Judy's Photoblog
He seemed to have a mission...
Posted by Judy (Brooksville, Florida, United States) on 29 January 2008 in Lifestyle & Culture and Portfolio.
Here is the first of three more from the Brooksville Raid...
Thank you so much for visiting my blog; your comments are greatly appreciated. I apologize for not getting to all of your posts. I will visit as time permits.
---~--- Philippians 4:13 'We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.' ... <*}}}><
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Mandy from South Africa
A stunning Capture Judy - great composition. The soldier definitely looks to be on a mission of some kind
29 Jan 2008 6:14am
@Mandy: If it had been a video, you would have seen just how fast he was riding; I'm amazed that the camera stopped his motion so completely. Thank you, Mandy, for your comment,
Michael Skorulski from Cigel, Slovakia
This is dramatic and interesting to see what will happen.
29 Jan 2008 2:16pm
@Michael Skorulski: Thanks, Michael; there were so many interesting people taking part in this reenactment.
Ina from Krugersdorp, South Africa
I like the colors of the flag standing out against the dead tree. You have captured a nice action shot here. One of the tips I got from Digital Photography School for action photography is to give moving subjects space to "move into". More space in front of the horse than behind. If your subject was on the right, the result would have been totally different.
If the moving thing approaches an edge, it may seem it's about to "fall off", which is discomforting to the viewer. (they say) ;) - or the horse is about to run off the photo instead of into the photo to lead the eye.
The reason that this compositional technique is used is that when someone views an image and spots that your subject is moving in a direction - their eye naturally moves in that direction too. It's quite instinctive.
Working with the way your viewer will instinctively view your image helps to create balance, drama and anticipation in your shot
Just thought I'll share it with you. Hope you find it helpful!
29 Jan 2008 2:48pm
@Ina: Thank you, Ina, for your comment; I appreciate it.
In this case, I didn't have much time to capture this man on his horse and the 'action' or background interest was only to the right. Sadly. turning left, I would have captured the horse and rider along with the spectators in the background ..... not very attractive or keeping w/the period dress of those taking part. Hence, my horseman is riding "off the edge." *smile*
Next year I would like to position myself in a different area!
Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada
Fantastic photo!!! and INA, I loved the info you shared!!! (ps he can come across my screen any time ;)
29 Jan 2008 2:58pm
@Lorraine: Thanks, Lorraine. I don't know if you read my response to her, but I truly appreciated it.
At a spectator event, it's always a challenge to capture the subject and not the "mess of people." :D
@Hinah: Thank you, Hinah!
Chris from South Jersey, United States
Nice capture - and Ina's comments are interesting. My personal photography skills are lacking when it comes to photographing people and this type of help is great..
29 Jan 2008 3:59pm
@Chris: I really appreciated Ina's input. I went back to my portfolio and found that usually I do give 'lead space' to the person, but this time the crowd would have spoiled the mood. :D
Marion Headrick from Canada
I love this shot. I learned the same thing that Ina did which is fine if no spectators are to your left and you have a wide open range. But the effect that I get is that he is riding towards me and going to pass me on the left (thank goodness he isn't going to run me over ;D). I also get the sense that he is in a great hurry and that I should step out of the way. Great capture Judy. Your camera stopped the action beautifully and I think part of that was because of where you were in the scene. Had he been riding across your range of vision there would have probably been a blur, but that would have depicted action too. That is my 2 cents worth for the day.
29 Jan 2008 4:34pm
@Marion Headrick: I'm thrilled with the discussion this photo brought forth. It's wonderful to have input and learn from others' ideas. I hope I didn't sound defensive when I explained that the crowd of spectators would have spoiled the shot if I'd shot more to the left. I like your idea that he's riding diagonally toward me. :D
Japanalia from Yokohama, Japan
My humble opinion is that you might have cropped him quite close and we'd have had a nice portrait of a man in action, because HE is the one of interest in this entire shot!
30 Jan 2008 2:06pm
@Japanalia: You're right, but I felt having the others in the shot shows where he was coming 'from'...
There's always room for more opinions, though!
Barbara from FloridaIt, United States
Judy, I find this outstanding. The man and the horse are in the moment of the era re-inacted here. I read the comments and suggestions. I must say Ina expressed a wonderful point to keep in mind for future photos, including my own. I respect and welcome the suggestions and opinions given here on AM3. I also understand your positon at the event making it difficult. Although going with what you captured it is magnificent as it shows what is taking place in the background. Nice to see the old flags. This has an authentic appeal to it.
Very nice.
30 Jan 2008 4:37pm
@Barbara: Thanks, Barb. ... I too, welcome the suggestions and opinions. I want to improve my work!
Porcsin from Debrecen, Hungary
I really like your pictures from the Brooksville Raid!
31 Jan 2008 10:59pm
Russ Devan from New Hanover, United States
Beautiful shot, Judy. I love history and seeing re-enactors such as these folks. The muted colors are very nice and I love that beautiful black horse. Very nice.
30 Aug 2008 2:52pm
@Russ Devan: Thanks, Russ. I don't know if your read other comments, but one was about the subject riding 'off the edge of the photo' - and I didn't have time to move and catch a better shot. I was pleased with both the horse and rider along with the 'troops' off to the right behind him. This reenactment is an annual affair, so hopefully I'll get to get more photos in January 09.
Sony DSLR-A100
1/320 second
F/6.3
ISO 160
200 mm