Equus ferus caballus

Gallery: Man & FaunaPosted January 31, 2016257 views4 comments

I am surprised that this is the first horse photo in the Man & Fauna gallery! Where I live, horses seem to be the most visible domestic animals. That may seem odd for New York State, but I live close to Saratoga Springs, home of a famous thoroughbred track and a popular harness racing track. Many local people are involved with horses in one way or another. For example, my next door neighbor grew up barrel racing, and is now an equine veterinarian, and her boyfriend is a horse trainer.

Even in such a "horsey" environment however, I rarely photograph horses. This photograph is from a race last summer at the Saratoga Race Course. I shot at 1/1250 sec. so panning with the horses did not result in much motion blur in the background. To help separate the horses and jockeys from the trees, I added a little extra motion blur. Not sure if that means this should be in the Photo Art Gallery, but I didn't think it was that artistic. ;^)

Canon 7D2, 100-400
1/1250 sec. @ f/7.1; ISO 640
Motion blur on background using PSCC

Comments

4 comments

Comment posted by Mike Ramy on February 1, 2016 at 9:48 AM

Hey Wayne,
This is a beauty, the sense of movement and the sheer power one feels when viewing this image is very enjoyable. The detail, rich color pallet along with the pano crop are all wonderful aspects that takes this composition to the next level. I am especially impressed with how you nailed the exposure. A perfect balance between the light and dark areas complimented by an outstanding sun angle gives the amazing muscle tones in the horses that you captured.
I like this a lot, well done . . . devil

Registered on June 16, 2012, 567 Posts, 2809 Comments

Comment posted by Cay-Uwe Kulzer on February 2, 2016 at 8:50 AM

Wayne,

I agree with Mike's comments pointing to the power, speed, and tension that this image shows.

Basically your idea of including some motion blur is a good one and if you have the time I would try a bit harder on that since it is a bit noticeable enlightened

Technically you made a good job and I am with Mike, you manage the light situation very good devil

Registered on January 27, 2004, 494 Posts, 4021 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on February 6, 2016 at 5:17 PM

Great depth of focus and sense of motion Wayne. The detail in the horses' bodies is amazing. I can feel the energy of the monment.

Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on February 7, 2016 at 9:22 AM

Hi Wayne,

I'm in complete agreement with your re: being surprised more horse shots (both ferals and "domestics") haven't emerged in this gallery yet. Even though your shutter speed did mostly "neutralize" the panning effect, the subjects are nicely isolated from the foreground and background and there's no mistaking where your eye should go. And...your high shutter speed certainly helped capture those rippling muscles on the horses!

Thanks for sharing this one...hopefully we'll see more horse shots soon!

Cheers...

Brad

PS: I think we can let the motion blur go and not relegate you to the Photo Art Gallery! enlightened

Registered on May 29, 2007, 431 Posts, 6061 Comments