Horse jumping shooting - help needed

[Alex_Zabrovsky]

Thanks Lynn, Paul for your response.
I've just completed loading all the stuff intended to be exhibited, near 200 images.

I thought it may be worthwile to build some kind of advise list based on my experience shooting this tournament for next sessions of this kind to avoid the mistakes.

Meanwhile I thought as follows:
1. Always try to keep sunlight (or other main light source if applicable) behind me to avoid heavy shading on dark-tone horses and to emphase horse muscule texture during jump.

2. Once shooting black hourses under sunlight, some half stop + exp. compensation would be necessary to keep black horse skin tone from blocking by automatic exposure slightly fooled by overall brightness.
May result is some overexposure of highlights, but then the main subject is horse and his rider.

3. Do not shoot jump straight-on, always try to keep at least slight angle to teh jump direction. Straight-on jumps seldom look favorable for the horse.

4. Try to keep tighter compositions in most cases to fill the frame with horse and rider, including using vertical compositions. Besides, a EF x1.4 multiplier may be desirable to complete with 70-200 range to have better coverage on full frame. I think I'll move the multiplier purchase to the head priority in my "wish list"... :-)

I think keeping these rules may also improve my hit rate and reduce wasted film bulk to the potentialy unsuccessful shoots.

Would be glad to hear your opinions, guys.

Also, I paid a little thought how to try some sales to spin off from this session (and possible some future cooperation):
I will choose one (or two) best images to be printed out having my name, site and phone number watermaked at the edges and will award them (not sure framed or not) to the organizer of this event (a farm owner). Besides will probably choose about 20 best images, to be printed out for my hard copy portfolio to have it with me when I intend to visit people/locations that may be potentially interested in this kind of work.

Regards, Alex

[DavidSchneider]

Paul and Will,

The only shots I've taken with legs fully extended on the way down are by mistake, or over large water jumps on xc course. I've also notice a good number of shots in magazines with legs extended going down. I was thinking about starting to take a few of them, but I also don't remember selling any going down shots like that (not including water jumps). I wonder if those published shots were taken by the editor or rider's uncle or something, rather than a professional.

-David Schneider

[MarkVigna]

I agree with Will.
Quality over quantity. Practice , get the timing down and only keep the best shots.
Mark

[MarkVigna]

This is true. I have also been on the other side of this.
Watch out for "poachers" with pro gear. If you are he show photographer let them know. Be nice but be firm.If they are shooting a friend fine. Make sure that is all they shoot.
Mark

[Alex_Zabrovsky]

Thanks all of you.
I wonder the thread is still alive and your helpful comments keep coming. :-)

Chances I'll be shooting another tournament of this kind withitn 2-3 weeks, if this will happer, will try to employ your advises to fetch more successsful shots out of this event.