Polo At Del Mar, California

[rpcrowe]

I visited the Polo Match at Del Mar, California. My photo club got free tickets and the Polo Club put out tables and chairs for us with umbrellas to shade us from the sun, The only problem was that the setup was mid field, not the best place from which to shoot a polo match. However, the shade from the umbrellas was enticing. After, I arrived there, I realized that I had purchased a folding chair, a couple of years ago, with a canopy for just this type of shooting but, had forgotten about it. I did shoot one chukkar from a corner near the goal. That was a better spot but, the sun was too intense...

Anyway, here are some of the images...

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.


I shot these using my Canon 7D, hand held, with a 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II kens. Exposure was manual at 1/2,000 second at f/5.6 with Auto ISO.

Lots of fun except that I had purchased a new sunscreen spray which wouldn't spray. As I was fighting with it, it sprayed right into my eyes which burned all day. Probably, the bright sun increased the burning sensation. The eyes feel better now but are a bit red

[lovelife65]

Very nice series! I like them all! Number five with the horse almost in a dance is very cool.

[Sergio M.]

I'd say you accomplished what you set out to do which was to capture the action. Great set, Richard.

Sergio

[Shadowman]

Nice series.

[LePetomane]

Richard, very nice photos. Polo is big in our area. The origins of the sport are quite interesting.

[rpcrowe]

1.

2.


I don't know of any other violent physical sport (I certainly don't consider tennis mixed doubles as a "violent" sport) in which females and males compete head to head. Sometimes there were two men and two women on each team.

[bnnrcn]

Very nice series Richard I'm glad that your eyes are getting better .

[rpcrowe]

My eyes were the problem in missing this shot by cutting off part of the player. But, it is a nice portrait of a powerful horse...


However, I played with the image using the NIK Color Efex Detail Extractor Filter - with this result...


If I were to do a slide show of the various polo shots. This would be my title page...

[LePetomane]

I don't know of any other violent physical sport (I certainly don't consider tennis mixed doubles as a "violent" sport) in which females and males compete head to head.

Mixed doubles can get rough. I played competitive tennis at a high level in high school and college and the mixed doubles matches could get pretty heated.

[rpcrowe]

I think that this may be a better crop of #2 above...

[zen]

The hospital foundation I worked for several years ago organized 5 annual charitable polo matches, played on the polo fields of a private farm owned by a prominent Western New York family. We had hundreds of volunteers, fine dining, champagne, white linen table cloths, etc., etc. We invited local teams and Canadian teams, at least two of which brought in professional players for the events. Each of the 5 events generated about $200k for the hospital we supported, and gained a good share of local press attention. Because I was the official host of the events, I could not shoot them personally. But from that experience, I learned that shooting polo matches is extremely challenging - because you always want action and the ball in the same frame!

You have a nice series, here, Richard. I especially like #2 for the action, but unfortunately, no ball! No. 4 is the best with the ball, especially with the player quartering toward you. Obviously, this is one where you moved to the goal end, and you picked the right spot!

I agree with your crop on the very last image; it makes for a really good image. All it lacks is the ball.

All in all, a very nice series. Good for you, and thanks for sharing.

Zen