shutterbug12

I have just started taking photos of equestrian events, which are held in outdoor arenas. I used a Nikon D7000 and D300 and was wondering just anyone could suggest a lens that would capture the rider and horse in motion. Also, if anyone has any suggestions as to what settings to use, it was recommended to me to stick with S priority. Any websites for viewing photo would be appreciated.

Nina

Adubin Loc: Indialantic, Florida

I was at equestrian even in Feb 2010 and used my Nikon D300 with a 70-200mm f2.8 lens. I had my camera set to speed priority and try to keep the speed faster than 1/1250 sec. Click here to view some of my photos http://www.dubinphotography.net/Events/Horses/Equestrian-Festival-Feb-13/11247702_gCMR2W#788936144_eEKrN. Arnold

wteffey Loc: Ocala, FL USA

As long as I am shooting outdoors in good light, I have found my Sigma 70-300 APO DG gives very good results. My 50-200 just doesn't get me close enough. The Sigma and the similar Tamron are not too expensive. Just don't expect to shoot landscapes

Cameraman

These photos are very very nice. I thought a setting of 1/250 sec would be enough to freeze the motion but apparently I was wrong and that's why I see some motion in my photos of dancers.

TraceyG Loc: SW, Fl.

I think Arnolds suggestions are spot on. I used to do a lot of these events also, another tip, if you are shooting the jumping events, focus ahead of time on the top of the jump, and just wait for the rider and horse to fill the frame.

BTW Arnold, nice shots!

Adubin Loc: Indialantic, Florida

Tracey, Thank you, Arnold

foghornleg90 Loc: All over USA - Medford, OR & Knoxville, TN

Out of curiosity, how do you like smugmug?? And are you getting many direct sales from it??

Adubin Loc: Indialantic, Florida

I really like SmugMug. I have the Pro version and just started to try to put up 18 photos for sale about 2 months ago, with no sales yet. I know I have to do a lot marketing which I haven't done yet. I mainly started to use it to share my photos with my family and friends. If you are interested in more specifics let me know or if you want to sign-up I can supply you with a discount code. Arnold

[arnold@dubinphotos.com=foghornleg90]

Out of curiosity, how do you like smugmug?? And are you getting many direct sales from it??[/quote]

foghornleg90 Loc: All over USA - Medford, OR & Knoxville, TN

I spent much of 2002 - 2006 shooting equine events... for my company, and a bunch of magazines & websites... I don't have most of the shots up, but there were a few that I posted from a couple of the events (Wellington's Winter Equestrian Challenge, Rolex's Three-day Eventing, and HITS):

http://www.flickr.com/photos/terry_mercer/3085353883/

Shutter Speed 320
Aperture f/4.5
Focal Length 46.8 mm
ISO Speed 200
Exposure Bias 0 EV

Most were shot with a fixed lens (large pocket) camera back then... a Fuji FinePix 4900 or 7000Pro... but I would say that shutter speed is dependent on the lighting and other settings.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/terry_mercer/sets/72157606622201174/with/3085353883/

It's all about positioning... distance from the action... the lighting, and timing.

With equine events, the position of the horse, its feet, the riders body position (and their feet) will be closely evaluated. Knowing what they expect & want is key.

Perfect positioning: http://www.flickr.com/photos/terry_mercer/2746157132/in/set-72157606622201174

Not so perfect: http://www.flickr.com/photos/terry_mercer/2746170506/in/set-72157606622201174 (notice the horses front legs aren't 'even' and don't match?!?!

Unless it's a big name rider, if you are wanting to sell for stock, or generic advertising use... try to catch angles that don't specifically 'identify' the rider: http://www.flickr.com/photos/terry_mercer/2753152297/in/set-72157606622201174

Anyhow, depending on the type & style of events you are shooting... it's AWESOME! If you are shooting 3-day eventing, by yourself a golf cart, segway, or really quiet scooter... because the average course is about 10 acres... carry extra batteries & memory cards with you, and leave the rest of the stuff locked up in your rig (or get a shooting vest to carry some basics with you). I loved shooting those type of events. If you have a 'team mate' (business partner or employee) that shuttles the memory cards, does the post processing while you continue shooting, and can display the finished shots, and take orders right there... there is a pile of money to be made shooting equine events. A mobile processing/printing studio with laptopS and printers, and a few large screen displays of processed photos really drives up sales.

A normal day in the hunter/jumper world was worth about $500 to $5000 in direct sales, and if you had good enough stuff, and the contacts with the magazines... you could more than double those numbers after the fact. There is MORE competition now days, and for most events press passes are each to get... and the really cool thing, is in most places setting up a mobile 'shop' is either free or just the parking fees.

Best of luck...

foghornleg90 Loc: All over USA - Medford, OR & Knoxville, TN

I've been using it for a couple years now... pushing over 500,000 views, and a few hundred INDIRECT sales & interest... but fewer than 100 directly processed sales from it. There are a few things I love about it... a few things that annoy the hell out of me.

www.terrymercer.com will lead you to mine.

All my model, portrait, and product shots are 'hidden'

I love the 'events' - and 'ability to have end-users have personal favorites... but detest the hierarchical structure is lost, and that it tosses all the sets out there in the events section as it does.

I like how you've personalized yours... looks nice.

shutterbug12

Thank you very much for your advise and the link to your great pictures. I have a 70-200 f 2.8 and will get it a try on Thursday when I will be at an event.

shutterbug12

Thanks for your suggestion about focusing on the top of the jump. I will be covering an event this Thursday and will put your suggestion into use.

TraceyG Loc: SW, Fl.

Foghorn, you are way more advanced than me, I used to ride in the hunter/jumper events, then when I couldn't afford it anymore, would still attend and just shoot pics for my own use. But from reading your posts, I can see what the pro's did to the pics that I bought. Very informative!

Shutterbug, your welcome, and good luck! If you are happy with them, post a few!

foghornleg90 Loc: All over USA - Medford, OR & Knoxville, TN

For me... three-day eventing shoots were the most fun in the equine world. Because you could usually position youfself where there either was or wasn't a crowd and extra fences & vehicles in the back ground. Some of the jumps are OMG amazing... 3 to 6 feet HIGH, and 2 to 6 feet DEEP... with some having upto a 6 foot drop INTO WATER. If you ever get the opportunity, and you like equine action, eventing is interesting & challenging.

The eventers (riders) and newspapers want close crops, usually... the advertising (magazines) very loose crops (to no crops) for ad copy space.

This is a set I did way back in 2002... with a crappy Canon Digital Rebel (that's what they supplied me to shoot with... all my stuff was left at home, because I wasn't planning to shoot THAT event)... the timing was the toughest part, but many of the shots were used in a variety of media (oh, also important... NONE have any post processing work done to them, and are 'as shot' if I remember correctly): http://www.flickr.com/photos/terry_mercer/sets/72157606625826131/

Regarding the hunter/jumper stuff... try to find 2 or 3 locations that will allow you to capture good to great angles on at least 2 to 3 jumps PER HORSE. Make sure your shutter speed & lighting is right... consider AI SERVO for the AF, and center spot metering... and either center spot or ALL focus points (I prefer center spot - lock hold, and move my framing where I want it).

Media usually want portrait orientation, but unless you are real close with that 70-200 I'd probably shoot landscape and crop down to portrait. Being about 5 to 8 feet above the ground usually puts you about 'eye level' with the horse as they jump. I've been at a few events that I was able to set up a ladder chair (or a ladder with a stadium chair attached)... and that helped a whole lot, and allowed me to not only get a better angle, but capture 3 or 4... or sometimes even 5 jumps per run.

Anyhow... best of luck... where will you be shooting at? What level of riders & horses??