Dressage Photo Timing

[Divine_Comedy]

Can someone tell me if I’m missing something here?

I am very lucky in that I compete most often at shows where the photographers are talented and high quality. Sometimes they take longer to post photos to ensure quality, and I’m totally fine with that. I’m also very lucky to get dressage photos at many of the shows I compete at, and I am always hopeful for a good shot.

What I don’t understand is the choice of some photographers to give me 50+ photos of the trot work with the exact same foreleg forward, and that foreleg is the FAR foreleg from the camera. This, to me, is absolutely the wrong pose, the wrong timing, and I will not buy a single photo of that. Similarly, perhaps I feel a canter photo is timed awkwardly, and yet I get 20+ photos with the exact same timing, as if they specifically took that photo every. single. stride.

Personally, I think trot work photos should always have the near foreleg forward, creating a clean line from the withers through the shoulder to the toe. I would think it fine if these photographers gave me a variety in the poses, some with near foreleg, some with far foreleg, if they are unsure of what I would really like. Same in the canter work. But they don’t. They’ve decided that the best timing is apparently with the far leg forward and while there are maybe 12-15 shots I would otherwise consider purchasing, I won’t buy any of them because the wrong foreleg is forward.

Am I missing something? Does everyone else want trot photos with the far leg forward?

And is there any harm in trying a variety of timing? I just think it might ultimately sell more dressage photos.

(Yes I know, first world problems, but I’m just frustrated to go through that many photos with identical positioning, each click hopeful that they tweak the timing.)

[Xctrygirl]

Given the atmosphere for current show photographers, I would consider yourself lucky to see any dressage pics, or proofs, at all.

~Emily

[Divine_Comedy]

[QUOTE=Xctrygirl;8339816]
Given the atmosphere for current show photographers, I would consider yourself lucky to see any dressage pics, or proofs, at all.

~Emily[/QUOTE]

And I do…and I’d love to buy more. I just don’t get why they get stuck on the same pose. Which is my question. Seems like they might sell more photos if they changed up their timing in the 75+ photos they post of dressage.

[kcmel]

Maybe they are using a timer? IDK. XC–I AM going to order some photos from the Fair Hill show. The website was crashing last time I tried.

[Joan_from_Flatlands]

Full time eventing photographer here! I do my best to offer a variety of shots from both trot and canter. I dont worry about the leading foreleg personally - I shoot both. I like the shot w a bit more push from the hock than the traditional “M” shot but again I try to post both. I almost never post the shot w one front leg grounded and the other just leaving the ground as to me it is a down hill moment but Im sure some people like that moment so its costing me sales. You just never know!

[LadyB]

Are you sitting trot?
If not, its probably because they don’t want a photo of you standing in your stirrups posting, so with that comes the same leg because you’re always posting/sitting with that diagonal.

Only thing I can think of.

You’re lucky to have someone there to take dressage photos.

[Stushica]

Yep, depending on where their located it’s probably because that’s when your butt is in the saddle.

I was told by a saddle seat rider that the often post on the off diagonal to have better pictures from the photographer.

[Divine_Comedy]

Interesting theory, but yes, I’m sitting the trot.

Joan, thanks for your input, that’s the sort of logic I understand! It doesn’t cost the photographers anything to have a bit of variety in the timing of their photos and in fact could be costing them sales if they only provide one pose the entire time, and the rider doesn’t like that pose.

[BEARCAT]

Don’t get me started!
The photographer at the last event took 5 or 6 photos of riders cantering between jumps, but only one going over a jumpe. Yep, 1, one, uno. Event was in large open field where one could have judiciously positioned oneself to capture several jumping efforts.
Trotting/cantering photos were not even through one of the three waters on course…

Different photographer from 3 weeks ago has not yet posted proofs an their website and has not answered emails.

[SmartAlex]

Saddle Seat horses are traditionally almost always photographed with the far foreleg forward. This gives the illusion of a wider chest but most importantly, it lengthens the line of the neck.

And yes, if I see a photographer coming I will change diagonals.
On a humorous note, I recently participated in a FB discussion where the question is “Why are photographers taking photos with the near leg forward cuz it sucks” :yes:

[SuperOtto]

I’m a show photographer and I always shoot the near foreleg forward. Unless it’s a 10 meter circle or something, then you can get some cool shots with the far foreleg furthest forward. I guess you’ll just have to move to the south

[SuperOtto]

[QUOTE=SmartAlex;8340048]
Saddle Seat horses are traditionally almost always photographed with the far foreleg forward. This gives the illusion of a wider chest but most importantly, it lengthens the line of the neck.

And yes, if I see a photographer coming I will change diagonals.
On a humorous note, I recently participated in a FB discussion where the question is “Why are photographers taking photos with the near leg forward cuz it sucks” :yes:[/QUOTE]

I think this is a good point and it boils down to the photographer needs to know their audience. Breed shows are shot much differently than straight dressage shows.

[SuzieQNutter]

Hubby took a photo years apart. One with me on Sim One with me on Bobby. I thought it was do freaky that they are both in the same part of the trot. There is no way he tried to do that. It was just random.

[Redline_Guy]

@Divine Comedy;8339812

Similarly, perhaps I feel a canter photo is timed awkwardly, and yet I get 20+ photos with the exact same timing, as if they specifically took that photo every. single. stride.

Others have already addressed why many of us time trot photos the way we do. And I do sometimes try to mix it up.

May I ask what, in your opinion, an awkwardly timed canter photo is?

To address another poster’s question about one shot vs. multiples over a fence. My experience is; There usually is one moment for a good photo over a fence, unless you’re shooting Grand Prix. To simply blast away over each fence means, even at 10 frames per second, you are likely to miss that one moment. I would rather rely on my skills than leave getting that one good shot to chance.

[beowulf]

[QUOTE=Redline Guy;8341427]
Others have already addressed why many of us time trot photos the way we do. And I do sometimes try to mix it up.

May I ask what, in your opinion, an awkwardly timed canter photo is?

To address another poster’s question about one shot vs. multiples over a fence. My experience is; There usually is one moment for a good photo over a fence, unless you’re shooting Grand Prix. To simply blast away over each fence means, even at 10 frames per second, you are likely to miss that one moment. I would rather rely on my skills than leave getting that one good shot to chance.[/QUOTE]

I think she means canter photos like these, in which I agree:
example

Not a pro, but I snap pics for friends and like to play around with my pretty nice camera. IME the canter is the hardest for ME at least, to photograph - it has more awkward stages than non-awkward stages.

[RacetrackReject]

[QUOTE=Redline Guy;8341427]
Others have already addressed why many of us time trot photos the way we do. And I do sometimes try to mix it up.

May I ask what, in your opinion, an awkwardly timed canter photo is?

To address another poster’s question about one shot vs. multiples over a fence. My experience is; There usually is one moment for a good photo over a fence, unless you’re shooting Grand Prix. To simply blast away over each fence means, even at 10 frames per second, you are likely to miss that one moment. I would rather rely on my skills than leave getting that one good shot to chance.[/QUOTE]

Yes, I get much better over the jump photos if I focus on the one “money” shot vs spray and pray. When you S&P, without fail, you will end up with one shot too early and one too late.

I’m curious about the canter timing as well because I know what everyone says is the correct timing to get the canter shot (pushing off the hind leg with 3 legs off of the ground), but sometimes there is different moment of the canter that I prefer on certain horses and in certain disciplines.

Then there’s always this bit of canter that I caught at my last event (Egad that’s dark on this computer)… https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t31.0-8/12052548_1051531471537704_195915214367047882_o.jpg

[Divine_Comedy]

[QUOTE=beowulf;8341482]
I think she means canter photos like these, in which I agree:
example

Not a pro, but I snap pics for friends and like to play around with my pretty nice camera. IME the canter is the hardest for ME at least, to photograph - it has more awkward stages than non-awkward stages.[/QUOTE]

Redline Guy, the photo in beowulf’s link is a good example of an awkwardly timed canter photo in my opinion. Again, photos like that happen, but it’s strange to click through 25 photos and it looks like the horse and rider is frozen in time while the background continues to change.

I agree about relying on the photographer’s sense of timing, and I do think that most of them (including the one which I am basing off of right now) have a great sense of timing. Between that, and the fact that all of the photos are timed for the exact same moment in the stride, I know the photographer is purposely timing them for that moment. But…not always a great moment.

I’m just saying, the photographer’s opinion of a well-timed moment may differ greatly from the rider’s opinion. I would think it best to provide a variety of poses in hopes that the rider finds one they like.

[Foxtrot_s]

With six frames a second you should find some place there that suits you.

[Backstage]

[QUOTE=Foxtrot’s;8341790]
With six frames a second you should find some place there that suits you.[/QUOTE]

Honestly, often not. I used to shoot horses quite regularly, and I never relied on the burst mode as it was very hit and miss. I have a very specific moment that I’m looking for, and I need to use my own 'timing to ensure I get it.

As for the OP’s question - I think it really is a matter of personal preference. There are definitely some differences between disciplines as mentioned by another poster, but I’ve had discussions with many people and some dressage/event people do prefer the far-leg forward. Personally, I’m a near-leg girl but when I shoot for sales purposes, I do try and capture both.

I’d send a quick polite note to the photographer, or simply take a moment at an event and mention it. The photographer may not be aware that the near-leg photo has a following.

[heronponie]

Just ask the photographer. It’s all personal preference. My horse looks like a bulldog when shot with the inside foreleg leading.