A Day at the Races

[Juanito200]

While on vacation in Hot Springs Arkansas, we went to Oaklawn Park racetrack to watch the horse races. Dannelle and I had never seen horse racing and we enjoyed taking the kids to see it. All shots are with a700 and either 16-105 or 100-300apo. Let me know what you think... John

[Juanito200]

And, my favorite shot, though not as sharp as the others, I think the timing was just about perfect... (pure luck) I was machine gunning it I'm afraid to say....

[Dr. Harout]

The blurrier the background the better it is.
2nd and last shots do show motion.
Probably where you were standing you couldn't pan the camera while taking the shot with a lower speed, e.g. 1/60s and slower (with your tele).
A monopod would've been a great help here.
I see spring is already there.

[Juanito200]

Thanks Doc... I was so preoccupied on getting the horse and rider sharp, I didn't pay much attention to the background as I should have. Unfortunately I have many shots with that stupid Toyota truck in it. We plan to go to a racetrack here in Texas soon, so I hope to try other techniques... Hopefully with some better glass as well.... John

[david antony]

John good shots for a first time at the races. Looking forward to your next outing.

Hope you backed the right horse. ;^)

[Birma]

Race horses like these really look like the Ferrari of their breed. Looks like a fun day out.

What is the new glass you are planning, or is it a surprise ?

[Greg Beetham]

I didn't know they raced Appaloosas, I thought they were more a highly manouverable quarterhorse, stockhorse type. But what the heck that one won a race anyway, must be able to shift along. Those are better shots of horses at high speed than I think I have done, good ones John.
Greg

[Juanito200]

Thanks David Birma and Greg..
Birma- I'm saving all my lens funds for a 70-200 2.8.. It may be a while though...
David... I backed the wrong horse every time I bet. The kids did pretty well however, winning 40 bucks each!
Greg- Is that an Appaloosa?? I've no idea. They were all so beautiful!

[Birma]

I'm saving all my lens funds for a 70-200 2.8.. It may be a while though..

Yes. Definitely in my top 5 as well. Any ideas which way you'll go between sigma and Tamron, or the stunning Sony?

[Juanito200]

I want the Sony, but........ I may have to decide between Tammy or Siggy.....

[Dr. Harout]

There's the new Sigma one which has high rates.
But I would opt for the Sony too.

[gio67]

I love those photos, I must try a day at the races

[UrsaMajor]

I want the Sony, but........ I may have to decide between Tammy or Siggy.....

I cannot comment about the performance of the Sony or Tamron 70-200 f:2.8 lenses, but my son-in-law recently purchased the Sigma 70-200 f:2.8 APO lens for use on his A700, and is quite happy with the lens so far.

FWIW, you can see three images from that lens at in another thread at http://www.photoclubalpha.com/forum/vie ... &start=210

With best wishes,
- Tom -

[aster]

Hi John,

Congratulations on your first on the race tracks.
I don't have one favourite because I think you captured the spirit of horse races in one way or an other in each frame. The composition decisions must have been difficult; which horses to focus on at what DoF and the like.

I like all the shots where the muscle formation and the force of the horse is almost readable from the bodies as force is exerted; full throttle and competition to get ahead really shows of their characters.

As Dr. Harout already mentioned the more the background is out of focus the sharper and focus of attention the horse and the rider becomes...

Good luck on your next race track shooting! : )

Yildiz

[Juanito200]

Those are some nice shots Tom. After I get the hotshoe of my a700 fixed, I'm saving up for the new glass. I would probably go with the Sigma over the Tammy, but I'm not sure.
Thanks gio67 and Yildiz- It was really fun taking them. I was really wanting optimal sharpness, and to be honest, I didn't even consider the background. Definitely a lesson learned. I'm happy with the shots, but Yildiz and Dr. Harout are right- the background is distracting. Here is one last shot where I am glad the background is there in reasonable focus. This horse came out of the gates early, bucking wildly. The track dispatched another horse and rider to help control it. I originally didn't post it because I chopped off the hooves of the horse. But then I saw the guy in the tractor, and decided to process it. Jphn