Posted by Jennay Link: http://www.manephoto.com
on 7/10/2002, 11:57 am
Hi Erin,
Your trouble with "catching" the hunter at the just the right moment over the jump is very common. I love to shoot hunter&jumpers, however it take alot of work and I think it is one of the hardest type of shows to do. You really have to concentrate with each shot and watch your timming.
If you can set your camera to manual mode it may elimate your delay problem.
Here are some tips I have learned over the years:
Choose the most colorful fence inwhich riders are jumping into the sun
Watch your background use a large f-stop 3.5 or 4
Maybe work on your technique on jumpers. They are jumping spreads or oxers and higher fences and are in the air longer than most hunters. This gives you time to work on timing. Also if you are shooting film camera. Take out you film and practice on timing. Sometimes with the correct angle you don't necessary need to have the horse sitting on the jump. You want the knees of the horse up as tight as possible and be able to see the riders. Sometimes they duck to one side so you cannot control this. Just keep shooting and you will soon get you timing down to where you are pretty much right on most of the time. Another tip when shooting H&J shows is to photograph the little tkes as well even crossrails class. I have found that they buy more than the large hunter classes because they have not had their pics taken as much. You can always find a mom and dad who had their little one in their fist show and they will want lots of pics.
Well good luck and if you love doing it you will do well!!!
Jennay
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