Dressage Photos (C&C Please)

[adamwynne]

I was asked by my wife's trainer to take some photos of him on his horses for his website. Just C&C please for any tips, I find dressage quite difficult to do (photographing, that is, *actually* doing dressage is probably within my skill set but not within my range of interests!!!)

http://www.adamwynne.com/albums/peter/images/IMG_1899.jpg

http://www.adamwynne.com/albums/peter/images/IMG_1947.jpg

http://www.adamwynne.com/albums/peter/images/IMG_2001.jpg


http://www.adamwynne.com/albums/peter/images/IMG_2035.jpg


http://www.adamwynne.com/albums/peter/images/IMG_2109.jpg


http://www.adamwynne.com/albums/peter/images/IMG_2137.jpg

http://www.adamwynne.com/albums/peter/images/IMG_2276.jpg

40D, 17-55 f/2.8, LR2

[3Turner]

Interesting shots. I never knew that they used a large mirror for practice. Only things I would change is the wires in the background and possibly shoot at a better time of day lighting wise. Blew the highlights on the white pants/gloves, especially in the last shot.

Thanks for sharing.

[Spygel]

LOVE the black and white shot, although perhaps it could be a bit darker.

[adamwynne]

Yeah, highlights are a problem, had to add in a lot of fill light (LR2) to get the horse skin tone and muscle (its actually almost black). The B&W was a quick try as he was backlit by the sun. And yes I could PS out the wires, but this wasn't 'paid' work so I'm not spending too long on it! Time of day was determined by my availability to him.

[winkie]

I'm no professional, but I am fairly certain that when riding you are suppose to keep your heels down!

Is there a way to selectively add fill light? sorry, I'm not very good with photoshop... :P

[Spygel]

Good catch on the heels! I didn't even notice, but his feet are way off.

[Coriena]

I like the first mirror shot, the b&w and the 2nd one.

every time his heels are up he's asking the horse to do something not the best but sometimes can't be helped :)

[MysticalPhoto]

As for correct striding, 2, 3, & 5 are great for advertising on websites. The striding is off a bit. You want the inside to be extended like in picture 2 for trotting shots. For cantering shots, you want the horse engaged on his hind end! Nice shots! Nice Horse!

[dogface]

I find the rider being OOF quite distracting in the last one. No matter how hard I try and look at the horse, my eyes keep going back to the rider. It's probably more the brightness of the scene and white shirt that causes the distraction.

[jdando]

Looking good, perhaps using a cpl might have brought out the sky a bit?