Oh where oh where do I start on this one. Oye.

1. White balance! You know, I hate WB. It bores me to no end. I ended up using auto. Obviously I need to read up and practice this more so I can get it right right out of the camera. No matter what I set it on, it had color cast. It was better after I started using the flash, but that may not always be an option. I think I need to start remembering to take just a tiny moment to use a gray card. I have plenty but do I break them out to use them? No.

This is an example of shot, right out of camera, nothing done to it. This was auto WB, no flash. *cringe*

2. Timing. I was disappointed at my timing on the barrel turns. I need to try a different position so that I'm getting the shot right as they are coming into the barrel or have come off the barrel and not as they are turning the barrel. I will most likely see more consitancy in my shots that way.

Bad timing. This will never do. Though since this is Dan, maybe I could just blame this bad timing on the rider. :-)

3. My flash. I'm still learning that little contraption that I swore I wasn't going to use much. Again, it's all about having to learn without reading the owner's manual. My shots weren't blown out, as I know at least how to tone down the flash and turn it up, so I was able to manage that. I think my biggest obsticle is just learning it inside and out so that I can adjust the settings quickly as needed. Oh, rookie mistake I made! Left the flash on the camera....I know better than that! Now I've spent a lot of time cloning out bright white and/or red eye sockets. I had the bracket in my bag, right there at my finger tips...

Example of the dreaded white eye. This is not acceptable. Riley's eyes were saved from the blowout because he had them closed. Good thing his horse didn't! ;-)

Happy Trails ~ Gina