A bit too close for comfort

Hacker · 11-09-2006, 12:53

I was covering a showjumping final today and thought I'd try some new shots to complement my 'stock' equestrian images so I stuck my 10-20mm on and got in close to a fence. The first couple were okay and then this big bugger nearly took my head off, it might not look like it on here but the 10-20mm gets you really close.

As far as I can tell no other equine photographers offering these so hopefully the unusual angle will attract a few more customers, I'm going to look into remote release options.

Here are another couple taken before I bottled it, having half a ton of horse landing about two feet from you was an interesting experience, a couple of times their hooves caught the bar as they were going across and I remember thinking "Oh ****!" but then seeing the shot on the LCD screen was a bit of an incentive to stay. I had the shutter speed set to 1/800th but it still wasn't quick enough, probably because of the closeness and the fact I wasn't panning.

***Dave*** · 11-09-2006, 12:59

Having the same lens I know how close you were....... nutter

How do riders respond to these shots Colin ? To me it makes the shot a lot more dramatic

**stepheno** · 11-09-2006, 12:59

Awesome shots, Colin. #1 gives the feeling of mass and power, but you should have been a bit closer and got the horses head in

#2 and #3 - I like the catchlight in the horses eye. Although you can't see the riders faces you still get contact with the horse

**Dabhand16** · 11-09-2006, 13:09

Hope your insurance is up to date!

**Angela** · 11-09-2006, 13:28

Wow! I am impressed, that is a much more original angle than you usually get at shows.

Quote:

How do riders respond to these shots Colin ?

I was wondering more if the horses seem at all bothered by you being so close?

Chris · 11-09-2006, 15:28

nicklovick · 11-09-2006, 15:56

I know feel Hacker

Had a few close calls myself with MX bikes, these were shot using a 28mm lens.

These guys almost landed on my head

These guys almost slid into me

And these are the ones I've kept!!!
Think I should be wearing the safty gear to

daveyuk · 11-09-2006, 16:01

Colin I've got the same lens so I know just how naffing close you were.

hells bells though cracking shots, 10 out of 10 for having the bottle to get that close

**Sonsey** · 11-09-2006, 17:13

That was something I was considering trying myself since the 10-20 arrived recently, though after reading your post I'm now thinking twice

Hacker · 11-09-2006, 17:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave

How do riders respond to these shots Colin ? To me it makes the shot a lot more dramatic

I'm not sure yet, just have to wait and see if I get any orders. I think it's good to be able to offer something a bit different from the usual 'stock' shots, whether the customers agree is another matter.

Quote:

I was wondering more if the horses seem at all bothered by you being so close?

They didn't seem to be as I was crouching down behind one of the wings, it was also a double jump (I was on the second) so hopefully they were not too aware, although one rider asked me not to position myself there just in case. I did notice a couple of the horses do the equine version of a double take as they were sailing over the fence!

nicklovick · 11-09-2006, 19:13

A wee word of warning Hacker (well a photo)

ln1977 · 11-09-2006, 20:10

Likeing these such a shame you didn't have the horses head on the first shot it would've been an award winner

***Dave*** · 12-09-2006, 09:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicklovick

A wee word of warning Hacker (well a photo)

So that's what a tilt & shift lens looks like