Horse and Rider

For what it is worth, IMHO, the main negative is the rider looking away. It just doesn't do anything for me. Sorry.

Overread wrote in post #17334396

Taken with Canon 7D and 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II
Taken at f2.8, 1/500sec, ISO 12800.

Not sure how I feel about this shot, although part of that could be the super-high ISO (which honestly was still not quite high enough, but I wasn't willing to give up any more shutter speed and had no more aperture to play with). So a very dark indoor shot (if I recall right at this point it was basically the overhead lights only, night had fallen outside) of a moving subject.


So any thoughts on both the technical and also the general artistic aspects?

Static and distant with nothing to connect to the subject. A lower camera angle with much tighter framing and rider and mount approaching the camera position would be more interesting.

No engagement. Over sharpened.

Thanks for the feedback guys. I agree, although I disagree. Personally I do agree that there is something missing, though I think the pose can work, but that its just that there is nothing for the subject to engage with - I suspect if there were something the top left for them to be focused upon as a second point of interest - then even if it were blurred it would still tie the shot together. At present it is indeed just sand.

Texkam what makes you think its oversharpened? I didn't think I had done so and I can't see any artifacts; so I'd be interested to hear more on what you feel makes it oversharpened.

Halo between darks and lights.

Slightly over-sharpened, but I like the composition. The rider turned away adds mystery.

I guess I'll be in the minority and say I personally like it. It may be a tad bit over sharpened but u still like it.

tex - ahh I see it now! Yes the banding is there, must have crept in when I was resizing and sharpening for web display and I just missed it!

My thanks Eric and Born - good to hear from fans of the shot ^

it looks like the shot was taken before a dressage test started and the rider was looking over the ring.

You'd be correct - start-up area just outside of the dressage ring - possibly watching another rider and possibly waiting for the horn/bell from the judges car (was one of hte early riders for the day but I don't think the first).

To make this more of a story, I would want you to get down lower so you are on plane with the horse and rider, and capture what it is she is looking at in the distance

I know exactly what you mean Cleverer, but in this case I think if I got down lower I'd just be showing a very ugly grey and blue wall for the most part - outside and with more distances I can certainly envision the angle and type of story you mean - inside in this tight arena I don't think such a shot is as easily accomplished.