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I hadn't previously shot harness racing, so it was a quick learning curve when i was asked to get various shots of one of only two local meetings annually. With heavily overcast weather, conditions weren't ideal for high shutter speeds, but at least shadows weren't a problem. All shot @ f5.6 for a reasonable, compromise DOP and ISO 320 to keep the shutter up. A more visible, cluttered background is the downside.

I was offered the chance to shoot from the back of the starting gate vehicle, but asked to take a rain check, for now. An interesting thought, though, with lots of possibilities.

Turning into the straight following race the start. Jostling for positions can get rather hairy. It was a close call but ended without further incident.



Rounding the home turn for the run to the post. The front horse ran away with it.



Like this.



Horses can smile for the camera, too. This bloke was particularly happy with himself after winning a race.

gotta love that last one - great timing there!

I also really like the second last - check out how long the back legs are and how close they 'appear' to be to the jockey. I would not have my nuts on the line like that.

I reckon the overcast conditions have helped, the lighting is nice and diffused and all teh images have nice contrast and colour.

biggerry wrote:
I also really like the second last - check out how long the back legs are and how close they 'appear' to be to the jockey. I would not have my nuts on the line like that.

I hadn't actually noticed that before you mentioned it, but each time i look at it now I'm grimacing in anticipated pain. Perhaps that's the horse's 'get back' at the driver for smacking the horse on the butt with a whip?

As good as the last of these is, the first is simply splendid. You have colour, action, excitement ... focus and exposure nailed. What more could you want?

I'd be interested to see some shots from the starting gate vehicle. I can't help but think it may be a bit too restrictive a viewpoint, and suspect that a wide angle lens may be the order of the day, but it would certainly be an interesting thing to try.

What happens after the race gets under way? Does the vehicle peel off to one side, or does it continue some way in front of the racing horses? If the latter, then that would certainly present some interesting options.

The last one is brilliant.

gstark wrote:
I'd be interested to see some shots from the starting gate vehicle. I can't help but think it may be a bit too restrictive a viewpoint, and suspect that a wide angle lens may be the order of the day, but it would certainly be an interesting thing to try.

What happens after the race gets under way? Does the vehicle peel off to one side, or does it continue some way in front of the racing horses? If the latter, then that would certainly present some interesting options.

It accelerates away while the gates fold closed, then pulls high up on the track and slows. It would give about 20 seconds while the horses move up to the gate at a required 60ks starting speed, then about another 10 seconds after the start. Long enough to get a decent series as long as you're prepared and know what you want, but doing it while trying to hang on and stay reasonably steady in the back of a ute.

I'm tempted to try it after they offered to have a practice run on a trial day. If i can find a way of sitting at the rear so i don't have to worry about hanging on, i'll give it a go. Nothing ventured............

CraigVTR wrote:The last one is brilliant.

Thanks Craig, but I informed the horse that of he wanted any more shots he'd best clean his teeth beforehand.

norwest wrote:I hadn't actually noticed that before you mentioned it, but each time i look at it now I'm grimacing in anticipated pain. Perhaps that's the horse's 'get back' at the driver for smacking the horse on the butt with a whip?

norwest wrote:If i can find a way of sitting at the rear so i don't have to worry about hanging on, i'll give it a go. Nothing ventured............

several cushions and a couple of ratchet straps would be in order

Great set as others have stated. It looks like the 'jockey' (?) has very limited forward vision from the seated position on the chair.

biggerry wrote:
several cushions and a couple of ratchet straps would be in order

From nut crushing to tie down strapping! Gerry, I'm worried about the theme developing here.

Geoff M wrote:Great set as others have stated. It looks like the 'jockey' (?) has very limited forward vision from the seated position on the chair.

Yes, the mane view for the driver tells quite the tail of the awareness required to get one's butt into gear to enable the harnessing of one's senses and be off & running without being too sulky about it.
Having to look to the rear to see forward, would be enough to whip myself into a frenzy and hoof it right outa there.

norwest wrote:
Yes, the mane view for the driver tells quite the tail of the awareness required to get one's butt into gear to enable the harnessing of one's senses and be off & running without being too sulky about it.
Having to look to the rear to see forward, would be enough to whip myself into a frenzy and hoof it right outa there.

Good action photographs, but they the last
one is classic.