To flash or not to flash

[Theo Dibbits]

Like Lee I have been putting Phil's teachings to good use.
I shot a charity event this weekend raising money for the livery yard that got burned down and 4 horses died.
The presentation shot was a no-brainer. Forget bounce flash. The roof is 25 feet up and the walls are 30 yards either way.
With 100 people watching from the gallery I simply used Av, ISO 800 and fill in flash. Took several shots dialing in some minus exposure compensation.
This one should be in the BEN today

presentation.jpg (54 KiB) Viewed 4669 times

Outdoor was fine. Cold but very good light.

outdoor.jpg (93.58 KiB) Viewed 4668 times

The real problems were in the indoor arena. When you use flash it is very difficult to get the horse and handler evenly lit. It also made the picture look like some one is stealing the animal in the middle of the night.
So this one is handheld, ISO 800, F4 (wide open), 1/15 Image stabilised
It works as long as no one moves fast.
I tried fill in flash but that only makes sure that the horse moves when you press the shutter.
Bl....y nightmare but it will still make a reasonable 7 x5 snap.

indoor.jpg (77.43 KiB) Viewed 4661 times

Theo

[oakeycoke]

Hi Theo,

As you are aware horses and flash dont usually mix, and indoor arenas are pretty dim light wise, There's a few similar on my website at http://www.photocd4u.co.uk/horse2.html they were going over jumps so flash was a no - no. Iso 800 and shutter at 1/250 to freeze the action called for f/2 or thereabouts. Gave that 'L' prime lens some stick that weekend.

Likewise outside if its raining they aren't happy with colourful umbrellas being spooked easily, so its the wax jacket and clear freezer bag over the camera and lens to keep out the rain. I only recently found out that good horse pics should have their ears perked up and their feet should be in a certain position!!

100 people in the audience and photos in the Bolton news eh - well done you'll be turning professional next,

Phil.

[Andrew Shepherd]

Hi Theo - I really like the second photo - great exposure and colours. The slight blurring to the feet gives it a real sense of movement which is great.

Andrew

[Theo Dibbits]

Thanks lads
Phil you are right "the ears the bl...ears"
I use an empty plastic film container with some stones in it but it does not always work.

I bought 2 optech rain sleeves of ebay for just over a fiver. They have a draw string that fastens behind the lens hood and an opening for the view finder.
Well worth the money

Theo

[jane-f]

Thanks lads
Phil you are right "the ears the bl...ears"
I use an empty plastic film container with some stones in it but it does not always work.

I bought 2 optech rain sleeves of ebay for just over a fiver. They have a draw string that fastens behind the lens hood and an opening for the view finder.
Well worth the money

Theo

Try an empty crisp packet,
as 9 times out of 10 that will work, although you might get one or two that think you have food so might try to mug you,
rattaling something can sometimes un-nerve horses, so they end up loosing there posture (topline)
and it can make them start to shift a little,

Although i am no expert - on the last picture i would have gone round a touch more to your right, taken it sholder on - so you are looking slightly down the body, insted of virtualy side on.

jane