Want to learn about dressage? Try immersion... I just spent two, intense, but fantastic days shooting a new sport for me, while trying to deal with less than ideal lighting situations.
The Alamo Dressage Association hosted their Spring show at the San Antonio Rose Palace the weekend of March 21-22, 2009. Three rings, two days, over 90 riders/horses and me trying to figure how to shoot the indoor rings with low light (Nikon D700, 70-200/2.8, ISO 2500-4000), bad backgrounds, all while trying to learn what makes a horse and rider look great. You can read up on any new sport to get a sense of what makes a good photo, but I had the fortune to be able to pick the brains of top riders, coaches and trainers and a seemingly never-ending supply of riders to refine my technique on. Three rings, a new rider every nine minutes or so and me with a camera. Way cool!
If you ever get a chance to attend a dressage event, go with a sense of patience and appreciation for the nuances...and watch the top class riders. They had their horses doing moves I'm not sure I can do with only two feet.
Alamo Dressage Association Spring Show 2009 Photo Galleries
