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Buzkashi - Act 4


Buzkashi - Act 4
Photo Information
Copyright: Vincent Thomas (vthomas) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 88 W: 10 N: 163] (676)
Genre: People
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-03-02
Categories: Daily Life
Camera: Pentax istDL, Pentax FA 100-300mm
Exposure: f/9.0, 1/400 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-03-13 7:52
Viewed: 1574
Points: 34
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
THE GAME:
“The buzkachi is a traditional game of Afghanistan and of the Central Asian steppes. The body of a beheaded ram is stuffed with wet sand to make it heavier. A white circle ( hallal ) is drawn with lime on the ground. At an equal distance on the right and on the left sides of the hallal two masts are erected. At a signal given by the judge(s) the participants rush to attempt to grab the carcass and throw it in the white circle after ridding around one of the masts. Once a rider has secured the carcass he may be immediately challenged by other competitors who will wrestle with him all along or be left alone while he goes to turn around the mast and then be assaulted on his way back to the hallal . Buzkachis can be pleasant affairs among members of the same clan or brutal encounters between highly-skilled horsemen of different groups, particularly when the monetary and prize incentives are high. (extracts from “Vents d’Est” – Pierre Claquin)”

THE PHOTO:
Basically these are the moments I prefer in the game. When the buz has been dropped an lies on the ground,the riders (buzkash) challenge eachother to get a spot close to the buz and dive to grab it. There are no rules for that and when the price is as high as 1200 US$ the game can become quiet brutal. Horses charging to clear the fray is quiet impressive. Uzbek horses are known to be the best breed for buzkashi. Powerful and a bit nut (they would charge a wall if you push them to) is what you need and can expect from the best horses. If you are interested, get 30000 to 50000 US$ ready.
One of the best buzkashi of the year is supposed to be for the new (afghan) year (21st of march) in Mazaar-e-Sharif (sorry for letting you know at the last moment if you planned to come ;-)). I'll be there, hoping the weather will be ok!
xramm, broglia, Mondaychild, jaywalker, snowfalken, Photo65Net, everlasting has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • xramm Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 161 W: 4 N: 37] (681)
  • [2007-03-13 7:56]

Hi Wincent
This really good shot, I think it is like a action movie once I saw it.Beautiful black horse carries the meaning of scene.
Very good POV
Hakki

  • Great 
  • jasmis Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2903 W: 618 N: 3152] (38067)
  • [2007-03-13 7:57]

Amazing photo, like an old painting. Superb perspective. Long lenses, I presume...
Regards.

Hi Vincent, you have captured the perfect moment with a clear view of the main subject. Sharp detail and nice use of DOF. Excellent notes too. Regards, Roberto

This is a brilliant action shot Vincent, very dramatic and dynamic. The horse's bulging eye really grabs the attention and it's certainly the black horse that is the centrepiece of the action here, framed beautifully by the chaos all around.
I like the choice of headgear worn by it's rider; Soviet tank helmet, no doubt a souvenir of that other Afghan war.
Excellent work.

Cheers,
Ben

Hi Vincent,
Bravo, great action shot.wonderful colors and sharpness.nice composition with black horse.
well done,congratulation.
Greetings
bulent

Hi Vincent, A brilliant action photo with superb timing to capture the the horse like this, your focus is excellent, wonderful composition & plenty of power, overall a fantastic shot, kind regards Wilson.

This is a superb shot, it is like a film set! Words are not sufficient to describe how amazing this is. Very well done. Jeab

Hi Vincent real live shoot we can feel the horse breath on our screen,great shrpness a good focus real well done.

An amazing photo of this seemingly amazing game. Your notes on the game are really insightful, and you have definetly captured the heart and soul of the moment, I must say! It's a remarkable photo of a wild moment! Very well done. The horse and rider off to the left of the photo really steal the scene.

Hello Vincent,

Another picture from this exotic game! The photo is very crowded but dominated by the pranced horse. I am impressed by the foam on the horse's mouth. It seems it is a very tough game though! Loads of motion is going on! Must be fun to watch! Great job! Thank you!

With Friendly Regards,
Eddie

Amazing shot! Everything is the movement here.. Impressive compo..
With regards, Agnieszka

Bonsoir Vincent,
A nice picture, with amazing tones and perfect action catch.
Your note is useful, overall a nice job,
Regards,
JB.

Another great follow-up to your last post. I love all the details in the shot, the faces, the central postion of the black horse, the dust. So dramatic and dynamic.

Hello Vincent,
There is a lot of action going on in this photo. You managed to capture the expressions very well on some of the faces with the horse bulging.
A very good and sharp photo even with all the dust, well done.
Harko

Hi Vincent!
absolutely a great capture!
full of energy, dynamisme, life!
a great momoent captured perfectly!
congrats!
ciao!
Valeria

La dynamique action avec le cavalier dans la casquette du char d'assaut.
Superbe image très bien composée !
Amicalement et à bientôt,

Wladyslaw

The game is not just about man chasing the goat. There are horses as well. A perfect !!!!!! capture of one of the horses. I love this verrrry much !!!!

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