Training for the Showby
NeuferlandComment by zeuszen: The extremely tight crop (or frame), unfortunately eliminates features of both horse and rider. While the flash appears a little harsh on the horse\'s face, it lacks range to distinguish the sleeve (and possibly the rider\'s wrist and hand) from the jacket.
From an equestrian point of view, a better perspective would be one including, at least, the rider\'s hand and the course of the reigns. This would reveal more of a relationship between the two beings. Ideally the reigns would flat and untwisted also, showing no tension.
The rider\'s hands, here, levy a visible effect on the horse\'s mouth. The position of the bit substantiates the evidence of a hard hand. The horse\'s eye seems to register and reflect this as much as the bright proximity of the flash.
Its head carriage is very high, too, for what appears to be a fairly green horse, but not too unusual for an Arab, certainly.
Equestrian shots, in my experience, are one of the most taxing and difficult of all. Not only does the photographer have to master his/her craft, he/she needs to have a fundamental understanding of horses and the sport to render a -telling- shot. Needless to say, to provide all this while having to battle poor light and changeable conditions which are in constant flux is no picnic.
The thrill and the thing to look for here, IMHO, is a split second of harmony between the two, a kind of suspended animation, which few recognize and even less can capture.
Photographer found comment helpful.
