Arabian Show Jumping

Sexy6Chick

My first time shooting horse jumping, just wanted to post up some of my shots. I wasn't near as close as I wanted to be, but the setup of the area didn't give me a lot of options. I shot pictures standing on the top row of some bleachers and some from the top of a small hill. I know I have a lot to learn when it comes to shooting this but I can't wait to do more C&C welcome.

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HoofClix

Ah the Arabian concave nose and tail to the sky!!!

You have some pretty well times shots here, even the ones from the rear-oblique.. You might try either setting you camera to shutter priority at a minimum of 1/800 to an aperture that is open enough to give you a much faster speed..

Sometime at horse-shows you just can't do anything about the backgrounds..

Sexy6Chick

Thanks for looking, and for the information, I will definitely give the 1/800 setting a try next time.

jimqjr

Hello Natalie
Shots look great. I would even go to 1/1000th on your shutter speed if you have the ability. You can always blur the background with a larger aperture or by using a longer lens all will help with the backgrounds.
Have a great one.

Sexy6Chick

I shot these with my 70-300 which is the longest lens I have at the moment. Working on saving up for some lenses. Thanks for the recommendations, hopefully I'll have an opportunity to put them to use sooner than later.

Mike J

Good start. I will echo the advice about getting the shutter speed up to eliminate the motion blur (really noticeable in #5).

The main problem I think you are having is that at 300mm that lens is at f/5.6 which is pretty slow for trying to do this. Saving for a new lens will help but in the mean-time:

1) Try shooting in aperture priority mode if you are not. Set it to the min and then dial up the ISO as much as you dare so you can keep the shutter speed up in the 1/1000 range. You will still NOT have a deep DOF but at least you will get the faster shutter speed. The new lens will help the DOF but you still need to watch your backgrounds.

2) Watch your horizons (or at least crop to straighten). Several of these (7,9,11,12) are crooked.

Great start. Practice and more practice (and have fun!)

HoofClix

Mike J wrote:

1) Try shooting in aperture priority mode if you are not. Set it to the min and then dial up the ISO as much as you dare so you can keep the shutter speed up in the 1/1000 range. You will still have a deep DOF but at least you will get the faster shutter speed. The new lens will help the DOF but you still need to watch your backgrounds.

This is actually the way that I do it. I do try for much higher shutter speeds than 1/800, but that's just a minimum.

Also, it looks in a few that you are fixing on the jump and shooting as the horse goes through. #5 exhibits this with the clear background and blurred horse. You need to try to follow the horse in your shots..

In my opine, the 70-300 out to 300 is just not an accurate lens. I think you'll get better image quality if you just go no past 250 with it, then follow all the other advice..

Sexy6Chick

Lots of good information in here, thanks for the input everyone. Lots of practice needed obviously. Appreciate you all taking the time to look and share your information.