Horses & Riders! Criticism please

[CourtneyCollins]

#1

#2

#3

Took these off of my facebook, other computer is broken so the quality has been shrunken... C&C!

 

[texkam]

#1 and 3, let the horse run into some air as you did in #2.

 

[CourtneyCollins]

#1 and 3, let the horse run into some air as you did in #2.

I cropped them

 

[gsgary]

Loks lime you have missed the peak action an nit very flattering how yiu hav caught the horses legs

 

[raaskohx10]

A lower angle would have added more drama to these shots. Now they look like everyone else's shots. Try taking shots from new perspectives.

 

[Designer]

#1 and 3, let the horse run into some air as you did in #2.

I cropped them

What texkam has meant is that you should have left more space in front of the horses' heads, as if they are not going to run right out of the frame.

 

[runnah]

#2 is the strongest of the set.

 

[imagemaker46]

I like the second one, the shadow makes this one work. The other two, while there is more action, they are too busy. Second one has such a nice feel to it, with that light.

 

[gsgary]

Loks lime you have missed the peak action an nit very flattering how yiu hav caught the horses legs

Bloody big fingers and smart phones

 

[terri35 7]

I agree with what's been said about allowing more space in the frame in #s 1 and 3.

If the last image is from a barrel race, which is what it looks like, then that horse just cut/pivoted around that barrel as tightly as he could, and is extending to begin hauling butt back down the line, so those legs look exactly as they should for that activity. I'm noticing the trail of dust, the rider's grip on the horn and the angle of the reins on the neck; all suggest a hard turn. (Don't let certain comments throw you if you know what the horse is doing; it may not be clear to all viewers but is certainly an exciting action shot if you watch barrel racing.) That said - you do still need to allow for some space in the frame on the right for better composition.

Good job.

 

[gsgary]

I agree with what's been said about allowing more space in the frame in #s 1 and 3.

If the last image is from a barrel race, which is what it looks like, then that horse just cut/pivoted around that barrel as tightly as he could, and is extending to begin hauling butt back down the line, so those legs look exactly as they should for that activity. I'm noticing the trail of dust, the rider's grip on the horn and the angle of the reins on the neck; all suggest a hard turn. (Don't let certain comments throw you if you know what the horse is doing; it may not be clear to all viewers but is certainly an exciting action shot if you watch barrel racing.) That said - you do still need to allow for some space in the frame on the right for better composition.

Good job.

But where is the shot of the turning horse, i have never been to this event but have seen it on tv and know what shot i would want as the horse is bending round the barrel, more extreme than this http://gsgary.smugmug.com/Sports/Chatsworth-Horse-Trials-2011/i-ksrNCXN/0/XL/MB5C5400-XL.jpg

 

[CourtneyCollins]

I agree with what's been said about allowing more space in the frame in #s 1 and 3.

If the last image is from a barrel race, which is what it looks like, then that horse just cut/pivoted around that barrel as tightly as he could, and is extending to begin hauling butt back down the line, so those legs look exactly as they should for that activity. I'm noticing the trail of dust, the rider's grip on the horn and the angle of the reins on the neck; all suggest a hard turn. (Don't let certain comments throw you if you know what the horse is doing; it may not be clear to all viewers but is certainly an exciting action shot if you watch barrel racing.) That said - you do still need to allow for some space in the frame on the right for better composition.

Good job.

I took these in the summer last year also, and thank you! I do understand what they are talking about with letting there be more space to the right...

& To gsgary..... obviously I didn't get the shot as she was turning the corners, I was going for the full out hauling butt shots...not tight wrapping around a barrel.

 

[Designer]

obviously I didn't get the shot as she was turning the corners, I was going for the full out hauling butt shots...not tight wrapping around a barrel.

Next time you get the chance, try to catch the action at the turn. The horse is going slower, and at a place that is easily predicted, namely the barrel. Your shutter speed and aperture should be able to be set at the optimum for the conditions.

 

[terri35 7]

Well, that's just personal preference and photographer's choice. The OP chose not to get the typical barrel race shot, which is the expected tight turn; she simply chose for the moment coming out of the turn, as the animal begins to lunge forward and haul butt. With more frame space, it would be quite a perfect shot, as she well succeeded with what she was going for. The horse and rider are crisp, there's dust and flying reins - great action, and the horse looks awesome. He just needs room in the frame.

 

[CourtneyCollins]

Well, that's just personal preference and photographer's choice. The OP chose not to get the typical barrel race shot, which is the expected tight turn; she simply chose for the moment coming out of the turn, as the animal begins to lunge forward and haul butt. With more frame space, it would be quite a perfect shot, as she well succeeded with what she was going for. The horse and rider are crisp, there's dust and flying reins - great action, and the horse looks awesome. He just needs room in the frame.

Now that's what I like to hear! Well... see Thank you!!