Horsey outing Jan 6th

Borderfox

I have gotten permission from the yard where I have my horse to take 4 or 5 fellow photographers up and show them around and give them some advice/guidance/opportunity to take shots of horses in motion and static also.
I was thinking of doing it in the new year (maybe the first week in January 6th)

Programme would be a quick health and safety about being around horses then about 10-15 minutes taking static shots of two different horses and what works and what doesnt, then to put them out in a large arena with all the photographers in the middle and I will get them to gallop around singly/together (the will probably have a roll or two) then to bring them out to (hopefully a large field) and let them be in a more relaxed envoirnment where everybody will be able to take some landscapes with or without the horses. I will try to get somebody to do a few jumps also. As spaces are limited reply quickly to let me know if you can make it as it might be hard to find somebody to replace at short notice. I will be looking after the horses so somebody can use my gear We can convene to the nearby pub and compare shots and notes afterwards and if anybody has any specific questions hopefully I can answer them in full. It can be quite cold there too so layer up and if you have wellies then all the better otherwise hiking boots would be grand. The location of the yard is just off the N2 near the Coolquay pub about 5 or 6 miles from Finglas.

One other thing, due to the nature of being in the company of horses and to protect the yard a waiver will have to be signed before starting, nothing out of the ordinary just the same thing that people sign when they ride there. Just let me know if you are interested in coming, if the interest is good I will do another!!

Heres a shot of the two horses that will be used



heres a map of where the yard is located, the black cross marks the spot

Dink

Me me me me me me....Hand up in the air!!!

Paulw

Count me in (+1). Only around the corner from me anyway.

pete4130

I'm in if theres still space (+1). If I cant make it I'll let you know ASAP....will be a good test run for my D3 (if i have it by then!)

Borderfox

Thats three so far two more spaces left..

CraggyIslander

I'd put my hand up, but ever since been run over by a horse and cart on baggott street some years ago I'm wee bit scared of em

kensutz

I'd like to do something like that.

GristlyEnd

Count me in if there is a space left.

qwertz

I'd like to join that waiting list as well. I will bring some snacks (for humans and horses).

countryjimbo

Just saw this post now, I'm really keen to do this. Looks like there's 6 ahead of me though

Fingers crossed !

Covey

I'd be keen also. Put me on the standby list at this stage.

T.

Borderfox

I will close it off at this amount, shouldnt make much difference with a few extra and the Sunday is pretty quiet. There are quite a lot of nature and landscape opportunities around the yard also so should be plenty to keep us occupied along with the horses. Both of these horses are very good around people and apart from trying to have a look in your pockets for Polo they will be very cooperative Thanks for the interest its really nice to share the Horse photography with other people to see what way they will view it.

So the list is
Paulw
Dink
Pete4130 (hopefully with his D3!)
Fred C Dobbs (dont worry about getting run over)
Kensutz
DarrenG (It will be nice to see how the D300 and the D3 take shots)
qwertz (snacks are always welcome, the horses will mug you though! )
Countryjimbo
and last but most certainly not least Covey

Should be a bit of laugh and I will definitely learn something new with everybody who is on the list

Standby List
Mikeanywhere
Evilhomer

Masada

fair play to ya borderfox, should be a great opertunity for all.,
Ive looked at your horse pics on flickr, some of them are brilliant, dont see much horse photography huh.,

mikeanywhere

Can I go on the standby list please??

qwertz

Carrots and sugar-cubes it is then.

CraggyIslander

excellent, looking forward to this

Borderfox

Thanks

magicbastarder

can you imagine coming from muckerstown? people would assume you were taking the piss.

Borderfox

I hadnt even seen that on the map, class. Defintite candidate for tidy town..

Paulw

qwertz wrote: »

Carrots and sugar-cubes it is then.

Which is for the horse and which for the people??

qwertz

Don't worry, I will bring some chocolate and crisps for the human variety.

countryjimbo

Excellent! Really looking forward to this now

Dink

Me too!! I ordered my new Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 today(Thanks to a Christmas bonus!), I might have it for then!

Borderfox

If you dont Dink, you can use mine...:)

Dink

Thanking you Keith!

Ricky91t

I know this is abit off topic but what do you think of the sigma 70-200 in terms of image quaility and autofocus speeds

qwertz

It's rubbish, worst lens made ever. I will take it and dispose of it for you.

This might help:

http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/sigma_70200_28/index.htm

ricky91t wrote: »

I know this is abit off topic but what do you think of the sigma 70-200 in terms of image quaility and autofocus speeds

Borderfox

Excellent in both respects, only thing I wasnt happy with was the build quality. Other than that it was well used.

janmc

This sounds like a great idea - looking forward to seeing the photos

kjt

Nice idea and generous Keith.
I look forward to seeing some of the shots

janmc

Borderfox - had a thought. For the non-horsey people who will be there, it might be worth explaining a little about their body language, or at least their "expressions".

Borderfox

I well ahead of you janmc, I understand quite a few of their expressions and can give explanations to what they mean to each other and how you can use them yourself.

evilhomer

/me puts hand up for waiting list

Put me in couch!! oh and I will mind your mkIII too

pete4130

ricky91t wrote: »

I know this is abit off topic but what do you think of the sigma 70-200 in terms of image quaility and autofocus speeds

Sorry to go off topic here. I just got the Sigma 70-200 2.8 about 2 weeks ago. These are the first few proper shots I've taken with it. Really sharp. Would have lied to be able to afford the Nikon version with IS but I didn't have another €1000 spare.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pete4130/2111636704/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pete4130/2111635628/

RoryW

I'm late on this one but please add me to the long standby list

Borderfox

Will do Roryw

CraggyIslander

*bump* from page 5 *gasp*

This deffo still on for next weekend? If so I'll be booking rental car on mon/tue for the weekend. Any of my fellow lucky ones need a lift from rathmines / rathgar?

Borderfox

This is definitely on for Sunday January 6th 2008, time to meet at the yard is between 12 and 12:30 and I will give a short talk first on health and safety around horses. Looking forward to seeing everybody there and what type of shots you get.

pete4130

I've got 3 spare seats coming from Finglas direction or city centre if people need a lift out and back?

CraggyIslander

pete4130 wrote: »

I've got 3 spare seats coming from Finglas direction or city centre if people need a lift out and back?

Might not need to hire car so :-) provisionally bagsies shotgun

Borderfox

Dont forget to bring some wellies if you have them the yard itself is quite clean but the arenas can get wet..

Paulw

The weather forecast for the weekend isn't good at all -
Saturday and Sunday will be cold and windy, with a mixture of bright or sunny spells and showers, some of the showers heavy and of hail, with a risk of thunder, especially on Saturday. A few of the showers may be wintry on Sunday, mainly over high ground. There is a risk of some frost in sheltered places. - taken from met.ie

Borderfox

Thats a good day in the yard!! it doesnt really worry me regarding the weather, I will keep an eye on it closer to friday then let everbody make a call on it?

Paulw

LOL. Yeah, hardy farming folk.

Well, if all else fails, I believe there is a hunt that day too, just down the road from you.

But, hail, storms and thunder tend to put me off going out. I do have the clothing for it, at least.

amie.g

Looking forward to Sunday - hope the weather behaves, if not I have my wellies and warm clothes and some polo mints for the horses!!

kensutz

Should be interesting on Sunday and I have a night shift to look forward to after it.

Borderfox

I can organise a 12ft umbrella in the top sand arena before the horses come up so everybody stays dry along with their gear. nasty night shift Ken.

kensutz

Nasty is the right word although I'm so used to going in to work after flying home from games so it's just back to normality for me

CraggyIslander

just looked at weather forecast:

Sunday: Mostly bright with sunny spells but also showers later. Moderate south-westerly winds.

Doesnt look to bad at all

Just bought some new hikingboots, together with the wetgear I use for cycling I should be all set for a day in the mud

Picking up rental car this evening Print of the map in first post and hope I dont get lost :eek:

Borderfox, I'll PM you my contact details

Looking forward to finally meeting a few boardsies at last

Paulw

That reminds me ... while the map is fairly good ... have you got some directions? Roads, and then turns etc? I think I found it on Google, but want to be sure.

Covey

Forgot to say, I can fit 2 people from City Centre/North Side.

Where are exactly are we to meet?

T.