Time for something different - Polo!

[Tall_Paul_2000]

Well I've been talking about it for ages and finally got a gap in the snapping schedule to cover some Polo.

Frankly miserably cold day, however after a bit of a slow start and getting used to shooting something new, I think I just about got into the swing of things.

C&C most welcome - first time I've shot either horses or polo - first thing that struck me as an issue was that the focus mostly would lock onto the horse's head which creates its own DOF issue. Tried to shoot at f8 all the way through, although the light didn't really lend itself to it in all honesty. Still, its a long long season!

Anyway, thanks for looking and please C&C away!

1.

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m58/Tall_paul_2000/a-4.jpg

2.

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m58/Tall_paul_2000/g-1.jpg

3.

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m58/Tall_paul_2000/f-3.jpg

4.

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m58/Tall_paul_2000/d-2.jpg

5.

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m58/Tall_paul_2000/b-4.jpg

6.

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m58/Tall_paul_2000/c-2.jpg

7.

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m58/Tall_paul_2000/e-3.jpg

[jim9449]

Paul I think you have done very well for your first attempt at Polo;) #1, #7 would be my pick

[fslshooter]

Nice Paul! I'd say you you were definitely into the swing of things ;) . They're a tiny bit underexposed for my taste but since it was a cold day there they do reflect that. I think perhaps you need a bit more practice on the panning too. But, back to where we started, they're quite nice -- well done!

[Tall_Paul_2000]

Paul I think you have done very well for your first attempt at Polo;) #1, #7 would be my pick

Thanks Jim

Nice Paul! I'd say you you were definitely into the swing of things ;) . They're a tiny bit underexposed for my taste but since it was a cold day there they do reflect that. I think perhaps you need a bit more practice on the panning too. But, back to where we started, they're quite nice -- well done!

Jerry - thanks for your comments and the frankly appalling pun ;)

I agree, the panning definitely needs some work, its strange trying to do that with a 300 2.8 on a monopod, far easier when handholding really. However was trying to inject some variety into the pics - thing there is a danger with polo that they all get a little samey after a while!

Will see what Thursday night holds - I get to have attempt number 2 then!

Thank you both again for the comments.

Paul

[Roddy]

2,4 and 5 are good, love the whip of the mallet in pic 2. Picture 7 shows the horse having its back teeth pulled out, head up, mouth open and whites of the eyes suggests a very p*!!^d off pony and is not a shot that goes down well. (Played a bit and photographed a lot for various magazines)

[gmen]

Enjoyable set Paul... must be a challenge what with the size of the playing area and the unpredictability of the action. Seems more akin to shooting a cricket match rather than the usual field sports.

Something makes me want to see the images shot from a lower or higher perspective (neither of which may be practical or even possible).

I've dabbled with horse-panning in the past and (a) it is pretty tricky because there is the movement of the rider and the horse to deal with... and (b) I reached the conclusion (rightly or wrongly) that it still looks pretty pants even when you get it 'right' :lol: so don't be disheartened!

Looking forward to seeing some more. As always a nice wide angle of the venue would be of interest... sad but true :lol:

---- Gavin

[Tall_Paul_2000]

2,4 and 5 are good, love the whip of the mallet in pic 2. Picture 7 shows the horse having its back teeth pulled out, head up, mouth open and whites of the eyes suggests a very p*!!^d off pony and is not a shot that goes down well. (Played a bit and photographed a lot for various magazines)

Thanks Roddy - you comments are much appreciated, especially given you have been there and done that! Do you mind if I ask who you shot for?

Regards #7 - did you used to edit those out of your final shots? I've fired an email to a few polo trainers for their views - awaiting responses, but would be interested in your views.


Enjoyable set Paul... must be a challenge what with the size of the playing area and the unpredictability of the action. Seems more akin to shooting a cricket match rather than the usual field sports.

Something makes me want to see the images shot from a lower or higher perspective (neither of which may be practical or even possible).

I've dabbled with horse-panning in the past and (a) it is pretty tricky because there is the movement of the rider and the horse to deal with... and (b) I reached the conclusion (rightly or wrongly) that it still looks pretty pants even when you get it 'right' :lol: so don't be disheartened!

Looking forward to seeing some more. As always a nice wide angle of the venue would be of interest... sad but true :lol:

---- Gavin

Gavin,

Thanks for the comments - funny you should mention about the perspective....was looking at the pics earlier realising that where I thought that standing would be ok, I'm too tall to do it - so back to the stool!

Its a huge playing area to cover, however it does have a nice benefit to it....after every goal they change ends, so it does mean that you can take root for a whole afternoon and not have to worry about moving too far!!

Panning - well, yes, too many moving parts really.... Maybe I'll just accept its a holy grail and see what happens!

The games this weekend weren't on the main grounds, however when they are I'll pop in a general view, they're really rather pretty!

Thanks again for looking

Paul

[Roddy]

Horse and Hound, Polo Times, Stick and Ball and PQ. I did not delete that kind of shot as some riders are just heavy handed and that is all you would get of them, however the equestrian magazines will not use them.

Gmen, a polo pitch covers 16 acres, about 4 football pitches

[Tall_Paul_2000]

Horse and Hound, Polo Times, Stick and Ball and PQ. I did not delete that kind of shot as some riders are just heavy handed and that is all you would get of them, however the equestrian magazines will not use them.

Gmen, a polo pitch covers 16 acres, about 4 football pitches

Roddy,

Sounds like you've pretty much been there and done it then on the Polo side of things!

Amusingly had responses back from the trainers I know and they said they didn't mind the pics staying "in".......so will pretty much follow on your advice on these. As things develop will possibly look towards those publications, although as a newbie to the Polo stuff I'd like to be surer in what I am doing before contacting them.

Have the joys of covering an exhibition match tonight at Chester Races, so will hopefully move the shooting on a little....and try Gavin's suggestion of the lower shooting angle too.

Paul

[Roddy]

Sounds like you've pretty much been there and done it then on the Polo side of things!

Not at all, you learn something new from everybodies different perspectives.
Have you tried photographing from behind the goal judges, if you keep back, keep your eye on the ball and only move if a pony is literally about to flatten you ( 99% of players and ponies will know EXACTLY where you are and have accounted for you as they turn, some smart arses will cut it fine, but if you move you may put yourself in more danger), you will get some pretty good shots.
I have not had much to do with the polo scene for a couple of years now, talk to the magazines and see what they are looking for, you may find a good home for some of your pics and it will raise your profile to the players.

[DarrenL]

Not a bad set Paul, a few of them do look a bit underexposed. I know nothing about horses or polo but the action in #1 and #7 is great.

Darren

[Tall_Paul_2000]

Not a bad set Paul, a few of them do look a bit underexposed. I know nothing about horses or polo but the action in #1 and #7 is great.
Darren

Thanks Darren - I know what you mean about the underexposure.

Couldn't put my finger on why, however on looking back through the pics I've realise that the grass is actually quite a bit lighter than you normally come across and I think this threw the exposure out by half a stop or so. Bit odd! This only came to me last night when I was photographing at the racecourse last night and checking the metering on the grass and it seems to be a little different to what I'd have expected!

Sounds like you've pretty much been there and done it then on the Polo side of things!

Not at all, you learn something new from everybodies different perspectives.
Have you tried photographing from behind the goal judges, if you keep back, keep your eye on the ball and only move if a pony is literally about to flatten you ( 99% of players and ponies will know EXACTLY where you are and have accounted for you as they turn, some smart arses will cut it fine, but if you move you may put yourself in more danger), you will get some pretty good shots.
I have not had much to do with the polo scene for a couple of years now, talk to the magazines and see what they are looking for, you may find a good home for some of your pics and it will raise your profile to the players.



The behind the goal idea sounds good, It had crossed my mind that slightly to the side of the goals to give an angle into the players might be a variation on that which could work too. Will chat to the 2 polo clubs up here and see if they're happy for me to stand there.

I've got hold of the contact details for the magazines now over the coming few weeks I'll put together some shots and chat to them and see where that takes me.

Thanks for your help and advice - it really is appreciated.

[Jonathan]

great captures - love no 5

[Tall_Paul_2000]

great captures - love no 5

Thank you Lemminglover (that sounds wrong!!)