angelamarks
FollowCaptured this photo at a barrel racing event which I covered. Manage quite a number of good shots but really loved the way the muscle rippled on this horse's sh...
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Captured this photo at a barrel racing event which I covered. Manage quite a number of good shots but really loved the way the muscle rippled on this horse's shoulder and the overall composition.
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Behind The Lens
Location
I was hired, along with my sister, to take photos at a local horse show - in Napanee Ontario. It was what is called a 'gaming 'show , where the events consisted of pole bending, barrel racing and other high speed classes. Finding a position on the rail that best captured the barrel racing, was actually at the end of the arena, near the last barrel, where the dust was constantly flying in my face.Time
I don't recall the exact time of day this photo was taken, I do know that , because it was a horse show and I was the photographer, I didn't have much of a choice about lighting, if I wanted to get high action shots. I was fortunate that the angle of the sun worked to my advantage with the location I chose to take this shot. Sometimes, I think, you don't have a choice of lighting. I did enhance the lighting a little bit in my post processing.Lighting
Due to the situation, I didn't have a choice about the lighting to capture the action shots that were required. Lighting was enhanced in post processing.Equipment
I used a Canon T2i with a 50-300 mm lens. There was no tripod so I could change positions quickly should it be required to capture the class I was capturing at any given moment.Inspiration
I wanted to be as close to the action as possible...and if that meant being peppered with dust and flying particles ...then so be it :)Editing
This photo was originally in colour, however, that just in't amplify the action in the way I desired. So, as I often do, to check balance, I converted the image to greyscale and then made adjustments to bring out as much detail as possible. I wanted the viewer to be able to feel the sand flying in their face ...as I had.In my camera bag
At the time this photo was taken, I had a Canon T2i and several lenses. the one used was a 50-300 mm but I also had several other lenses for different types of shots. I now carry only a Nikon P900 - the resolution isnt as high however, I can take everything from macro, to wide angle to long range shots - without ever changing a lens. I find, with action shots - of birds and other wildlife - this gives me VERY quick access to a great shot without having to change a lens and miss a shot in so doing.Feedback
If you can, get as close to the subject as you can. Tripods are great - if your subject isn't constantly moving, I prefer hand held. Most cameras have excellent image stabilization. A horse NEVER stops moving - even flicking an ear can ruin a shot. Lighting can be adjusted in post-processing - if you are good at it, you can even change the focus somewhat. ( blurring a background, sharpening a part of the image you want to stand out etc . )