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- Frreezzzing!
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- Discussing tactics
A few portraits taken in the parade ring. Taking candids in such an environment is not so easy because of the sheer confusion of people and horses going this way and that.
In my limited experience, I have found professional jockeys are usually reluctant to have their photographs taken – they almost invariably look the other way or turn their heads altogether. One of the best places to stand is the exit from the parade ring as the riders ‘go to post’. No longer a bastion of male domination, at least one race had a lady jockey riding.
I think most of these photographers were professional of some sort – as they had access to the course where we mere mortals are not allowed to tread during racing. Despite our lack of access, I would recommend a visit to the races as a photography trip – but use common sense on when and where to photograph – have a care round the bookies and definitely NO FLASH – unless you want be escorted from the course in short shrift.
——–Stephen———
Stephen G Hipperson 
I’ve never been to a race track. Thanks for sharing the ambiance of elegance in these shots! I love the depth of field shift in the two track-side shots…kind of an illustration of changes in focus and attention which our eyes perform in nanoseconds all the time.
🙂 – indeed.
I was exploring the necessity of having elements in focus – today we seem to leave less to the imagination?
The banner shot with just the blurry field of racers is enough, I think…very evocative and dream-like. Poetry, economy of expression, impressionistic…that kind of thing. I think it’s very artistic!
If you like that sort of thing and you haven’t seen this one …… https://stephenhip.wordpress.com/2012/06/15/come-on/
I did! I liked it and commented…it actually reminds me of a shot in the book The Joy of Photography…a book I got as a teenager.
I went to Redcar last year and did some photos there and had a great banter with the bookies who did not mind me taking photos but I did ask them first ! I prefer jump racing rather than flat racing. Love people watching at the races especially when people have had a few too many !
It’s less the bookies more the punters I’d be sensitive about.
Racing provides a captive situation full of colour, action, incident and of course people.
Great series, Stephen. I’ve photographed at Carlisle races and thoroughly enjoyed it.
🙂 – I’ve only been to two courses, York and Wetherby, but I have few within reasonable driving distance of where I live, maybe I’ll pick them off one at a time.
Never been to one either… and something so completely different from what you usually do… Nice work! 🙂
Thank you.
I recommend a visit. Full of colour and potential for exploration with photography