Sorry, the title could have been better

This week I had a shoot with the lovely Jessica Fisher at her stables in Suffolk. Whilst I got some nice shots of her on her own and with one of the horses static we tried some of her cantering. Just two runs which gave me some practice. As Jes came up the path I fired off a few shots using auto focus on her face as a single spot, ISO at 500 in AV mode. The main problem was it was very sunny and just after midday it was high in the sky so cast quiet a shadow over her face.

I was wondering what others would shoot moving horses and riders at, their exposure starting point anyways. Reason for asking is I will probably be at a polo match (Army vs Navy/RAF) on Saturday so will hopefully have more practice weather allowing.

All variations welcome so I can throw them in the mixing pot.

Dave

Nice image

I shoot raw, manual,ss 200 min, f4 - f8 depending on background (clutter etc) iso 100
Back button focus with Ai-Servo. If the weather is looking dodgy i will
change to Av mode.

Hope that helps.

I'd treat a polo match the same as motorsport...shutter priority (as slow as you're comfortable with), AI SERVO focussing (or the Nikon equivalent), low-speed continuous (if available), then just change ISO and exposure compensations on the fly.

Once you've got your eye in, you'll notice changes in light +- without taking your eye from the viewfinder and adjust accordingly.

And remember to adjust the exposure for dark and light horses.

You'll soon get the hang of it.

Completely different beast (if you'll excuse the pun) to shooting a model on a horse though !

I've no doubt RedChecker will be along shortly to tell you I've got it all wrong though...

Caution: Internet message boards are not a playground for the hyper-sensitive. NOTHING here (especially my 'attitude') should be taken too seriously.

Paul/Gary

Thanks very much for the responses, I'll definately take the things raised into consideration

Dave

Just wanted to sya thank you to those who responded to the thread and messaged me direct. It was a great experince but damn those horses move quick, really good learning curve.

Time to chew over the results and fathom out the next step, need to consider a longer lens, the pitch was bigger than I calculated.

The polo match was part of Armed Forces Day, in the evening there was a great gig.

Some drummer geezer I've seen before.

2 great images, just be careful the moderators don't pull them for being non modelling related!

quoting post from PhilGW:

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2 great images, just be careful the moderators don't pull them for being non modelling related!

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Thanks Phil.

I had considered the possible removal. As this is mainly the only place I put my photos on I thought I'd risk it to say thank you to those that helped. It was also my second gig shoot and again people on this site had helped.

Dave

Not bad for a first attempt. I've been shooting polo since '93 with varying levels of success. Personally I use aperture priority, setting about f4.5 on as long a lens as I can get my hands on. I've seen 1000mm lenses used at Guards.

One thing to remember - which you will have found out. the boards only mark where the ball SHOULD stay, it often comes over sometimes at great speed, often followed by horse and rider.

another point, the fields does vary in size, Guards and Cowdrey are the largest. others are slightly smaller.

Let me know if you want any more help.

Laurence J. Power

I presume you were at Hurtwood? Seeing as the drummer guy owns the place.... My first and only visit to Polo was there as well about 4 years ago. I too remember thinking wow, the pitch is quite big isn't it...

Yerr... those polo ponies are pretty nifty by design

Well done though Dave, glad you got some good shots

quoting post from GordonF:

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I presume you were at Hurtwood? Seeing as the drummer guy owns the place.... My first and only visit to Polo was there as well about 4 years ago. I too remember thinking wow, the pitch is quite big isn't it...

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Hi Gordon

Yep, Hurtwood Park, Ewhurst lol; Kenney Jones polo club. Been there a few times to watch him and the 'gang' and you drive round the pitch without thinking about.

Hi Laurence

Mad sure I was behind the safety zone, I just cropped the shot to hopefully give a bit more impact. Again thanks for the info.

Hi Karen

Again thank you for the advice.

Right off to look for models who have horses and others that can play the drums

Dave

One guy who shoots at Ham lays down to shoot, thus getting the rider against the sky. It can look good, but if it's really bright it's difficult to get detail in the face due to the shadow caused by the brim of the helmet.

The really nice thing about polo, the people are not like the typical golfer :-)

Laurence J. Power