How I spent my weekend...

[Bambi]

A bunch of friends and I headed to New Glasgow to watch a dressage clinic with Steffan Peters. For those who may not know, he was born in Germany but is now a resident in the U.S. He is one of the top ranked riders in the world today. When you go and watch a rider of his caliber teach you can never be sure how they will be-some are arrogant beyond belief. He, however, was a total gentleman. I was completely impressed by his teaching methods and training philosophy. But I digress-I should post all that on the riding BB's. :D

Anyway, I had my camera in tow and had a chance to play with taking photos in very adverse conditions: no flash was allowed, the arena was big but dark for photos and there were patches of bright light where the windows were. Not to mention heads in the way. It gave me a chance to practise taking photos in this setting. :)

Here is a more abstract one of Steffan Peters riding one of the horses :
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3316/4614735305_0c7b1a254a_b.jpg

and here is instructing one of the riders. Her horse was imported from Germany and she is stunningly beautiful.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3393/4614726263_d00421f0d2_b.jpg
(oh and rider isn't bad either :D)

now I just have to remember to reset my ISO before I take more pictures. :fingerscr

[Iguanasan]

Hey, Bambi, sounds like you had a great time. I really like the feeling that the first shot evokes. The heavy shadow gives it a very strong feeling of drama.

[Richard]

These are very nice Bambi, love the dramatic lighting of that first shot.