Found a bit of a niche

[Tobers]

I've found myself gravitating towards sports photography. I think landscape work is excellent when you've got good landscapes about, I'm not overly into portraits/studio work, and street stuff is fine but doesn't really rock my boat.

So I've thought long & hard & decided to focus on polo. Numerous reasons for this, not least that the participants can easily afford to pay for photographs. Also, there are a fair few polo clubs around here. It's also fair weather & daylight, so no wintery nights in the rain under floodlights (call me a wimp but that's not my idea of fun). They play weekends and evenings so I can fit it in around work. Also, it is tremendously powerful stuff. Having numerous tons of horses hurtling at you whilst you're trying to take a pic is a bit unnerving, not to mention a hard ball flying very fast.

I am very pleased therefore to now be the official photographer for Hurtwood Park Polo Club, which is probably the coolest of polo clubs being owned by Kenney Jones, drummer of The Who and Small Faces. Excellent! That's the place the Guildford gang went to the other week. It's a very relaxed and informal place, and I'm v.pleased to have had my proposal for "photographer in residence" accepted by Kenney himself last week. Rock on! Might even get myself an "official photographer" jacket.

Unfortunately their ground was too wet so all play was off today. Instead I went to Guards Polo Club in Windsor Great Park. This is an altogether different proposition, being a land of blazered boatered shiny shod gentlemen who keep everyone in order. Not stopped me getting an annual press pass though .

Here's some pics from today. 3 games covered in the Vivari Queen's Cup. More on my Smugmug (see signature).

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

#7

#8

#9 Loser

#10 Winner

Thanks to Bristol Pete for the inspiration. Excuse the copyright splurge.

Tobers

[Holowlegs]

Great stuff mate.

Before we get onto the pictures, funny enough Kenney Jones was on Talksport this week and he mention his polo and horses.

Some nice captures there

#3 a great action shot, that horse looks like its about to go over there.

#6 like the way you have framed this.

Keep them coming.

Cheers Holo

[onefivenine]

These are great shots. Congratulations on your appointment and I'm sure the press pass will be handy.

[springtide]

Nice work Tobers and congrats on being the official photographer!

#3 is a fantastic action shot!

[Deano_uk]

Stunning I say!
I wish we had something so interesting and exciting up in Yorkshire pudding land.

My wife is a riding instructor and I did my first horse show last weekend but it was fairly dull to be honest no action just walk, trot and canter

[johnaalex]

Well done Tobers and great shots. My favourite is number 3, closely followed by number 8 - two great action shots.

What gear are you using for these?

[loz]

Funny enough I was walking around Virginia Water today and noticed the signs for the Vivari Cup.

What is the entrance to such events like up on the Polo ground? Can anyone walk in a watch proceedings? Or are their tickets and such like?

[mpritch]

Well done tobers - that's a result. Well two results really !

Do you now have to commit to photographing every game at weekends ? A good source of income I hope too !

Well done again, but not suprised either .

Mark.

[tontoshorse]

and the added bonus of as much horse sh manure as you can carry?

Well done.

[Liquid101]

Good idea, and great shots.

Careful though, the Pimms can have a terrible effect on one's voice.

[TarMoo]

Great set of pictures.

[stevegreen]

Nice one Andy........the copyright notice spoils the pics though in my opinion

Cracking shots and I can see why you are gravitating towards a longer lens........has to be the 70-200/2.8 with x2 for me

[Radiohead]

Nice one. You're going to need at least a 300/2.8 now, and more likely a 400.

[T0MAT01]

Originally Posted by stevegreen

Cracking shots and I can see why you are gravitating towards a longer lens........has to be the 70-200/2.8 with x2 for me

Originally Posted by Radiohead

Nice one. You're going to need at least a 300/2.8 now, and more likely a 400.

Who said this forum encourages us to spend more money?!!

Nice shots there Andy, I especially like number 6. Well spotted.

[jonnypb]

nice set of pics and well deserved

at least you've got a good excuse to get your long lens now