ExploreBC – Page 2 – Creativescans

Canada day citizenship ceremony…

I attended a citizenship ceremony for the first time on Canada Day. I was surprised how emotional it can be just watching (and photographing) the proceedings. For the people getting their citizenship it must be a really emotional day.

From a photography stand point it can be a challenge to photograph events inside a large indoor space (one of the halls at Canada Place in this case) with low light, different colors of light, crowds of people getting in your shots as well as other photographers and media people jockeying for position to get good images.

On the plus side most everyone is in a good mood. And hey there was cake! And when there is cake it’s usually going to be a good event.

I hope everyone had a Happy Canada Day!

Canada Day citizenship ceremony 2016

Canada Day citizenship ceremony 2016 cake!

Sony A77ii camera HDR test

The Sony A77ii has a HDR setting so tried that feature out just to see the results. I rarely shoot HDR but wanted to see what the new camera could do. Below are a few images testing the HDR feature of the camera. The images are straight from the camera unedited except for being resized. Most of the menus are in the same places as the A77 but some have been redesigned so I am still getting used to the menus on board the camera.

HDR test on the Sony A77ii

Look for a new perspective…

Photographically speaking, try shooting from a very low angle next time you are out and about with your camera. Show a subject you might photograph from normal or standing height from a new perspective. Try this on a subject you might never think of photographing. A few examples of what can make for an interesting photo if shot from a different perspective are flowers, walking paths, cars and tall buildings. There are a lot of things you can try this technique on so give it a try.

Below are a few examples of things photographed from a different perspective:

Middle of the road. Shotr when the road was closed. Do not attmpt on an open road.

Formula1 car from down low.

A marine bollard (used to tie up boats) from down low.

The Space Needle in Seattle from down below.

I watched one of my horses workout…

Sunday morning was the first day I watched one of my two race horses work out live and in person at the track.

First I had to check in with security at the “Horseman’s” entrance to get into the property. (The entrance for the general public is not open this early.) The stables were bustling with all kinds of activity as I made way through the stables to one of the viewing platforms track side used by owners trainers and other track personnel. Horses were being fed or groomed and some horses were being kitted out for training sessions. Two horses were behaving badly as was evident by one horse repeatedly kicking at a wooden fence while being led back to the stables and the other horse that was not listening to its rider and was galloping through the stables erratically causing me to give it a wide berth just to be safe.

Once alongside the track at the viewing platform I watched as several horses made their way onto the track. At first I was the only person at the viewing platform but soon there were than a half dozen people watching the horses “breeze” (work out but not at full speed or intensity). I met the trainer of our horses, a jockey agent and a few other owners.

It was interesting to see my horse work out and see the differences in how the different horses went through their work outs. Some ran faster than others some slower than others. Some horses ran in pairs some alone. I learned that horses going at a slow pace do not stay close along the rail because the faster horses are usually running close to the rail. And photographically it was nice to get some images of the horses and the track from a new perspective.

After the workout was over I walked over to New Brighten Park to look around and get some waterfront photos then it was back to the track at Hastings Racecourse to take in the afternoon racing. I will be writing about and sharing some photos of New Brighten Park soon.

Below are a few photos of one of my horses, Shooting Jacket, “Breezing” on the track.

“Shooting Jacket” working out.

So I bought a race horse…

DSC09770s — Another close finish at Hastings Racecourse.

Ok, I bought a 1/200th share in 2 race horses, but still.

At Hastings Racecourse you are able to buy into ownership of a horse (or horses) for one year in a club type setting. There are a set number of people in a club, in my case 200, and our club owns two horses for one year.

Each member pays a one-time set amount to be in the club. Food for the horse, veterinary care, training etc. are all included in the one-time fee. There are no more costs to incur during the year. Each member shares equally in any winnings the horse may produce and if the horse is sold each member shares in that as well.

There are a few other perks of owning a race horse through the club; free parking in the horse man’s lot, a free program on days your horse is racing, seating in the owners area of the grand stand, attending a training session to watch your horse train and inside access to the paddock area when your horse is in a race.

The club setup is a low cost, low risk way for people to be more involved in and enjoy horse racing and adds to the excitement. So stay tuned for more posts and photos about the world of horse racing, horse ownership and tips for photographing horse racing.

You can get more information from the Hastings Racecourse website: http://www.hastingsracecourse.com/

DSC09805s — Rounding the last turn before the stretch run…