Point to Point

[EdwardL]

No macros in this one LOL  I'm thoroughly enjoying the macro shots (as I've recently acquired a macro lens) but thought I'd post something different for my first "proper" thread.

I was asked to photograph our Point to Point which has its advantages and disadvantages.  Free entry, go wherever I want to but I cannot just concentrate on the jumps - there's an obligation to capture as much as possible, all the winners, all the horses before, during and after the race, the sponsors and goodness knows what else.  I will probably post some more up of the day and if I do they will be a different genre and style of photography.

While I appreciate this is my first image post, please PLEASE do feel free to express a niggle, critique or whatever.  Why?  I want to improve my photography and if everyone says "Nice shot" or similar, I will never know what I'm doing wrong.  Secondly, I want to gain a qualification this year (RPS) and they'll shoot me down in flames if necessary!!  Without further ado:

1.

2.

3. There weren't enough horses so I tried making silly noises at dogs instead

4. Oops!  Here are some more ...

Hope you enjoy!

[Korky]

Very nice images - I think number 2 is possibly the strongest because of the great rider's expression, it's such a shame the lower quarter of the horses head is cut off.

Number 4 is good too - I can almost hear the hooves thumping on the grass.

The dog is cute certainly, but it's not a strong image and I think the 3 point to point shots would have looked stronger without the pooch.

Hope that helps.

Korky

[EdwardL]

Hope that helps.

Korky

​Most definitely, and thank you!  Perfect!!

Valid point about the dog - might have been different if it was a labrador  but I do agree, now you've mentioned it.  A good observation.

[ChrisLumix]

Love the  dog shot!

[EdwardL]

Love the  dog shot!

​LOL!!

[Phil]

1 and 4 are excellent, with 4 taking it by a neck
I'm afraid the cars and lack of the horse's nose spoil #2. Pooch is a good shot but doesn't really have a place in this series.

Incidentally, the link to your web site in your sig doesn't seem to be working.

[EdwardL]

Thank you, Phil.

I can see why should have left the pooch out.

Interesting that you and Korky suggest the horse's nose should be included.  I was trying to emphasise the girl's eyes and expression with the horse's ears and eyes but it seems that I've cropped in too much.  (The original image has much more included so not all it lost.)

Thank you for pointing out the link mistake - hopefully all fixed now.  You can see me winning an Oscar in my recent gallery lol

[Phil]

Interesting that you and Korky suggest the horse's nose should be included.

Thank you for pointing out the link mistake - hopefully all fixed now.

​ There is obvious determination in the jockey's eyes, would it be possible to crop in further to lose the horse head completely?

Glad you got the link sorted, not a lot of point having a sig that doesn't work

[ChrisLumix]

​LOL!!

​???

I was quite serious. I like that shot the best, the way the dog has its head quizzically on one side. I'm not all that about horses, I'm afraid.

[EdwardL]

Many thanks again.  Chris - just a silly giggle - two persuade me that perhaps I shouldn't have the dog in the sequence then you pop in and say it's the best one   Avoiding horses saves you loads of pounds - dogs are much cheaper generally.  And safer!!

Anyways, two more different crops as per the suggestions.  Not sure if I like them as much but wouldn't the world be a dull place if we all liked the same but on second looks, the lack of the steed's head does make it more interesting I feel.

[Phil]

wouldn't the world be a dull place if we all liked the same...

 

​It would indeed, and my opinion is that it's made a world of difference

[Ryewolf]

Yes, I also prefer the tighter crop on the jockey in the last image, it emphasis the jockey.

[Guest]

Yes, I also prefer the tighter crop on the jockey in the last image, it emphasis the jockey.

​I agree with Ryewolf it certainly makes the image stronger.

But I would certainly be blurring the background more to lose the distraction of the parked cars being so obvious.

A quick and dirty edit

 

[Ryewolf]

Yes, that was also my thought too.

[EdwardL]

Now why didn't I think of that?! 

That's a great idea.  The ideal of course is to find your background first but it wasn't possible in this instance as about 2 minutes after they cross the finishing point here (where all the cars are parked ) I have to be up at the winners enclosure which is a fair distance away and I have to run to ensure I'm there ready for them, about 2½ minutes later.

Thanks for the thought - one for the future in similar circumstances.

[Ryewolf]

Yes, I know what you mean about not always having a choice in picking your background. Another option is to do a panning shot on a slowish shutter speed, I've not tried it myself - it's supposed to be fairly tricky to get right - JamWheel might be the one to ask as he uses panning shots on his aviation images.