Preparing for the Race, Menorca, a photo from Menorca, Balearics

Photographer's Note

Shot at the same location as this picture and this one at the horse trotting races in Mahon, Menorca, here we see the stables and a keen competitor fetching his horse to be harnessed to the lightweight chariot which they use in this sport.

These "trotting races" have been held in both Mahon and Ciutadella in Menorca for over 200 years and competitors must race as fast as they possibly can with their horses trotting. Breaking into a gallop results in immediate disqualification from a race.

This picture was taken during a very instructive and enjoyable week's photographic holiday in Menorca with Philip Dunn - highly recommended - we learned a lot from Philip and met some other wonderful people there too!

Shot in RAW and converted and edited in PSE6.

Kofman, holmertz, delpeoples, RhodieIke, Sonata11, annjackman, macjake has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

leo61 (0) 2011-11-18 3:56

Hi John!
A very dynamic shot.You managed the backlight well and I like the composition with the diagonals of the building in the background.
Regards,Leo

digbymerry (3998) 2011-11-18 3:58

Hello John

An excellent capture. I like the action, sharpness lighting and the expressions of both man and horse

Best wishes

Digby

emka (59010) 2011-11-18 5:57

Hi John,

Nice shot, very dynamical. You learned a lot during this photographic holidays, (or you were good photographer before :)). Superb composition.

Yesterday I spent all the day in horse cart, visiting temples of Bagan. But my horse was very small and I felt so sorry for her, carrying two old fat ladies (pus rather small horseman) .

WArm rgards

MAlgo

holmertz (27216) 2011-11-18 7:10

Hello John,
Today seems to be a bad day for TE, not many interesting pictures, but this one appeals to me. A beautiful horse, clear action, well composed, good light. A picture to enjoy.
Thanks for sharing.
Best wishes,
Gert

rbassin (11381) 2011-11-18 8:26

Hello John,
Une superbe scène, les deux ont fière allure.
C'est bien fait, bel éclairage
Bonne soirée
Roland

agjika (4103) 2011-11-18 15:36

Hi John,
I love the horse, the maine, the position of his legs and the dust. The image is nice and sharp however I would have prefered man and the horse beind the subject not in the view at all, maybe by reduing the dof or just cloning them out.

Wonderful image of the man and his animal.

Regards

Aleks

delpeoples (45717) 2011-11-18 15:57

Hi John

Again the light here is really sweet and what's unusual about the way you composed the shot is that the guy looks like he's outrunning a thoroughbred! Beautiful horse by the way, they make such wonderful subjects don't they? Seeing them in full stride is a sight for sore eyes. I have only one nitpick - and it truly is a nitpick - I must be hormonal today: and that is to have seen the horse and man's full shadows instead of having the frame cropped at the shoulders. But again, when you're trying to capture a decisive moment, people's shadows are the last thing you look for. I made the same mistake in my photo of the old fisherman. Anyways, I still love the photo and give you a full due punti, even more if it were possible.

Un abbraccione (a big hug)
Lisa

chrislo (2179) 2011-11-19 13:09

Hello John,
What I like about this pic is the offbeat humour of the situation : a man training his horse at a run or bringing him along for a jog. In both cases, a great way to get the exercise both need. The shutter speed wasn't too excessive and shows well the movement of the runner and his steed. Well done.
Kind regards,
Christian

RhodieIke (9207) 2011-11-20 10:06

Hi John, Your a dark horse,( excuse the pun) never had you down for the gee gees, fantastic photo of this horsey scene at the races, great action, pin-sharp, super colours and presentation, Tfs, Cheers Iain.

Sonata11 (28758) 2011-11-20 16:49

Hello John,
what a fantastic dynamic shot. Perfect timing to catch this an amazing scene. Great colors, perfect sharpness, clarity. Wonderful composition and framework. An excellent job. Awesome !!!!
All the best,
Barbara

annjackman (13463) 2011-11-21 22:30

Hi John,
I am not sure which one of these two is preparing for the race! The dust kicked up and the flowing mane give a very good feeling of movement. Very nice sharpness where it matters but some nice blurred bits in the feet that again gives some dynamism. Lovely colours and lighting. Super image!
Best wishes, Ann

macjake (39998) 2011-11-22 9:14

Hi John
i have to say, the man is the star of the shot here!
I love the mans determination, he looks very serious and intends to make his destination.
the lighting on the mans's face and the horse is an excellent addition, thats the second star of the shot.
this one makes my laugh a bit! :)
nice work
cheers
craig

Longroute (19390) 2011-11-23 8:48

Hey! This you can really call a capture!
You were very quick in shuttering!
Incredible clarity and sharpness and an absolutely lovely image!
I love both the horse (to me the main and best subject) and the man. And again I'm amazed by the quality of the light...
Compliments,
Donato

Photo Information

Copyright: John Cannon (tyro) (13585)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2011-05-14
Categories: Event, Decisive Moment
Camera: Canon EOS 20D, Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II LD SP AF, HOYA 67mm HMC SUPER UV(0)
Exposure: f/8, 1/125 seconds
More Photo Info: view
Map: view
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2011-11-18 3:10