2009 Gold Cup Steeplechase races

[skittledoo]

I worked at the Gold Cup races this past Saturday and had an absolute BLAST! I found a little free time to do some photography. The sky was kinda overcast most of the day and the grass is still brand new and bright green. There are a lot of photos so hold off until I'm done posting all of them before you comment. I do really want some feedback though especially since I'm trying to improve as a photographer. This was my first time really using my 70-300mm lens much and this was also my first time really trying any kind of action photos. Since I shot completely manual, it did take some effort to get my zoom where I wanted it and have the subject in focus to take the picture... everytime I had it the way I wanted it my subject was already out of the frame... I did snag some good ones though.

Here they are!

This one I need to edit out the white streak thing coming off the top of the horse's head. I just noticed that.

*Don't comment yet. There are MORE*

 

[skittledoo]

This one is definitely out of focus a little but it gives them a glow and I really love it

I wanted to take this rider back home with me... ya ummm...

Again the focus is off ever so slightly... hard to stay focused when zoomed in so much and have a moving subject

*Even MORE coming. I told you there are lots*

 

[skittledoo]

This guy was standing over by one of the jumps

This guy was one of the official photographers. If you look you can see part of his Nikon strap... I recognize the Nikon straps just about anywhere

Another one of the photographers

This horse was the winner of the first race

This horse was being stubborn

Notice the camera crew in the background

If anyone is amazing at photoshop and wants to try and take this car out of the background please do. It's frustrating me and I don't want it there.

*Even MORE*

 

[skittledoo]

One of my fav shots. The rider lost his reins when he went over this jump. He did manage to catch himself at the landing though.

The rider I wanted to take home with me

Just a couple more. I'm almost done

 

[skittledoo]

and last but not least... this has nothing to do with Gold Cup... but I wanted to share this photo I did of my friend's son Cole.

OK I'm done. Now I need some feedback. What do you honestly think?

 

[RedyreRottweilers]

I love them all, but OMG that baby is adorable. What a fabulous shot.

 

[skKi]

I'm in awe of this shot. I love candids more than anything.

 

[Zoom]

I love my 70-300, it is--was--my favorite lens. It's broken at the moment.

They are all awesome, I'm beyond jealous you got to do that but this one is my favorite. How did you get it??

 

[skittledoo]

Zoom... that one I photoshopped some to make the clouds more pronounced and to bring a little more clouds in... I used the burning tool a lot

 

[Brandyb]

WOW - great photos!! Excellent job - lots of feeling in them, and great action shots!!!

 

[Amber]

Beautiful! What camera do you use?

 

[CharlieDog]

OK I'm done. Now I need some feedback. What do you honestly think?

I LOVE them. WOW. And I WANTWANTWANT that horse!

I do have a question. Whats with that VEINY horse? Did they shave him or something? Thats a little freaky looking...

 

[Dakotah]

Great shots!
That rider you wanted to take home... I want his horse.

 

[JessLough]

I love love love those shots!

Completely off topic, but I'm very weary of the condition of a couple of those horses...

 

[Inga]

Absolutely BEAUTIFUL pictures!

I would take any of the horses AND your favorite rider.

Holy Veins on the first few pictures!

 

[BostonBanker]

Wow, those are some impressive pictures! I'm seriously in awe!

I do have a question. Whats with that VEINY horse? Did they shave him or something? Thats a little freaky looking...

He may be clipped, or just have a very slick coat. It's a hot horse, cooling himself off. Although he never gets that dramatic, even my thick-skinned warmblood gets pretty veiny when he's working hard.

Completely off topic, but I'm very weary of the condition of a couple of those horses...

Really? A bunch of them aren't coming up for me, but the ones I can see look fantastic. I was actually going to comment on that. What worries you about them?

 

[SizzleDog]

Ahhhh.... a horse after my heart... my favorite color, by far!

 

[AndrewF]

Excellent shots all around. I think my fav. is the one you took of the photographer though. That's an excellent exposure and framing. The sky really makes it!

As for the rest, I really enjoyed #4, #7 & #9 of the second post. For the 4th post, I loved #2.

Great work!

 

[Pam111]

Gorgeous! I love these

 

[skittledoo]

Thanks guys!

Ahhhh.... a horse after my heart... my favorite color, by far!

The dappled grey colors are my fav too