ATLANTIC POST CALLS: FEATURED PHOTO OF NATHAN SOBEY

I am very honored to announce that one of my very first photos from the Century Downs Race Track from a few weeks ago has made the publication for Atlantic Post Calls. Atlantic Post Calls is a racing publication newpaper (online distribution as well) from Eastern Canada (based out of PEI, Canada)

Thank you to Shannon Sugar Doyle for reaching out to me and thank you to Nathan Sobey for being such a great subject to photograph.

Featured photo: Nathan Sobey
Publication written: Shannon Sugar Doyle
Location: Century Downs Race Track & Casino, Balzac, AB.
 

CUTTING & FENCING AT OKOTOKS AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY

What an event this was to take pictures of. Thank you to Susie Gittens Killam for having me out.

Of all events that I have photographed to date, this was right up there in terms of being the toughest. Not just in terms of the lighting but how much activity was always going on from all over the arena.

It was a very busy arena and I had to move really quick to get the shots that I wanted. Because this was my very first time taking photos of cutting and a bit of fencing (or even seeing it live for that matter), I wanted to focus primarily on the in-arena action so I limited my candid and out of the arena pictures. I only shot this from one side of the arena as the other sides were not accessible for me.

It did not take me very long to get my rhythm down. What an experience this was!

CLICK HERE to view all the photos.

HARNESS RACING AT CENTURY DOWNS RACETRACK & CASINO

Thank you to Chelsea Chase for having me out at the Century Downs Race Track & Casino last weekend. Though it got really muddy, it was still a highly educational day. Lots to learn, get adjusted to and train that muscle memory.

I have to say that photographing Horse Racing is incredibly fun but there is definitely a transition phase and adjustments that I have to make to get settled in. Expect to see better work in nicer weather the next go around!

CLICK HERE to view all the photos. 

Evelyn & Marc Sabraw (R3)

Thank you to Evelyn & Marc Sabraw for being such great hosts and speakers on camera. This was a first experience for the both of them and lets give them a hand for doing such a superb job on camera.

This was a super exciting but also rather interesting experience, interesting in the way of it being -33C on the day we did this shoot so we resorted to do all the speaking indoors. It was cold!!! Thankfully we found a nice small heated spot that provided us with adequate natural light coming through two windows just after the morning sunrise.

It was a very limited space so as much as I wanted to roll more than one camera at a time, the amount of space unfortunately just did not allow for it. Just as a note, I usually shoot with one main camera and one "B" camera that switches back and fourth between the two speakers, perhaps you may see this in future shoots.

Either way it still worked out great as Evelyn and Marc had such great content to share with the Equestrian world. Working with newcomers who have never been on camera before is an area that I have quite a bit of experience in and it's something that I really enjoy doing because speaking on camera is an entirely different experience than just having pictures taken of you.

In terms of filming out in the field, well unfortunately there was also a lot of snow (as it snowed 10cm the day before) with many hard patches of compacted ice, snow and dirt so it made sneak camming out in the fields and paddocks that much more difficult but it was still well worth it to get what we wanted.

I hope you all enjoy the heart felt story that this wonderful couple had to share! 

CAMERA TECH: I WILL ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS!

My Photo Critique challenge from last week resulted in such a high response that I am now running a new one.

For those of you who are shopping for a new camera (or may soon be in the near future or may know someone who will be) or looking to add to your current camera with a new lens, etc, I will take care of any questions you may have.

I follow the industry very closely on a daily basis so I know camera gear and technology very well. I can offer advice on what gear may best suit your needs, what to look for when it comes to buying used gear, etc. Over the years I have used quite a lot of gear from all different manufacturers so I can speak first hand on what which directions to take, which products are truly worth your money and which are best to be avoided.

When you buy a camera, you aren't just buying a camera - you are buying into the system of that one specific manufacturer. Because if you have interest in photography and would like to develop your skills behind the camera, you will eventually need to add lenses, flashes, and other gadgets to the mix.

I know when it comes to myself buying new gear, I do a lot of research and a lot of reading before making a purchase. There are just not enough hours in the day to be spending time on products that are not worth your time, let alone your money so I research and narrow down my list to one or two before I confidentially give it a go.

SECOND WORKSHOP IS IN THE WORKS!

I have a special request to host a one day workshop for a Thoroughbred organization here in Alberta sometime in September or October (it will be likely be on a weekend). It will be very similar to my "Digital Photography 101" workshop scheduled this September out in Hanceville, BC.

More details to come over the following months. I just wanted to get the word out there early that this is currently in the works!

I WILL BE AT THE SPRUCE MEADOWS 2018 'NATIONAL' AND 2018 'MASTERS'!

I have people wondering and asking if I will be at Spruce Meadow's big events this year.

I will be at this years 'National' and 'Masters' held by Spruce Meadows in June and September of this year. No I am not going by an invite, I am going as a "spectator" but it's obvious that I will have all my camera gear along with me. I will only be there for the weekends for both events.

I will be shooting from the ground level bleachers. I will not be allowed to sell any of the photos that I do take - which is fine because I just want to be there and I just want to add my photos to my portfolio to show my audience again what I can do on the big stage and in this specific case, for the jumping world! I ultimately want to be in the grand stage of them all, so I will do whatever it takes to eventually get me inside the rings.

Though in this case I will have really tight restrictions to work within - which is fine. Challenges only make you stronger, they make you push harder to find new ways to accomplish what you are ultimately wanting to achieve.

I will be stationery as I will not have permission to maneuver around the rings - again that is fine. I will work with what's given to me and still make it happen and put out great work. A sign of a truly skilled photographer is one who works with any kind of restrictions and still manages to flourish and rise to the occasion in any given situation. This is exactly what I plan on doing.