My history with horse shows. Everyone should try one.
Jan 1, 2018 12:00:33 #
Horse Shows
On another thread on the topic of horse shows we turned up many photographers who had done show shoots (They shoot horses, don't they?) and some who hadn't. Maybe we could chat about "what's a show" and suggest folks visit one to see what they are like.
Starting with 4-H, kids learn the basics, as do parents,and photographers.
Take a couple hundred pics of kids in tuxedos on bay horses with their identifying entry numbers stuck in all different places,then sort the photos. Myself and a couple other photogs started displaying them as "in order of appearance." 4-H also includes elements of rodeo, so there's excitement later in the day.
Then breed shows. The variety is entertaining but the shows are boring as h*ll. I did get a couple magazine posts and hired gigs.
Hunter shows is where they really start jumping! then USET, the proving ground for Olympians.
USET encompasses dressage, stadium jumping and cross country. Great fun! You will see some amazing riding and hundreds of photogs.
I shot horse shows on speculation from 1983 until 2014 on a pretty busy schedule, mostly Mid-atlantic region. Good days and other days all along the way. 4-H families can't afford much, but keep it reasonable and build a reputation.
Breed shows vary a lot. Quarter horse people (I was one of them) can't afford tires for their trailer but can drop $5,000 for that perfect mare! They all buy the one perfect picture from the season.
I read about a USET show called Chesterland in Radner, PA (home to several Olympians). I drafted a letter with a few sample photos and landed my first photographer credentials. The first morning I arrived at dawn with a box of coffee and a bunch of styro cups. Starting at the front gate, I had smooth sailing with my inexpensive bribe. I had no idea what kind of money crowd I was walking into. First time I had been to a show with a "Media" tent. Great fun! And, these people bought prints.
In November that year, on my birthday, I had managed credentials to The Pennsylvania Hunt Cup, a top rated steeplechase.. Same neighborhood as the above. Arriving with my coffee service in dense fog I decided there was one opportunity here... No other photographers showed up.
The fog didn't lift all day... in and out of drizzle. I decided to "take the best rainy foggy day photos they had ever seen." I think at the time I was using a 1972 Canon AE-1 with a 100-200 zoom. I managed to find places to stand where I wouldn't get run over and be close enough to see the horses through the fog. I sent about 150 4x5 proofs to the organizers and asked for advice.
I got a letter back with one of my proofs. The shot was not much clearer than a silhouette of a jockey named Speedy Smithwick. That photo ended up being on the program cover the next year and the sillouette icon for the event. I didn't charge enough, but was fun.
Most of the next many years was chasing my equestrian daughter around the east and Midwest from age 7 to age 19 as she worked her way up through the ranks of 4-H, Pony Club (google it) and the world of Eventing. Priceless for a dad...
Unfortunately, most of those years are on film somewhere and I haven't organized them.
If you want to broaden your field you can look into driving competitions (things on wheels), Polo (a few of the rich and famous), steeplechase (referred to above),
From Wickipecia: "They are also used in competitive sports including, but not limited to, dressage, endurance riding, eventing, reining, show jumping, tent pegging (what the h' is that?), vaulting, polo, horse racing, driving and rodeo (See additional equestrian sports listed later in this article for more examples).
Equestrianism - Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equestrianism
In summary:
What's the best lens? The one you know well enough to get that perfect shot without having to think about settings. And remenber... the horse is probably better at jumping over you than you are at getting out of the way.
Have fun!
Jeff
http://www.PhotoKurtz.com
On another thread on the topic of horse shows we turned up many photographers who had done show shoots (They shoot horses, don't they?) and some who hadn't. Maybe we could chat about "what's a show" and suggest folks visit one to see what they are like.
Starting with 4-H, kids learn the basics, as do parents,and photographers.
Take a couple hundred pics of kids in tuxedos on bay horses with their identifying entry numbers stuck in all different places,then sort the photos. Myself and a couple other photogs started displaying them as "in order of appearance." 4-H also includes elements of rodeo, so there's excitement later in the day.
Then breed shows. The variety is entertaining but the shows are boring as h*ll. I did get a couple magazine posts and hired gigs.
Hunter shows is where they really start jumping! then USET, the proving ground for Olympians.
USET encompasses dressage, stadium jumping and cross country. Great fun! You will see some amazing riding and hundreds of photogs.
I shot horse shows on speculation from 1983 until 2014 on a pretty busy schedule, mostly Mid-atlantic region. Good days and other days all along the way. 4-H families can't afford much, but keep it reasonable and build a reputation.
Breed shows vary a lot. Quarter horse people (I was one of them) can't afford tires for their trailer but can drop $5,000 for that perfect mare! They all buy the one perfect picture from the season.
I read about a USET show called Chesterland in Radner, PA (home to several Olympians). I drafted a letter with a few sample photos and landed my first photographer credentials. The first morning I arrived at dawn with a box of coffee and a bunch of styro cups. Starting at the front gate, I had smooth sailing with my inexpensive bribe. I had no idea what kind of money crowd I was walking into. First time I had been to a show with a "Media" tent. Great fun! And, these people bought prints.
In November that year, on my birthday, I had managed credentials to The Pennsylvania Hunt Cup, a top rated steeplechase.. Same neighborhood as the above. Arriving with my coffee service in dense fog I decided there was one opportunity here... No other photographers showed up.
The fog didn't lift all day... in and out of drizzle. I decided to "take the best rainy foggy day photos they had ever seen." I think at the time I was using a 1972 Canon AE-1 with a 100-200 zoom. I managed to find places to stand where I wouldn't get run over and be close enough to see the horses through the fog. I sent about 150 4x5 proofs to the organizers and asked for advice.
I got a letter back with one of my proofs. The shot was not much clearer than a silhouette of a jockey named Speedy Smithwick. That photo ended up being on the program cover the next year and the sillouette icon for the event. I didn't charge enough, but was fun.
Most of the next many years was chasing my equestrian daughter around the east and Midwest from age 7 to age 19 as she worked her way up through the ranks of 4-H, Pony Club (google it) and the world of Eventing. Priceless for a dad...
Unfortunately, most of those years are on film somewhere and I haven't organized them.
If you want to broaden your field you can look into driving competitions (things on wheels), Polo (a few of the rich and famous), steeplechase (referred to above),
From Wickipecia: "They are also used in competitive sports including, but not limited to, dressage, endurance riding, eventing, reining, show jumping, tent pegging (what the h' is that?), vaulting, polo, horse racing, driving and rodeo (See additional equestrian sports listed later in this article for more examples).
Equestrianism - Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equestrianism
In summary:
What's the best lens? The one you know well enough to get that perfect shot without having to think about settings. And remenber... the horse is probably better at jumping over you than you are at getting out of the way.
Have fun!
Jeff
http://www.PhotoKurtz.com
My daughter in her early days.
(Download)
USET Rolex Three-Day
(Download)
Daughter personality shot.
(Download)
Jan 1, 2018 14:03:44 #
Enjoyed viewing the images and the info!!
I posted some images several years ago, They around somewhere.
The background was not good. It was what it was.....
Pat
I posted some images several years ago, They around somewhere.
The background was not good. It was what it was.....
Pat
Jan 1, 2018 14:10:36 #
Jan 1, 2018 17:28:04 #
I have Goodwood and Fontwell Race courses within half an hours drive. It seems the trick is in getting close, and yes it looks better with weather. I get more fun photographing than the wife gets betting.....The results are usually 'she won' as I know neither the horse nor the jockey.
Eldest Girl rides regularly 'Hacking' (Off road) and she fills facebook with 'headcam' shots and horses leaning over stable doors. Goodwood is a bit highbrow and Fontwell is more 'rough and ready'. People watching between races can be entertaining.
Not good enough to make money from it yet, but the cost of entry is minimal and it classes as a 'day out' together - even if I keep wandering off (That way she can bet without my deep intakes of breath!)
Maybe I should do more 'research' as to who is who....
Great article
Eldest Girl rides regularly 'Hacking' (Off road) and she fills facebook with 'headcam' shots and horses leaning over stable doors. Goodwood is a bit highbrow and Fontwell is more 'rough and ready'. People watching between races can be entertaining.
Not good enough to make money from it yet, but the cost of entry is minimal and it classes as a 'day out' together - even if I keep wandering off (That way she can bet without my deep intakes of breath!)
Maybe I should do more 'research' as to who is who....
Great article
Jan 1, 2018 17:47:23 #
Yes horse events can be fun to shoot.
I shoot a lot of models and a few are cowgirls and into Gymkhana.
Well it's pretty hard to tell a beautiful woman no, so off I go to the races!!! LoL
The barrel racing is always lots of fun to shoot!
SS
I shoot a lot of models and a few are cowgirls and into Gymkhana.
Well it's pretty hard to tell a beautiful woman no, so off I go to the races!!! LoL
The barrel racing is always lots of fun to shoot!
SS
Jan 2, 2018 01:17:56 #
We may have a spin-off topic pending here. Earlier (on the other thread) someone said, "Horse shows, not races" ( or something to that effect.) I thought for a couple days about this comment and about the only difference I can distinguish is whether it is a family sport or For-Profit Gambling.
In our 'family sport' category we have barrel racing.. which is a race. And Steeple Chase, which is a race... but no money is involved. Of the other hand there is thoroughbred racing, sulkies, trotters, which is for-profit and wagering is involved. There are probably a couple other categories in the mix.
Other than the perception of wholesomeness... (animal husbandry vs. profit or some such thought...) I think our topic is photography, which is a matter of optics and photons... not definitions of sport.
OK... I'll turn in and get off the box. Glad you are all participating.
New Years day is behind us!
Jeff
In our 'family sport' category we have barrel racing.. which is a race. And Steeple Chase, which is a race... but no money is involved. Of the other hand there is thoroughbred racing, sulkies, trotters, which is for-profit and wagering is involved. There are probably a couple other categories in the mix.
Other than the perception of wholesomeness... (animal husbandry vs. profit or some such thought...) I think our topic is photography, which is a matter of optics and photons... not definitions of sport.
OK... I'll turn in and get off the box. Glad you are all participating.
New Years day is behind us!
Jeff
Jan 2, 2018 08:55:47 #
I love horses, and I own some. My granddaughters show, and I shoot them willingly. That said, to me shooting entire horse shows is one of the most boring things to do. It’s a lot like soccer--watching grass grow. When the kids aren’t competing, I go off to try to get some street shots.
Jan 2, 2018 10:04:24 #
Jan 2, 2018 10:04:26 #
Jan 2, 2018 13:38:09 #
Horse shows are OK but "Eventing", especially Cross Country can be very exciting and challenging for a photographer.
I've also found that some dog events can yield some great shots and are not as challenging physically for the photographer. "Dog Agility" and "Lure Coursing" provide some good opportunities for shots and many of the owners/handlers want copies.
Like all such events now most of the desires for photos are filled by the hundreds of folks with their cellphone cameras but if you can get a great shot there is still a small market. Plus it's fun and challenging if you're not looking to make a buck.....
I've also found that some dog events can yield some great shots and are not as challenging physically for the photographer. "Dog Agility" and "Lure Coursing" provide some good opportunities for shots and many of the owners/handlers want copies.
Like all such events now most of the desires for photos are filled by the hundreds of folks with their cellphone cameras but if you can get a great shot there is still a small market. Plus it's fun and challenging if you're not looking to make a buck.....
Jan 2, 2018 13:46:31 #
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