Sports [equestrian] Portraits..... C&C please

[steve75]

Just a couple of candid/portraits of my girlfriend i took at a recent event.

They are some of my 1st shots with my new [well, 2nd hand...] 30D So Please feel free to give some c&c.....

1.


2.


3. Same as above with a tighter crop and a B&W conversion....


Thanks for looking.

Steve

[ABrownPhoto]

Some great captures! Lovely!

[steve75]

Thanks swkeekie, it was a beautiful day! just been having a look through your site & flickr acc.... some great shots in there!

If anyone has any critisism's then feel free.....

Cheers

Steve

[Raindancer]

They look pretty good to me Steve, my only point would be did you have a flash with you? Could maybe do with just a touch of fill-in......

Nice though....

Rog

[steve75]

Thanks Roger, yeah i see what you mean about needing a touch of fill, but at the moment i still haven't gotten around to buying one, i think even if i did have one i'd be pretty reluctant to use a flash around the horses, if i had maybe been a paid event photographer for the day i might but as i was just there to support my gf as a spectator, then i don't think i'd want to risk upsetting anyone by freaking their horses..... maybe a reflector of some kind might be an idea next time

[Raindancer]

Good point Steve never thought of that myself.......

It would be intersting to know what any of the regular horse photographers do as not done any horse shots before.

I've just bought myself a 580EX and it's superb although it's taking me some time to get used to all the extra buttons I've got to sort but definitely worthwhile investing in....

Rog

[poloman]

On a bright day (which this seems to be), I think you did very well to get her face as well exposed as you did. As far as I'm concerned flash is a big nono for horses except for the few that have been trained to handle it. A reflector might work but even that could be a problem depending on the horse. I think you did the best you could....good job.

[hawk911]

Falsh would be good, but ask the rider first if the horse is bothered by flash. Otherwise, grab a reflector and another spectator to hold it for you.

[short5]

I shoot lots of horse events and flashes are generally not used. We sometimes use them in the winners circle and large indoor events. Show horses on a professional circuit are usually flash tolerant but I would check with someone in charge before using one and avoid them around race horses or show horses on course.

[steve75]

Thanks for all the comments and advice..... Although i will be getting a 580ex soon i doubt i shall ever risk using it around horses, they are funny things! the silliest of things that you would never expect can spook them.... My girlfriends horses can walk over the same drain cover or past the same bail of hay, day in day out, paying it no mind, then one day down the line for reasons unknown, their eye's will be out on storks because that same drain cover has apparently become a 'black whole'! or some kind of vortex that will suck them down into hell! It is now the scariest thing they have EVER seen!!!!!

Anyway, thanks again.

Steve

[gparvan]

Nice shots.