On The Road
June, 2005
Hi and welcome to this edition of On The Road. Many people ask
me "what is your favorite sport to photograph?" Horse
racing...horse racing is my favorite sport to photograph. Few
sports begin before the sun rises, have action and beauty along
with tradition and a landmark venue........the Kentucky Derby
at Churchill downs has all this and more. The week of preparations
and racing that precedes the Derby provide photographers with
wonderful images and a taste of the horse racing experience. Here
are a few of the images I captured during the days leading up
to and including the "Run for the Roses," the 2005 Kentucky
Derby.
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Image #1 Activities begin before the
sun comes up on the race course. Most photographers arrive
around 5:30 am to photograph the exercise riders taking
the Derby contenders out for morning training. This is one
of my favorite times of the day as it is a very quiet working
environment. The photographer must keep very still so as
not to alarm the horses. This early morning training time
always produces some beautiful images. Nikon D2X, ISO100,
1/800 at f9, Nikon 17-55mm G Lens, WB 10,000K, Lexar 4G
Flash Card. I will often use a high Kelvin of 10,000K to
increase the warmth of an image at sunrise.
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Image #2 Jockeys are all business even after
they dismount their race horse and head to the scales. I used
the Nikon 200-400mm G VR Zoom Lens for this image. I find
myself using this lens at every outdoor event I cover. It
is light, versatile,and VERY sharp. Nikon D2X, ISO125, 1/000
at f 5.6, Nikon 200-400mm G VR Zoom Lens, Hand Held, Lexar
4G Flash Card. I like the glance towards the money board and
mud splattered goggles on this jockey. |
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Image #3 The barn area is another
early morning location for great images. This Stakes Race
contender had just finished his bath and was eager to pose
for me while the early morning sun began to warm his face.
Nikon D2X, ISO100, 1/400 at f5, Nikon 200-400mm G VR Zoom
Lens, WB 10,000K, Bogen Carbon Fiber Monopod, Lexar 4G Flash
Card. I do not think it wise to get too close to the horses.
The click of the camera can sometimes send them jumping if
you are invading their space. The 200-400mm G VR Zoom Lens
is perfect for this kind of work. |
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Image #4 Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby are loaded
with tradition. Ladies in elegant hats are a lot of fun to
photograph. This young lady arrived in the Paddock area early
to catch a glimpse of horse racing's elite preparing to race.
Nikon D2X, ISO100, 1/1000 at f4.5, Nikon 17-55mm G Lens, WB
5000, Lexar 4G Flash Card. I chose 4600K (a slightly cooler
than daylight setting) as my White Balance to add a little
extra blue for the sky and white building. The color engine
on the Nikon D2X is fantastic and is capable of making slight
color temperature changes with great accuracy. |
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Image #5 This young lady is located
in some open shade in the Paddock area. The stall behind
her acted as a perfect black background. The fill light
is noon sunshine reflecting off the white buildings that
surround the Paddock area. This combination of background,
open shade and fill light gave a lovely glow to this mystery
lady. Nikon D2X, ISO200, 1/500 at f5, Nikon 200-400mm G
VR Zoom Lens, Bogen Carbon Fiber Monopod, Lexar 4G Flash
Card.
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Image #6 Jerry Bailey passes on the outside on route
to a win during an early race on Oaks Day, the day before
the Kentucky Derby. The position I am shooting from is one
of my favorites. I am sitting on the dirt of the race course
under the outside rail about 40 yards up the home stretch
out of turn #4. I can shoot the entire pack of horses coming
out of turn 4 and continue to follow the leaders as they race
past me. Nikon D2X, ISO400, 1/1000 at f5.6, Nikon 200-400mm
G VR Zoom Lens, WB 6700K, Lexar 4G Flash Card, Hand Held.
I believe the VR feature of the 200-400mm G VR Zoom Lens is
helpful even when panning using a relatively high shutter
speed of 1/500. It is much easier to hand hold and follow
the horses as they race by and the VR helps steady the image
as I swing around while panning. |
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Image #7 I really like this image. Great
light, great background, great color and great action. This
race is on the Turf Course at Churchill Downs. I am between
turn #1 and turn #2 just off the course laying on my stomach
in an effort to frame the horses in the dark shadow of the
grandstands. The Turf Course is banked to the inside of
the turns, therefore, the entire pack of horses has this
lean into the inside and create a very powerful look. Nikon
D2X, ISO250, 1/1250 at f6.3, Nikon 200-400mm G VR Zoom Lens
with TC14E 1.4X Teleconverter, WB 7100K , Lexar 4G Flash
Card, Hand Held.
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Image #8 No horse racing photographic coverage is complete
without a remote camera shot from under the inside rail. This
would be an excellent time to read the June issue of Workshop
at the Ranch. It deals with remote camera use in detail with
both equipment and positioning. This location is directly
across the race course from the grandstands with the Spires
of Churchill Downs. Nikon D2X, ISO400, Shutter Priority 1/3200
at f7.1 EV-0.7, Nikon 10.5mm Fisheye Lens, Manually Pre Focused
at 15 feet, WB 5600K, OverXposed Ground Plate, Slik Pro Ball
Head, N90M3-P Nikon Pre-Trigger cord connecting the D2X to
the Pocket Wizard Multi Max Transceiver, Lexar 4G Flash Card.
I am located about 90 feet away by the inside rail of the
Turf Course well away from the horses on the dirt race course.
The Pocket Wizard is wireless and allows me to trigger the
remote camera from a distance. The camera itself is located
on the dirt under the inside rail of the dirt course and is
6 inches back from the overhang of the rail. I had the option
of correcting the fisheye distortion in Nikon Capture but
rather enjoy the wrap around view of horses coming and going. |
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Image #9 The Kentucky Derby is a spectacular
event and one of my favorites to cover each year. My editors
gave me a new location that I was very excited about. I
was positioned on the roof top of the old grand stand. I
would be able to capture images of the start and the final
turn as the horses headed up the final stretch. This usually
would lend itself to a great image of the winner, but that
was not to be. Giacomo was behind everyone as they came
out of turn #4 and headed for home. This image is more documentary
than high drama in that it shows Giacomo way back in the
pack (Green silks ...at the top of the frame) with the entire
field to over come if he wants to win. Giacomo took the
lead at the wire, far away from my photo position. Many
photographers would be greatly disappointed but I was glad
to be a part of the magazine coverage. The magazine has
11 photographers covering the race including one in a helicopter
over Churchill Downs. It takes a team effort to provide
complete coverage to the readership with a race like this.
And although I did not have a sensational image of the winner,
I was published and thus contributed to the magazine. Nikon
D2X, ISO320, 1/1000 at f5, Nikon 600mm f4 Lens, WB 6700K,
Bogen Carbon Fiber Tripod, Whimberly Head, Lexar 4G Flash
Card.
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Well, I hope you have enjoyed this
month's On The Road at Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby.
For additional images involving remote camera use check out this
months Workshop at the Ranch..............Until we meet next time
On The Road. Adios, Dave
September,
2008 (click here)
Olympians, Weather and Workshops
August,
2008 (click here)
Camp Life
July,
2008 (click here)
Lightpainting the Southwest
June,
2008
The Kentucky Derby
May,
2008 (click here)
A Southwest Tour
April,
2008 (click here)
The Endless Winter
March,
2008 (click here)
PMA Show in Las Vegas!
February,
2008 (click here)
At the Ballet
January,
2008 (click here)
One Week of Work
December,
2007 (click here)
A Look Back at 2007
November,
2007 (click here)
Traveling
with the New Nikon D3
October,
2007 (click here)
High Country Journey
September,
2007 (click here)
Walking
On The Road
August,
2007 (click here)
Speedway
Thunder from PA
July, 2007
(click here)
"Arlington National
Cemetery"
June, 2007
(click here)
"Kentucky Derby Day"
May, 2007
(click here)
"Mexico Trek"
April,
2007 (click here)
"Egypt Trek"
March,
2007 (click here)
Transit Mix
"Images From the Air"
February,
2007 (click here)
Ice Climbing in Ouray
January,
2007 (click here)
2007 Year in Review
December,
2006 (click here)
People of Willoq, Peru
November,
2006 (click here)
Lexington, Kentucky TREK
October,
2006 (click here)
Training for the Mr USA Title
September,
2006 (click here)
"The International Golf Tournament"
August,
2006 (click here)
"Tour of Champions Documentary"
July,
2006 (click here)
"Northern California, the FBI and Clint
Eastwood ..."
June,
2006 (click here)
"The 2006 Kentucky Derby"
May,
2006 (click here)
"Off the Road Picture Sales"
April,
2006 (click here)
Ladies Olympic Figure Skating
March,
2006 (click here)
Torino Italy and the 2006 Winter Olympic Games
February,
2006 (click here)
"Hey Dave, are you going to the Winter Olympics in Torino
and What Equipment Do You Take?"
January,
2006 (click here)
The Holiday Tea with Tchaikovsky
presented by Colorado's Classical Youth Ballet
December,
2005 (click here)
Landscapes at Pebble Beach:
a look back at 2005
November,
2005 (click here)
Lightpainting Landscapes
NFL Football
October,
2005 (click here)
3 Day Photography Workshop
Gardner-Webb University, Boiling Springs, North Carolina
September,
2005 (click here)
Michelle Kwan
August,
2005 (click here)
International Gymnastics Camp
July,
2005 (click here)
the Men's US Open Golf Championships
June,
2005 (click here)
The Kentucky Derby
May,
2005 (click here)
Nevada Photojournalism Day
April,
2005 (click here)
John Bolin's "The Thorn"
March,
2005 (click here)
Indoor Track and Field
UC Irvine's Paul Spittle and
the Sports Shooter Academy
with Nikon's new DX2
February,
2005 (click here)
Broncos Football:
Denver vs Indianapolis
the US Figure Skating Nationals
Portland, Oregon
College Basketball:
Colorado State vs Air Force
January,
2005 (click here)
Broncos Football:
Broncos VS. Dolphins
Assignment work:
Wrestling
December,
2004 (click here)
A look back at 2004
November,
2004 (click here)
Rich Clarkson's Photography at the Summit Workshop &
Moose Peterson's Digital Landscape Workshop Series
October,
2004 (click here)
Whitewater Kayaking
Gymnastics and more
September,
2004 (click here)
The 2004 Summer Olympic Games
Athens, Greece
August,
2004 (click here)
A look back at some wonderful Olympic moments
July,
2004 (click here)
USAFA Graduation flyover
US Olympic Training Center - Swimming and Gymnastics
June,
2004 (click here)
Last Month the Masters, this month The Kentucky Derby......I
love my job
May,
2004 (click here)
Masters at Augusta National
April,
2004 (click here)
The American Cup Gymnastics
NIKON COLLEGE WORKSHOP
March,
2004 (click here)
Indoor Track and Field
Women's Freestyle Wresting
Rhythmic Gymnastics Nationals
The Glass Flower Ceiling at the Belagio Hotel in Las Vegas
February,
2004 (click here)
College Basketball
Women's Waterpolo
Olympic swimmers on their way to Athens
January,
2004 (click here)
NFL Football
The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Finals
A look back at The Greenbay Professionals
December,
2003
Monday Night Football the Sports Shooter Workshop and Luau in
LA
November,
2003
Photography at the Summit workshop
October,
2003
Portraits to workshops to stock image sales
September,
2003
Lightpainting in Banf
The World Gymnastics Championships
August,
2003
International Gymnastics Camp
July,
2003
Thunderbirds
Gymnastics
The Sports Photography Workshop with Rich Clarkson
Velodrome Cycling, More
June, 2003
The 129th running of the Kentucky Derby
White water kayakers
The Champions on Ice tour
May,
2003 (click here)
PBR Rodeo
Chris Shivers and Little Yellow Jacket ride for $1 Million
April,
2003 (click here)
Nikon's featured speaker at PMA in Las Vegas
American Cup Gymnastics
USAFA Women's Basketball
USAFA Swimming
USAFA Boxing
NCAA Fencing Championships
March,
2003 (click here)
USOC's Titan Games
February,
2003 (click here)
Air Force Basketball
Pro Football Pre-Superball Stock Sales
Swimmers train at the Swim Flume at the USOC
Much more!
January,
2003 (click here)
Diving at the Air Force Academy
Denver Broncos VS. The Arizona Cardinals
Olympic Hopefuls Lenny Krayzelberg and Tom Molchow practice
at the USOC
