Sports Playing in the Dirt

icywarm · 07-28-2010, 11:57 PM

I went and shoot some barrel racing... tell me is there too much movement happening here?

The rest can be found here... horse I guess the lady who shots for them normally way over charges and gives bad photos($50 a pop)... I figure I can maybe do better... but I am working on what the feeling should be...

The rest are here... only quick edits... I was more trying to find a style I like...

I took my 75-150 to this one... but I think I found 100 to be about right... so likely a prime next time...

Last edited by icywarm; 07-29-2010 at 12:07 AM.

Adam · 07-29-2010, 01:35 AM

Fantastic work, considering that you were using a manual lens. Even though I think there's a bit too much motion blur, the composition is excellent- and that's what makes a picture

icywarm · 07-29-2010, 08:59 AM

Thanks adam,

I was thinking there was too much motion... just need a critical eye...

I think 1/60 - 1/100 gives me what I am looking for, but I thought I'd get other opnion on a 1/20 one...

**Ash** · 07-29-2010, 11:46 PM

A decent depiction of motion here, but I personally find the 1/20 too slow for that kind of speed - the background panning is perfect, it's just the excessive blurring of the horse's legs that makes it look like one big mush of dirt.

I agree - 1/100 would have come out better

icywarm · 07-30-2010, 12:11 AM

yeah here is 1/120ish range... works better...

clark · 07-30-2010, 06:54 AM

Originally posted by icywarm

yeah here is 1/120ish range... works better...

miles better
that is a keeper- the first one is not

I complete agree with what Ash said about the horses legs looking like mush, also with both subjects moving away from you the picture doesn't really work. The composition is considerably better in the second image
maybe straighten the horizon though

wshi · 07-30-2010, 11:21 PM

I think the second is better largely because you can see her face. But yeah, as others have mentioned you ought to straighten the horizon. I'd get rid of that barrel also, it's pretty distracting and doesn't really add anything to the photo.

clark · 07-31-2010, 06:06 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by wshi

I think the second is better largely because you can see her face. But yeah, as others have mentioned you ought to straighten the horizon. I'd get rid of that barrel also, it's pretty distracting and doesn't really add anything to the photo.

I was thinking to say 'remove the barrel', but then I thought without the barrel it would just look like the horse is falling over- with the barrel it's clear that the horse has run around it
but I agree it would be better if it was a fence or something that looked more like it belonged in the picture

so if you were to comp it out, you'd have to replace it with something

if you think this would be above your skill level in photoshop if you send me the raw/full size processed Jpeg I could comp it out and then render something in 3ds max to fit in with the scene?

wshi · 07-31-2010, 11:10 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by clark

I was thinking to say 'remove the barrel', but then I thought without the barrel it would just look like the horse is falling over- with the barrel it's clear that the horse has run around it
but I agree it would be better if it was a fence or something that looked more like it belonged in the picture

so if you were to comp it out, you'd have to replace it with something

if you think this would be above your skill level in photoshop if you send me the raw/full size processed Jpeg I could comp it out and then render something in 3ds max to fit in with the scene?

I hadn't thought of that... you're quite right, that without something there the horse looks like it's just about toppled over

Rupert · 07-31-2010, 12:33 PM - **1 Like**

Maybe I have a different perspective on these. While I think the 2nd is better for the stated reasons, I would bet that the first, which is my favorite, would receive more attention if printed large and hung for viewing. I always try to envision a photo in print and hanging.....and what its appeal would be in that format. Here, I think the clarity of the rider would draw the eye, but the blur of the situation would make the viewer linger and take in the whole scene and study it with interest, and it does call out for my interest. Combine that with the fact that it is almost a combination photo (the rider) and watercolor painting (the rest of it) and it is most unusual.

Of course, I am just an old Squirrel Shooter, and certainly no art or photo critic with any credentials worth mentioning, but that's how I see it!
Best Regards!

Take-5-JB · 07-31-2010, 01:22 PM - **1 Like**

Just a view point here, but not from a professionally trained eye. Both photos are very good. The first implies a pulse racing level of potential action that is not defined well, but lurking. Sort of like when you were a kid and spun around very fast and the sky and objects blurred. You weren't sure if you would fall or not, but it was stimulating and fun. The second photo defines a situation in time where the horse and rider are trying regain control of their movement. The angles are all over the place with the girl's eyes,the horses head and body, and the horizon all askew. I think the barrel is the antagonist of the action and is necessary to convey the reason for the event. I would be much more concerned about where the speck between the horses right eye and the edge of the photo came from and PP it out.

I'm just an old outdoors guy with off road motorcycle crashing experience. I've seen a bit of the blurring and freeze-frame images in real time. I close my eyes and still can see them. That is what this reminds me of here. The drama of intense action.

JB

icywarm · 08-02-2010, 10:44 PM

Thanks guys... lots of takes on this one... the second one is more what the girls tend to want in barrel racing... ideally you have the barrel in the middle with the horse and rider encircling it.... in this case she did hit the barrel and it is tumbling away... makes for an interesting shot for the sport, but not one she would ever want....

I agree with Rupert about the interesting nature of the first one, but I wanted to see if it was my emotional attachment to the photo or if it really conveyed what I thought it did...

to jump back to the second photo... to me since it is barrel racing and the riders are weaving around the 3 barrels I figure you need to keep it, plus I feel it balances the photo. As to the spot on the photo... I thought that was a mark on my screen... I guess I need to clean my sensor... again...

thanks guys rep all around...

**montman** · 09-10-2010, 09:47 AM

Wonderful capture! I really like the motion and colors.

agsy · 09-11-2010, 04:31 AM

I personally like the first one too, it's kind of unique but it might have been better with a little faster shutter speed.
As it was mentioned, if you would straighten the horizon on the second shot, it would be better. I love the lightning in that shot. Nice job!

07-28-2010, 11:57 PM	#1
icywarm Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Saskatchewan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,278	Playing in the Dirt Lens: Pentax M 75-150 Camera: KX Photo Location: Farm ISO: 200 Shutter Speed: 1/20s Aperture: F5.6 I went and shoot some barrel racing... tell me is there too much movement happening here? The rest can be found here... horse I guess the lady who shots for them normally way over charges and gives bad photos($50 a pop)... I figure I can maybe do better... but I am working on what the feeling should be... The rest are here... only quick edits... I was more trying to find a style I like... I took my 75-150 to this one... but I think I found 100 to be about right... so likely a prime next time... Last edited by icywarm; 07-29-2010 at 12:07 AM.

07-29-2010, 01:35 AM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,597	Fantastic work, considering that you were using a manual lens. Even though I think there's a bit too much motion blur, the composition is excellent- and that's what makes a picture Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
After removing dirt, what is this?	Jimmymack	Pentax DSLR Discussion	12	08-23-2010 04:13 PM
105mm Takumar dirt	eccs19	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	7	01-06-2010 02:06 PM
Dirt on sensor?	MiniMizer	Pentax DSLR Discussion	5	10-29-2008 09:24 AM
Dirt cheap K20D	Big Dave	Pentax DSLR Discussion	7	10-08-2008 09:52 PM
K100D Sensor Dirt.......	John Kovarik	Pentax DSLR Discussion	18	07-05-2008 10:58 PM

07-29-2010, 08:59 AM	#3
icywarm Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Saskatchewan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,278 Original Poster	Thanks adam, I was thinking there was too much motion... just need a critical eye... I think 1/60 - 1/100 gives me what I am looking for, but I thought I'd get other opnion on a 1/20 one...

07-29-2010, 11:46 PM	#4
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	A decent depiction of motion here, but I personally find the 1/20 too slow for that kind of speed - the background panning is perfect, it's just the excessive blurring of the horse's legs that makes it look like one big mush of dirt. I agree - 1/100 would have come out better

07-30-2010, 12:11 AM	#5
icywarm Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Saskatchewan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,278 Original Poster	yeah here is 1/120ish range... works better...

07-30-2010, 06:54 AM	#6
clark Inactive Account Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 301	Originally posted by icywarm yeah here is 1/120ish range... works better... miles better that is a keeper- the first one is not I complete agree with what Ash said about the horses legs looking like mush, also with both subjects moving away from you the picture doesn't really work. The composition is considerably better in the second image maybe straighten the horizon though

07-30-2010, 11:21 PM	#7
wshi Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 455	I think the second is better largely because you can see her face. But yeah, as others have mentioned you ought to straighten the horizon. I'd get rid of that barrel also, it's pretty distracting and doesn't really add anything to the photo.

07-31-2010, 06:06 AM - 1 Like	#8
clark Inactive Account Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 301	Originally posted by wshi I think the second is better largely because you can see her face. But yeah, as others have mentioned you ought to straighten the horizon. I'd get rid of that barrel also, it's pretty distracting and doesn't really add anything to the photo. I was thinking to say 'remove the barrel', but then I thought without the barrel it would just look like the horse is falling over- with the barrel it's clear that the horse has run around it but I agree it would be better if it was a fence or something that looked more like it belonged in the picture so if you were to comp it out, you'd have to replace it with something if you think this would be above your skill level in photoshop if you send me the raw/full size processed Jpeg I could comp it out and then render something in 3ds max to fit in with the scene?

07-31-2010, 11:10 AM - 1 Like	#9
wshi Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 455	Originally posted by clark I was thinking to say 'remove the barrel', but then I thought without the barrel it would just look like the horse is falling over- with the barrel it's clear that the horse has run around it but I agree it would be better if it was a fence or something that looked more like it belonged in the picture so if you were to comp it out, you'd have to replace it with something if you think this would be above your skill level in photoshop if you send me the raw/full size processed Jpeg I could comp it out and then render something in 3ds max to fit in with the scene? I hadn't thought of that... you're quite right, that without something there the horse looks like it's just about toppled over

07-31-2010, 12:33 PM - 1 Like	#10
Rupert Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 25,123	Maybe I have a different perspective on these. While I think the 2nd is better for the stated reasons, I would bet that the first, which is my favorite, would receive more attention if printed large and hung for viewing. I always try to envision a photo in print and hanging.....and what its appeal would be in that format. Here, I think the clarity of the rider would draw the eye, but the blur of the situation would make the viewer linger and take in the whole scene and study it with interest, and it does call out for my interest. Combine that with the fact that it is almost a combination photo (the rider) and watercolor painting (the rest of it) and it is most unusual. Of course, I am just an old Squirrel Shooter, and certainly no art or photo critic with any credentials worth mentioning, but that's how I see it! Best Regards!

07-31-2010, 01:22 PM - 1 Like	#11
Take-5-JB Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: South Carolina Posts: 236	Just a view point here, but not from a professionally trained eye. Both photos are very good. The first implies a pulse racing level of potential action that is not defined well, but lurking. Sort of like when you were a kid and spun around very fast and the sky and objects blurred. You weren't sure if you would fall or not, but it was stimulating and fun. The second photo defines a situation in time where the horse and rider are trying regain control of their movement. The angles are all over the place with the girl's eyes,the horses head and body, and the horizon all askew. I think the barrel is the antagonist of the action and is necessary to convey the reason for the event. I would be much more concerned about where the speck between the horses right eye and the edge of the photo came from and PP it out. I'm just an old outdoors guy with off road motorcycle crashing experience. I've seen a bit of the blurring and freeze-frame images in real time. I close my eyes and still can see them. That is what this reminds me of here. The drama of intense action. JB

08-02-2010, 10:44 PM	#12
icywarm Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Saskatchewan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,278 Original Poster	Thanks guys... lots of takes on this one... the second one is more what the girls tend to want in barrel racing... ideally you have the barrel in the middle with the horse and rider encircling it.... in this case she did hit the barrel and it is tumbling away... makes for an interesting shot for the sport, but not one she would ever want.... I agree with Rupert about the interesting nature of the first one, but I wanted to see if it was my emotional attachment to the photo or if it really conveyed what I thought it did... to jump back to the second photo... to me since it is barrel racing and the riders are weaving around the 3 barrels I figure you need to keep it, plus I feel it balances the photo. As to the spot on the photo... I thought that was a mark on my screen... I guess I need to clean my sensor... again... thanks guys rep all around...

09-10-2010, 09:47 AM	#13
montman Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Kansas City Photos: Gallery Posts: 576	Wonderful capture! I really like the motion and colors.

09-11-2010, 04:31 AM	#14
agsy Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 551	I personally like the first one too, it's kind of unique but it might have been better with a little faster shutter speed. As it was mentioned, if you would straighten the horizon on the second shot, it would be better. I love the lightning in that shot. Nice job!