Cripes. I've been trying to post these for 45 minutes now. I keep losing the post before I post it. So I don't know if they'll eventually end up here or what, but I'm tired of re-typing the explanation.

Here are 2 shots from a recent Horse Trial. I posted a few from this event last year, and I think I've improved my technique:

http://gallery.photographyreview.com/data/photography//502/Goose_jump.jpg


This is Karen O'Connor on Teddy, a PONY who competes with the big boys and does very well. These jumps are very large, and very solid:
http://gallery.photographyreview.com/data/photography//502/Karen_and_Teddy.jpg

And here is a shot from the Queen's Cup Steeplechase race just outside of Charlotte in April:
http://gallery.photographyreview.com/data/photography//502/DSC_1606.jpg

Not bad Obie...nice change of pace too!

JS

Thanks. They look much darker and flatter on this site than on my hard drive. Hmmm.

Obie,
If you can see them on this hard drive there is something seriously wrong with that drive :D
They are a bit dark on my monitor too, not real bad though. Have you calibrated your monitor?
There can be slight differences from what you see through your normal software and what see on the web. it shouldn't be too much different though, and if it is you probably need to calibrate the monitor.
There is also software to calibrate a monitor for both desktop software and website.

JS

there shouldn't be a difference between web and software if you just convert the color space to sRGB before posting, or "save for the web," because that automatically does it. I think they look dark, but understandable because you were shooting on a very bright day so the meter was tricked. Photoshop or another program can easily boost the exposure and lighten up the shadows.

Thanks JS & Brent. On my MAC, they look great! I'll try the RGB conversion thing next time, or use the 'save for the web' option.

It's sRGB, not RGB, they are slightly different. Some cameras allow you save the files as sRGB, RGB, or even other forms suxh as Adobe.

JS

yeah, there should be an option for it on your camera. It may be hidden in the menus though, so check out your manual.

Hmmm. As opposed to RAW? Need to check that out. Thanks guys.

no, RAW is a file format. what we are talking about is a color space. There are different options, and most cameras have the option for Adobe, RGB, and sRGB. Adobe has the widest gamut, meaning that it can capture a wider range of colors than RGB and sRGB, but it's harder to work with if you don't have software that supports adobe RGB. I personally work with adobe RGB as my default color space in photoshop then convert to sRGB when I save for the internet.

RAW is a file format but it has it's own workspace as well, and it's wider than Adobe's space is. I just found this out after the AP noticed differences in the jpg RGB, sRGB and RAW files. The RGB and sRGB files showed the sparks from the magnesium wheels appear white or yellow, while the fuel fires are light yellow or non-existant, while RAW files of the same wrecks show various colors from the sparks and fire is visible and varies in color from light yellow to blue.
It's amazing how much difference there is between the various formats, and RAW just plain blows them all away. I'm considering shooting the race in both RAW and JPG to see what I come up with. I will be on pit road so I doubt I'll get any accide3nts, but you never know at Indy.

JS

Hey all - I've been away from the forums for a while (3 kids, 2 dogs,end of school year etc, etc.).

Thanks JS and Brent for all of the info. Some research is in order for me. Everything was so much easier with film - give it to the lab and let them have at it! (Except for BW - I loved being in the darkroom). Digital is forcing me to understand so much more about photography.

Thanks!!