Equine Photo Contest Results

14th May 2009

The results are out from this year’s Equine Ideal Spring 2009 Photo Contest –
I had entered four images into the Professional Divisions.

I am over the moon with my results:

In the Black & White category I was placed 2nd with Lucy & Katie (bottom left)
In the Horses & Humans category I was placed 6th with Maddy & Vegas (top right)
In the Head Study category I was not placed but received an Honourable Mention with Double Trigger (top left)

I received my ribbons (rosettes) in the post yesterday and the judge’s comments were really constructive.

I have added them below too.

Maddy and Vegas from the Professional - Horses and Humans category. Excellent use of light, colors, great exposure, and beautifully posed. The background works very well, too, not to mention the expressions on both their faces. The Pony and His Girl. Well done!

Double Trigger from the Professional - Head Study category. What a great shot, enhanced by a great treatment and absorbing lines. Excellent balance of dark and light, in the background and in the horse himself. Everything ties together quite neatly. This is a marvellous image. I love it. Next time you're fiddling with this picture, try to get some detail in the blaze so we can see where it begins and ends.

Lucy and Katie from the Professional - Black & White category. From the patterns in the shingles on the roof, to the pattern of the horses' heads, to the clapboarding of the walls, this picture is just a delight to behold. The girl on the left is washed out, though, and if you want a picture to work well in B&W, these kinds of details have to be taken care of. Other than that, it's an excellent picture. Anyone could stare at it for hours.

Bye for now_F

Tina & Kate

24th May 2009

Today I got the chance to photograph the last of my voucher winners from Christmas 08. The lucky lady was Tina and her adorable mare Kate.

We met at Stockland Lovell Manor and used the fantastic setting and weather to our advantage.
Both models were naturals making the shoot very quick and easy to manage. Kate loved the idea of being allowed to eat all the yummy dairy grass so was more than happy to pose as needed as long as she could grab a mouthful between shots!

To see all the images from today go to my website http://www.fionacrawford.co.uk/ navigate to my ‘Client Area’ and select ‘Portraiture’.

Bye for now_F

Stockland Lovell Manor Adult Camp

23rd May 2009

Another glorious day today and back to Stockland Lovell Manor to cover their own Adult camp. A pony club camp for adults – it’s a good idea and I think they can get up to a lot more mischief than the kids do!!
It was a fun packed day whizzing around the course, getting shots of everyone.
A high proportion of the riders were concentrating on their flat work this time so I could practice my dressage shots. We had lots of fun on the XC course too as it was still flagged from the previous weekend’s competition so lots of people were having a go against the clock! As always making for some great pictures.

Bye for now_F

Devon County Show

Friday 22nd May 2009

I am in shock – Devon County Show – in the sunshine – it can not be true! Well it was. I haven’t worked there in just shirt sleeves for at least 2, if not 3 years!
I was pimping out my talents again – no morals I know! I worked for Jim, Jeanette and their fantastic team again, with all the trimmings – tea, birthday cake and lots of chocolate. And, I got to pick the ring I wanted to cover – Highland ponies of cause – not that I am at all bias!

Bye for now_F

Gower Riding Club Camp @ Stockland Lovell Manor

Tuesday 19th May 2009

The rain fell on several occasions and when it did it was full on. I spent a lot of time running for cover! But in true Stockland Lovell style the sun shone with the same vigour as the rain falling.
I have covered The Gower Riding Club camp for the past 5 years and they don’t tire of me – which is great.They say it is because I always produce fresh angles and different shots each year. Thank you – it’s always great to hear such nice feedback.

Bye for now_F

Newton Abbot Races

Monday 18th May 2009

Again some fantastic racing today at Newton Abbot – the sun was shining and the atmosphere was a reflection of that. We had two flat races to finish the day so I had the opportunity to play with some low angles and some cropped in close up work.

Check out all the images – go to my website www.fionacrawford.co.uk and select the ‘Client Area’ then select ‘Newton Abbot – 2009’.

No racing for two weeks now, I will get withdrawal symptoms!!

Bye for now_F

Stockland Lovell Horse Trials

15th, 16th & 17th May 2009

I have just dried out from a very wet and blustery 3 days at Stockland Lovell Manor covering their first BE of the season. The course looked amazing – so many photographic opportunities for me. The fences are always so nicely dressed and have dramatic backdrops. Shame the weather did not play fair – so much pre work goes into these events and I felt so sorry for the organisers, volunteers and competitors alike as the heavy showers and gale force winds kept battering away at all who were present!
We all kept going with true British spirit and I was surprising pleased with the majority of the images. When the sun shone the images just jump out of the page but when the heavens opened you can't but help loose the punch factor of a picture!

Bye for now_F

Newton Abbot Races

12th May 2009

I was back at Newton Abbot again today – the season is in full swing now with meetings most weeks through the summer. The weather didn’t play fair tonight – it was overcast and a constant drizzle challenged my skills. But life would be dull if it all went my way wouldn’t it? We had a good number of runners in most of the races so the images were full of colour and movement. A good outcome considering I was up to ISO 3000 for the last race at 8.30pm…sorry boring tech speak!!

Bye for now_F

South Devon Riding Club Camp

10th May 2009

After the excitement of Badminton it was lovely to head back to Stockland Lovell to cover South Devon Riding Club Camp. The instructors were fabulous making the most of the good weather and the ever changing cross country course! The atmosphere was relaxed and fun and I think that reflects in the images.

Bye for now_F

Badminton Horse Trials

8th and 9th May 2009

The past two days are one of the many highlights of my calendar year. Badminton Horse Trials – such a great atmosphere from the competitors and the spectators alike. The dressage arena was almost crackling with the tension – no surprising that some horses couldn’t cope!
The cross country seemed to be a perfect blend of questions and bowling on. Thank you Kit for employing me again this year. Never a dull moment working for the Houghton camp!

Bye for now_F

Newton Abbot Races

7th May 2009

We had some fantastic racing today at Newton Abbot – the sun may have not been shining and the crowds had stayed away but they missed lots of close finishes and tight racing. The finishes and the fields were ideal for me today for the photographs, as they were made so much more atmospheric with lots of horses battling for first place.

Bye for now_F

Newquay Riding Club Camp

6th May 2009

I spent today at Stockland Lovell covering Newquay Riding Club Camp. It was there first time at Stockland Lovell so they were all blown away by the facilities. It was a small commission with only 16 riders but it makes for lots of fun as I have more time with everyone. We even got some sheep joining in with the afternoon XC session!!

Bye for now_F

Witheridge Riding Club Camp

28th April 2009

Today was spent with some familiar faces; I have been photographing the Witheridge Riding Club adult camp at Stockland Lovell. Every year they invite me back to photograph their camp. So I must be doing something right! It’s so good to see the progress people make from year to year and this year was no exception. Everyone was jumping out of their skins! Not with fright I need to add.
Go to http://www.fionacrawford.co.uk/ - click on 'Client Area', click on 'Action' and select 'WRC' to see the full works.

Bye for now_F

British Young Rider Dressage Series - SW

25th & 26th April 2009

I have just got returned from two days photographing at the Hand Equestrian Centre just outside Bristol. I was covering the BYRDS South West Dressage Festival for the competitors and the press.
They had a gala on the Saturday night which included Freestyle/Anything Goes to music. It was very entertaining and some of the combinations had put in a huge effort into their routine as well as their costumes. To see all the images from the weekend go to www.fionacrawford.co.uk - navigate to the 'Client Area', select 'Action' and navigate to the 'BYRDS' folder.

Bye for now_F

Newton Abbot Races

24th April 2009

Today saw the first evening meeting of the season at Newton Abbot Racecourse. It was overcast so the horses in the last race could have done with miners’ lamps!! It does mean I can play around with long exposures and the evening light can give quite vivid results. To view the images go to my website www.fionacrawford.co.uk - navigate to the 'client area', click on 'Newton Abbot' and select the meeting date. In the meantime I have put a select few images above for you.

Bye for now_F

Bourne Valley Riding Club Camp

21st & 22nd April 2009

I have just spent two sunny days photographing the Bourne Valley Riding Club Camp at Stockland Lovell. There were 27 riders so I whizzed around to get images of everyone. They all seemed really pleased with the results. All the horses are just coming into their full summer coats so they are starting to really shine.
Now is a perfect time to book your horse in for a portrait before the summer is gone!

Bye for now_F

Powderham Horse Trials

19th April 2009

Well I don’t like to sit at home at a weekend and enjoy the garden!! The past two days I have pimped out my services as a photographer to an event photography company called JPP and worked at the famous Powderham Horse Trials at Powderham Castle just outside Exeter. It is always fun working for Jim, Jeanette and their dedicated team. They look after me so well – lots of chocolate!!
I was lucky enough to be on the water complex for most of the weekend. I have put together some of the best of the best for you to see. Including the likes of Zara Phillips, Matt Ryan, Andrew Nicholson just to name drop a few.

Bye for now_F

Free photographic help available for horse welfare charities

16th April 2009

Horse and Hound – yes THE 'Horse and Hound’ have put my search for equine welfare charities on their website. Nick West phoned me yesterday and after a brief chat he said he would be more than happy to put something on their website for me. Thank you Nick. To read the full article go to http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/397/280756.html
If you want to know more about this great offer please get in touch.

Bye for now_F

The surprise has been sprung…

8th April 2009

To one very, very happy lady… she was delighted and did not have a clue what we had been up too.
I can now reveal some of the shots I captured on the shoot last week of Ollie.
I thought everyone would like to see the lucky horse. I am really pleased with the images.
Sorry if you thought the surprise shoot was for you – you might need to drop some bigger hints!!

Bye for now_F

Suprise Equestrain Portrait Shoot

31st March 2009

Earlier this week I was commissioned by a dotting husband to do an equestrian portrait shoot as a surprise for his wife for her birthday? With many a text message the said husband took his unsuspecting wife out for the morning. Leaving me with one horse and one of her friends to get some gorgeous images. The next stage will be the real surprise – the viewing session where the perfect image can be chosen for framing. This will be the first our unsuspecting wife should know anything about it….hopefully! Who knows it could be you…

Bye for now_F