Thank You!

It looks like you were shooting from the judge's stand. (?) Did you have many shots where the turn back or herd holders blocked the light? Did you try it first with only one flash per umbrella? .. Did you try it with only one light source instead of two?

Two of the cutting clubs that I shoot will be having all of this year's shows in covered arenas. .. so the timing of your post, couldn't be better.

I did one covered arena show with an on-camera flash. .. but don't want to do that again. http://shootmypix.com/f185502601

[matonanjin]

How amazing. .. I was JUST coming into the horse string to ask who has had experience using strobes during some of the horse events. ... and lo and behold.. here are examples of EXACTLY what I will be doing!!

Just a few days ago, I got an Opus light kit with white umbrellas. My first question concerned how the horses would react, in general, to a couple of open umbrellas. (I know that one or two of mine would prefer to be in the next county until they got 'acquainted' with it). I wouldn't anticipate any problems with the flash.. but was having second thoughts re the decision between soft box/ diffusers or the umbrellas that I chose.

Ron, I can't begin to express how helpful your above post has been!! Thank You!

It looks like you were shooting from the judge's stand. (?) Did you have many shots where the turn back or herd holders blocked the light? Did you try it first with only one flash per umbrella? .. Did you try it with only one light source instead of two?

Two of the cutting clubs that I shoot will be having all of this year's shows in covered arenas. .. so the timing of your post, couldn't be better.

I did one covered arena show with an on-camera flash. .. but don't want to do that again. http://shootmypix.com/f185502601

I knew that you needed this information and that is why I posted it.;) I'm sure you know by now we are all here in this group to serve only you:lol:

You mentioned white umbrellas. Are you talking shoot through, diffuser? I have actually thought about that to get softer light but I'm not sure one can muster enough power. I use silver (reflector, of course) umbrellas and because of the distance I am having to gang two powerful strobes. I know the light on these is hard but I haven't come up with something better. This might be a good topic for a separate thread? I've thought about three strobes through an umbrellas but anyone close would probably get a sunburn:eek:

I've never had a horse have a problem with an umbrella, especially cutters since the umbrellas are clear back by the judge's stand. Sometime's during warm up one of the riders might have to have his horse get used to them. But no one has ever said anything. And speaking of judge's stand, yes, every cutting I've shot the photog is required to shoot from there. The judge, of course, is always in the middle and then I will position myself opposite the announcer.

And, yes, the turn back horse, not the herd holder, will occasionally create a shadow. Nothing you can do about it. If someone orders one of these prints I will use a layer mask to selectively lighten the shadow. Shooting typically 250+ shots per day I don't have time to do that to all the proofs with a shadow and maybe it has cost me some sales. I am thinking about trying lights on each corner with equal output. Then when the horse is in the middle where you would never shoot it you would have a one to one lighting ratio. As the horse chases the cow across the arena you would get an increasing light ratio towards each side. I am just thinking outloud here. Maybe we can put our heads together?:confused: At one of the big hunter/jumper shows the guy hangs lights from ceiling beams.

You've learned not to use on camera flash! We all have:rolleyes: Interesting that you mentioned that though. Quick story and then I will stop. I shot a cutting in central Nebraska over a year ago. Drove six hours to get there and it was a three day cutting. Got there and my radio transmitters (Quantums) and back ups would not work on any channel! I don't know if there were microwave signals interfering or what. But I resorted to on camera, actually a Sunpak 622 on a bracket with a Stofen diffuser. But I still got some "flash eye".

That's not the interesting part. I used to use PBase before moving everything to my own domain. But some idiot found this show on Pbase a few weeks ago. And he left all sorts of comments referring to what an idiot I was for the "flash eye". Which didn't bother me in the least because after a year no customers are going to be looking anymore. But his comments were laced with the "F" word and some kids cruising pBase sure could have come across them. :o It was undoubtedly some "Craigslist" photographer with the new Rebel and a kit lens that is now a photographer and just learned about the evils of on camera flash. But incredibly unprofessional and no true photog would have done it. Sorry about the rant.

And everybody, sorry about the length of this. But I thought Playm and maybe others would find this helpful about the lights. And maybe it will stimulate some discussion about what others are doing with lights.

[short5]

I am no lighting expert so do not have proper advice on how to adjust your lighting but I will make a few observations. First off your lighting is really bad. I am not trying to insult you but maybe help with a little honesty. You have shadows that don't look good, hot spots, and light fall off. In other words very uneven lighting. If you are trying to present yourself as a pro or break into the business I would not post those pictures to customers. You are better having no reputation to start than a bad one. To my eye it appears the lights are too low and too close to the camera. Pros tend to light from above with multiple strobes and then fill from the sides a bit rather than shooting at the subjects. Lighting differently than what you are doing will make for more even natural lighting and avoid the eye flash, hot spots in front, and light fall off to the back of the image. Look into the flash forum and sports shooting forums on here for some solid advice on proper technique. You should also find examples of how it should look and you will realize what I am saying. I look forward to seeing your shots improve.

[rickdog]

hey mr. matonanjin. do you find that a shutterspeed of 1/200 is sufficient for using flash on fast moving subjects? the reason i ask is because i'm in the market for an ocf or strobe setup and i'm trying to decide whether to go completely away from hotshoe flashes (i.e. alienbees) or to go for a 580ex II setup and be able to use hss when necessary. at this time the flash is mainly for portraiture, however, i can't help but think about that high speed capability that the 580 could give (in broad daylight or with fast moving subjects).

(and sorry, i haven't read the book yet, i'm next in line at the library!)

[short5]

Here is a shot I took and got lucky in that the pro's strobes fired as my shutter was open. This is a night time event with very poor lighting. The photographer here has a few big strobes on the light poles. There is no rafters to hang them from so he uses his only option to get the lights high. My on camera flash played a role here which probably altered the effect he was getting. Again not a perfect shot and just lucky but I think it represents a better looking lighting and maybe will direct you in the right direction.

http://shortwave5.smugmug.com/photos/354750348_Mv4HD-XL.jpg

[rickdog]

Here is a shot I took and got lucky in that the pro's strobes fired as my shutter was open. This is a night time event with very poor lighting. The photographer here has a few big strobes on the light poles. There is no rafters to hang them from so he uses his only option to get the lights high. My on camera flash played a role here which probably altered the effect he was getting. Again not a perfect shot and just lucky but I think it represents a better looking lighting and maybe will direct you in the right direction.

http://shortwave5.smugmug.com/photos/354750348_Mv4HD-XL.jpg
what about you, short, what shutter speed did you use with this shot? those barrel horses move pretty fast, is 1/200 good enough for you? it is a cool shot by the way!

[short5]

what about you, short, what shutter speed did you use with this shot? those barrel horses move pretty fast, is 1/200 good enough for you? it is a cool shot by the way!

That shot is 1/200 f/3.2 iso 3200 with a 580ex and the luck of the stadium strobes. The slow shutter speed imparts some motion blur in the feet but it works for the shot. I was shooting as a spectator with my 580 flash so my settings were for that. I imagine, but am not a flash expert, if I were controlling the strobes I could set my camera with a smaller aperture and lower iso. This would make the shot totally stopped by the strobes in which case 1/60 should be fast enough even. If it was totally dark shutter speed is irrelevant. I could have a 30second shutter but the flash is what would expose the shot. In flash photography you are essentially dealing with two exposures. The exposure from the ambient light and the exposure from the flash. If you have enough flash to expose properly you can set the camera so that it would essentially have a black image without the flash. The flash, which is MUCH faster than the shutter exposes the scene and freezes the action. If there is lots of ambient light a faster shutter is needed to stop the action and the flash fills in the lighting. Make sense? I am not great at teaching so ask if you have specifics or if I did not describe that well.~Zane

[matonanjin]

I am no lighting expert so do not have proper advice on how to adjust your lighting but I will make a few observations. First off your lighting is really bad. I am not trying to insult you but maybe help with a little honesty. You have shadows that don't look good, hot spots, and light fall off. In other words very uneven lighting. If you are trying to present yourself as a pro or break into the business I would not post those pictures to customers. You are better having no reputation to start than a bad one. To my eye it appears the lights are too low and too close to the camera. Pros tend to light from above with multiple strobes and then fill from the sides a bit rather than shooting at the subjects. Lighting differently than what you are doing will make for more even natural lighting and avoid the eye flash, hot spots in front, and light fall off to the back of the image. Look into the flash forum and sports shooting forums on here for some solid advice on proper technique. You should also find examples of how it should look and you will realize what I am saying. I look forward to seeing your shots improve.

@short5. Thank you for your comments and certainly you did not insult me. That, at least to me, is the reason we post here which is to say, to improve. I think I stated very clearly at the end of my post that I hope others would join the discussion. I do wish, however, that when people are critical they would at the same time offer helpful suggestions.

The light is clearly harsh. Accordingly, I also had hoped to open the discussion about using diffusers rather than reflector umbrellas. I just don't know how to do that, that is to get enough fire power through a diffuser when it is upwards of 70 feet to the horse. Looking forward to yours and other suggestions.

Good observation about the flashes being low (but not close to camera). The umbrellas were at the highest extension on 8' light stands. But they probably would be better higher. That's why I mentioned the guy that put them on the ceiling beams. That would be cool. But for those of us that shoot smaller shows every weekend I am not sure how practical (time and cost effective) that would be. The lights were far from camera, at least one was as far as it could get: the edge of the arena. Assuming a 125 foot wide arena I am guessing 60 feet to my left. This is my fill. The other as I stated is about 12 feet to my right. This is the main.

Probably your most poignant observation is the shadows and light fall off. When the horse stands in the middle it is easy to get the light ratios right for minimum shadows. But then the damn thing moves!:lol: As the horse moves laterally left to to the plane of the light the lighting ratio increases that way and, of course, the resultant shadow increases. And the converse is, of course, true. I thought about getting my wife and someone else to run parallel to the horse with the lightstands but couldn't get that to fly:lol:

I look forward to your suggestions and others help me break into the business. I guess even after my 29 years in the business we are constantly breaking in. :rolleyes: Unfortunately, my wife already did show some of these to customers at the show. And we only sold about $500 worth there. But cutters, as opposed to reiners and hunter/jumpers, for some reason tend to order very little at shows and more from my web site. I will report back how my sales are when I get them up on my server. My wife and I have established a somewhat soft rule that we no longer do a show with out a reasonable expectation of $2000 revenue, before expenses, per day per show.

This is important because right now my income comes fairly evenly from photography and judging horse shows. As I approach retirement I want less to come from the judging (too much travel) and more from photography. For that to happen (Continue to break into the business?) my product will have to continue to improve. That will hopefully happen with suggestions such as your and others.

Thanks again for your observations. I also look forward to my shots improving.:D

[matonanjin]

Here is a shot I took and got lucky in that the pro's strobes fired as my shutter was open. This is a night time event with very poor lighting. The photographer here has a few big strobes on the light poles. There is no rafters to hang them from so he uses his only option to get the lights high. My on camera flash played a role here which probably altered the effect he was getting. Again not a perfect shot and just lucky but I think it represents a better looking lighting and maybe will direct you in the right direction.

Short5,
I am at a farm shoot all day today and only got on here with my laptop and checked email. Shooting mares and babies for a customers ad. I can not see the image for some reason but will look tonight. Thanks again.