Sheep etc.
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No trials today so off to a local agricultural show. I prefer the small shows to the two or three day events. There's less commercial and entertainment stuff, and the tickets are cheaper! Today's didn't have a big sheep section, and I think some exhibitors might have stayed away because of the heat. There were a good few empty pens, and the sheep were all panting. I'm becoming a bit of a breed snob when it comes to choosing my subjects. and favour some breeds over others. There were only three sheep show today which are on my favourites list. Two Blue Faced Leicesters and a one Swaledale. In one respect this did me a favour as I concentrated on them, and that concentrated my thinking a bit. Particularly when I suffered for my art by kneeling down and getting a different angle on things. I think that improved some of my pics today.
I still carried on trying to get a 'better' tooth examination shot. A decent testicle fondling picture still eludes me. I'm not quick enough!
They could be better composed, but I've learned a new trick, even if it is painful on my joints...
A bonus today was a shearing demonstration. Again I got down low. And again it made a difference.
If anyone is interested, I'm putting together a website to have all my photography projects under one roof. Today's album/gallery can be found here - https://photo.dlst.co.uk/albums/goosnargh-longridge-show-sheep/
Finally a picture which doesn't really say much about sheep shows, but is just a bit of visual fun.
I still carried on trying to get a 'better' tooth examination shot. A decent testicle fondling picture still eludes me. I'm not quick enough!
They could be better composed, but I've learned a new trick, even if it is painful on my joints...
A bonus today was a shearing demonstration. Again I got down low. And again it made a difference.
If anyone is interested, I'm putting together a website to have all my photography projects under one roof. Today's album/gallery can be found here - https://photo.dlst.co.uk/albums/goosnargh-longridge-show-sheep/
Finally a picture which doesn't really say much about sheep shows, but is just a bit of visual fun.
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Yet another poor turn out in the sheep sections this weekend with entries not turning up. That meant there wasn't as much interest for me as the native breeds were sparsely represented (it's rare breeds tomorrow but I'll not be there unless I find fifteen quid lying around...). It also meant the sole entrant in the Swaledale class swept the board - I got roped in to take photos of his champion and reserve!
At this show the officials had their own wooden hut, which gave them somewhere to get some shade.
The classic head-hold shot is always worth having. I suppose I should really have focused on the eyes.
The chin tickle is not so common. Even though it was a EuroSheep I had to get a shot.
Other than that it was 'atmosphere' pictures.
Another 'foreigner' having its make up done.
I don't ignore the side of things that doesn't usually get shown...
It's the three day Royal Lancashire Show next week (Saturday only for me) where I've sort of agreed to photograph the poultry section - but there are sheep there that day. I'm going to try a slightly different approach, at least on the gear side of things, to see if I can freshen my thinking up. Then a show-free weekend before three of my favourites next month. I might get to some sheep dog trials along the way depending on how life etc. pans out for me.
At this show the officials had their own wooden hut, which gave them somewhere to get some shade.
The classic head-hold shot is always worth having. I suppose I should really have focused on the eyes.
The chin tickle is not so common. Even though it was a EuroSheep I had to get a shot.
Other than that it was 'atmosphere' pictures.
Another 'foreigner' having its make up done.
I don't ignore the side of things that doesn't usually get shown...
It's the three day Royal Lancashire Show next week (Saturday only for me) where I've sort of agreed to photograph the poultry section
- but there are sheep there that day. I'm going to try a slightly different approach, at least on the gear side of things, to see if I can freshen my thinking up. Then a show-free weekend before three of my favourites next month. I might get to some sheep dog trials along the way depending on how life etc. pans out for me.
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The Royal Lancashire Show has had a chequered history and is trying to get re-established. The poultry section has been reinstated this year with new trophies (the originals having been sold when the show went bust) and I was told the sheep section declined when prize monies weren't paid resulting in a boycott. It's not like old timers to hold a grudge, but they are still staying away despite a change of management.
Unusually the sheep were penned under cover and led into a ring for judging. I think I now now why the traditional penning and judging set up continues to be used. Most sheep aren't halter trained and even those which are (supposedly) will make a dash for freedom given the opportunity. As a few did - successfully!
I managed to slip into the sheep tent before it was closed off to the public and got some preparation pics.
There were more minority breeds showing than 'traditional' breeds, including some Dutch Spotted sheep. Nice to see Wensleydales though.
My slight change of equipment proved largely pointless, but my change of approach has added a bit of variety to my pics, I think. The judging ring didn't make things much easier than the usual set up for getting interesting pictures. But I like this one, even if it's not perfect.
Despite the 'local' breeds being heavily outnumbered it was fitting that the Supreme Interbreed Champion was a Lonk tup. Especially as a lot of the other sheep had been pampered and this one had just had his faced washed! I've a better shot to show off the sheep but this one has a different angle to the norm which I prefer. A pity it only looks to have three legs...
There was a sheep shearing demonstration, which was well attended but tricky to photograph without getting in the way. So I didn't bother too much.
Unusually the sheep were penned under cover and led into a ring for judging. I think I now now why the traditional penning and judging set up continues to be used. Most sheep aren't halter trained and even those which are (supposedly) will make a dash for freedom given the opportunity. As a few did - successfully!
I managed to slip into the sheep tent before it was closed off to the public and got some preparation pics.
There were more minority breeds showing than 'traditional' breeds, including some Dutch Spotted sheep. Nice to see Wensleydales though.
My slight change of equipment proved largely pointless, but my change of approach has added a bit of variety to my pics, I think. The judging ring didn't make things much easier than the usual set up for getting interesting pictures. But I like this one, even if it's not perfect.
Despite the 'local' breeds being heavily outnumbered it was fitting that the Supreme Interbreed Champion was a Lonk tup. Especially as a lot of the other sheep had been pampered and this one had just had his faced washed! I've a better shot to show off the sheep but this one has a different angle to the norm which I prefer. A pity it only looks to have three legs...
There was a sheep shearing demonstration, which was well attended but tricky to photograph without getting in the way. So I didn't bother too much.
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I don't know if I was too tired to see straight after traipsing round the Royal Lancs yesterday but I struggled to come away with anything worthwhile from a sheep dog trial over the border today. A different set up to the trials I've been to previously. A lot more of the 'general public' enjoying the entertainment and catering.
The general consensus among the handlers being that the sheep were rubbish. Straight off the fell, unused to dogs as usually gathered by quad bike, and their lambs only recently weaned. That a lot were Texels didn't seem popular either. But just like anglers, and photographers, sheep dog handlers can find plenty of excuses for failure.
Not many managed to pen any sheep. A couple of runs saw an extra sheep joining in. Even obviously good dogs and handlers struggled.
Hence not much chance for photos of dogs working. My other excuse is that I was a bit far away from the action - so had to resort to cropping a few of what would have been the better frames.
The general consensus among the handlers being that the sheep were rubbish. Straight off the fell, unused to dogs as usually gathered by quad bike, and their lambs only recently weaned. That a lot were Texels didn't seem popular either. But just like anglers, and photographers, sheep dog handlers can find plenty of excuses for failure.
Not many managed to pen any sheep. A couple of runs saw an extra sheep joining in. Even obviously good dogs and handlers struggled.
Hence not much chance for photos of dogs working. My other excuse is that I was a bit far away from the action - so had to resort to cropping a few of what would have been the better frames.
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Work commitments have kept me away from the sheep dogs for the last couple of weeks meaning I missed out on having a day as the English National Trials which I'm sure would have been an interesting experience. Yesterday was a choice between a poultry auction and an agricultural show. Not a difficult decision as I knew there'd be a good turnout of sheep at the show which really pushes the agricultural side of things to the public with knowledgeable and detailed commentaries on the cattle and sheep judging. The sheep section is well organised, even to the extent of the officials having their own polo shirts.
There is a big range of trophies, including a tea pot and a painted shield.
I wasn't able to get to the showground early so missed the arrival, and most of the tarting up, of the sheep, which is where a lot of visual interest lies to my mind. I thought I'd try more shots from low angles to see what would result. It certainly helps eliminate a lot of background clutter, but a camera with a touch screen might make it easier to get the focus point where it's wanted at times. Still, using a wide angle gets a lot of the picture in reasonable focus.
The Blue Faced Leicester class was the biggest they'd ever had, and Mules were well represented. How the judge made his decisions from this lot, and how the owners recognised their sheep,
is beyond me!
There were rare and minority breeds, which come in all shapes and sizes.
The young handlers section can be fun if there are any unruly sheep. This show gets a good turnout and splits it into three age groups, the youngest being eight and under with the youngest entrant this year being 14 months (he had a bit of help from mum and a very well behaved sheep).
Next weekend's show has a sheepdog trial associated with it, but unlike last year it's not being held in a neighbouring field, it's a good few miles away. I'm not sure what to do!
There is a big range of trophies, including a tea pot and a painted shield.
I wasn't able to get to the showground early so missed the arrival, and most of the tarting up, of the sheep, which is where a lot of visual interest lies to my mind. I thought I'd try more shots from low angles to see what would result. It certainly helps eliminate a lot of background clutter, but a camera with a touch screen might make it easier to get the focus point where it's wanted at times. Still, using a wide angle gets a lot of the picture in reasonable focus.
The Blue Faced Leicester class was the biggest they'd ever had, and Mules were well represented. How the judge made his decisions from this lot, and how the owners recognised their sheep,
is beyond me!
There were rare and minority breeds, which come in all shapes and sizes.
The young handlers section can be fun if there are any unruly sheep. This show gets a good turnout and splits it into three age groups, the youngest being eight and under with the youngest entrant this year being 14 months (he had a bit of help from mum and a very well behaved sheep).
Next weekend's show has a sheepdog trial associated with it, but unlike last year it's not being held in a neighbouring field, it's a good few miles away. I'm not sure what to do!
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Thanks Chris. If the sun had one behind a cloud for the last one it would have been better, but such is life. I could try lifting the shadows a bit more but it might start to look a bit OTT in the HDR department. I had a similar problem last year - it's the way they always set things up. It's always great to see the kids so keen.
Their sheep were a bit more unruly last year.
Glad I raised a smile. I was thinking of pairing the pic of the two tups with this one.
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A quick increase in exposure has made it a bit better.
I went a bit over the top with my selection for a gallery. Probably because I did it in a rush, but I might throw twenty or so into a simple A5 booklet. I've done a couple before with a simple layout converted to a PDF and uploaded to an https://www.doxdirect.com/ (which I think someone on here recommended for printing camera manuals). Cheaper and quicker than Blurb but not quite as good quality
I went a bit over the top with my selection for a gallery. Probably because I did it in a rush, but I might throw twenty or so into a simple A5 booklet. I've done a couple before with a simple layout converted to a PDF and uploaded to an https://www.doxdirect.com/ (which I think someone on here recommended for printing camera manuals). Cheaper and quicker than Blurb but not quite as good quality
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As with any subject there comes a point where you start repeating shots and seeing new ones gets harder and harder. I think I'm reaching that stage with the sheep shows. However, I am realising, rather belatedly, that getting in close, and often low, makes for better pictures much of the time.
Something else I find happens to me with longer running projects is that I begin to wonder what the point of it all is. I think pictures like these should be seen by the people in them, but not on impersonal screens. Nonetheless, I'll carry on with this for the rest of the summer. Not least because I enjoy attending the shows. I've five or six more pencilled in on my calendar, and some sheep dog trials.
This weekend I was at another of the smaller, less commercial, shows. One with plenty of hill sheep, but poor access to the judging. I was a bit late so missed most of the preparation of the sheep.
One way to get out of a rut I had in mind was to take close up shots of sheep and sheep-related things. Easier said than done when it comes to the sheep!
I was pleased to get a reasonable picture of a branded horn.
I try to avoid taking pictures of 'characters' as I think it's a bit of a rural cliché. Partly because it perpetuates an idea that sheep farmers are all old and weather-beaten, when most of those showing sheep look young to me!
On the subject of young shepherds, the under ten junior handler section was well supported although there were only two in the 10-16 section. The youngest being two years old, and really hanging on to his sheep so it wouldn't move.
Something else I find happens to me with longer running projects is that I begin to wonder what the point of it all is. I think pictures like these should be seen by the people in them, but not on impersonal screens. Nonetheless, I'll carry on with this for the rest of the summer. Not least because I enjoy attending the shows. I've five or six more pencilled in on my calendar, and some sheep dog trials.
This weekend I was at another of the smaller, less commercial, shows. One with plenty of hill sheep, but poor access to the judging. I was a bit late so missed most of the preparation of the sheep.
One way to get out of a rut I had in mind was to take close up shots of sheep and sheep-related things. Easier said than done when it comes to the sheep!
I was pleased to get a reasonable picture of a branded horn.
I try to avoid taking pictures of 'characters' as I think it's a bit of a rural cliché. Partly because it perpetuates an idea that sheep farmers are all old and weather-beaten, when most of those showing sheep look young to me!
On the subject of young shepherds, the under ten junior handler section was well supported although there were only two in the 10-16 section. The youngest being two years old, and really hanging on to his sheep so it wouldn't move.
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I think the fact that you are enjoying the shows really comes through and close in and at the subject's level very often works well.
Without someone taking photos we wouldn't have all those old photos that people love to look at, so beyond enjoying it yourself, there's that. And a few people on here enjoy looking. And as you say the I'm sure the people in the photos would like to see them.
Without someone taking photos we wouldn't have all those old photos that people love to look at, so beyond enjoying it yourself, there's that. And a few people on here enjoy looking. And as you say the I'm sure the people in the photos would like to see them.
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Thanks for the feedback Chris. I think in close has its place, but like anything can be over done. At least I'm getting a spread of viewpoints as I go on.
All those old photos were/are prints, though. I do wonder if our virtual images will melt away in time. That's why I make little books of selected photos. In the vain hope that someone might save them from the recycling when I pop my clogs! I guess I should make an effort to pass copies on to other people as I have doe with the poultry show books I've done through Blurb.
All those old photos were/are prints, though. I do wonder if our virtual images will melt away in time. That's why I make little books of selected photos. In the vain hope that someone might save them from the recycling when I pop my clogs! I guess I should make an effort to pass copies on to other people as I have doe with the poultry show books I've done through Blurb.
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Yesterday I went to the Lake District. Lots of sheep, but far too many mountains (and holidaymakers) for my liking! I hadn't intended going so far north but still ended up turning off the A66 to have a look at the remains of Troutbeck auction mart. There's a photograph of it on a sale day in one of my favourite books, Hill Shepherd by John and Eliza Forder. Somehow their photos manage to avoid sentimentality and romanticism to my eyes and I never tire of flicking through their books - which are all available very cheaply on the used market. The book was published in 1989 and from what I can glean on the internet the mart closed a couple of years later. That any of it is still there at all is quite remarkable.
I didn't have the book for reference so made a guess at viewpoint. Wintertime might make for a more revealing picture. Not to mention a day without a white sky.
I've found very few pictures of the mart on-line. Which surprises me.
These are nothing more than quick record shots, hand held at high ISOs.
I didn't have the book for reference so made a guess at viewpoint. Wintertime might make for a more revealing picture. Not to mention a day without a white sky.
I've found very few pictures of the mart on-line. Which surprises me.
These are nothing more than quick record shots, hand held at high ISOs.
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Interesting stuff and a good record. I particularly like the young handlers photos and the branded horn shot.
I feel that it would be useful if you could record the locations/shows in your descriptions as without them the record element lacks something.
Also it would help others interested in such events find out where they are.
I feel that it would be useful if you could record the locations/shows in your descriptions as without them the record element lacks something.
Also it would help others interested in such events find out where they are.
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Point taken. The shows are all named on my website - http://photo.dlst.co.uk/sets/sheep-shows-and-sales/Interesting stuff and a good record. I particularly like the young handlers photos and the branded horn shot.
I feel that it would be useful if you could record the locations/shows in your descriptions as without them the record element lacks something.
Also it would help others interested in such events find out where they are.
There are a couple of useful resources for tracking down agricultural shows around the UK - http://www.stackyard.com/orgs/agricultural_shows/dates.html and https://www.farminguk.com/countryshowsandevents
Just home from from Gargrave. Although I don't think I fared too well.
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The reason I was in Lakeland on Thursday was to visit the Vale of Rydal Sheep Dog Trials. Which is also a hound show and (as I should have realised) attracts tourists. That gave the trials a different flavour, with a lot more spectators than I've seen before. There were actually two trials running and the courses fenced off. Maybe it was the set up, or me being curmudgeonly about the crowds, but I didn't have much interest in photographing the trials. That said I got one or two pictures which set the scene, and the typical Cumbrian weather! There was also a shearing demo by the exhaust pen where I took a few pictures of sheep. I suppose all these little bits go into the melting pot of the project and might end up being useful eventually.
I took a long detour on my way home and stopped off to photograph a sheepfold. I was feeling hungry by then so didn't stop long enough to really get to grips with the subject. I might return sometime when I can spare more time. Although knowing me I'll probably forget.
Today I headed into the county of the white rose to the Gargrave show. The show schedule had a Lonk class but there were none. It was predominantly Yorkshire breeds - Swaledales, Teeswaters, Mashams, plus others. Plenty of them though. It was a well attended show yet still less commercial than some. The focus of the stalls was rural and there weren't too many other attractions. Again I wasn't firing on all cylinders but think I managed a few more for the files. Some maybe a little too off the wall.
One or two more in the next post...
I took a long detour on my way home and stopped off to photograph a sheepfold. I was feeling hungry by then so didn't stop long enough to really get to grips with the subject. I might return sometime when I can spare more time. Although knowing me I'll probably forget.
Today I headed into the county of the white rose to the Gargrave show. The show schedule had a Lonk class but there were none. It was predominantly Yorkshire breeds - Swaledales, Teeswaters, Mashams, plus others. Plenty of them though. It was a well attended show yet still less commercial than some. The focus of the stalls was rural and there weren't too many other attractions. Again I wasn't firing on all cylinders but think I managed a few more for the files. Some maybe a little too off the wall.
One or two more in the next post...
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Gargrave continued.
This one doesn't really work, but it's something I might play around with some more.
Not sure about this one either. I was taken by the shapes of the clip and the horns. Took me ages to get one I thought was OK as a picture.
Late on I got a bit carried away with trying stuff for the hell of it!
There were even sheep in the craft tent.
This one doesn't really work, but it's something I might play around with some more.
Not sure about this one either. I was taken by the shapes of the clip and the horns. Took me ages to get one I thought was OK as a picture.
Late on I got a bit carried away with trying stuff for the hell of it!
There were even sheep in the craft tent.
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As I passed by today the sheep by the canal were being sorted, lambs being separated from the ewes. Naturally I only had my walkabout camera with me, and as usual not much time to spare hence rubbish pics of an interesting event. The lambs don't take kindly to being weaned resulting in much bleating - which I recorded using my phone.
https://soundcloud.com/dave-lumb-922914232/sheep-being-weaned
https://soundcloud.com/dave-lumb-922914232/sheep-being-weaned
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Chipping Show was lucky with the weather yesterday, and I had a bit of luck too. Not that it did me much good. All that happened was that nobody asked me to leave the judging area, so I got a bit closer to the 'action'. Viewpoint was still restricted and for some unfathomable reason the best angle at these shows always seems to be looking into the sun! Still, I got some pictures without the sheep hurdles in the way.
Trying to make pictures rather than 'snaps' is what I find difficult about this sort of thing. You need a fair slice of luck for action and composition to fall into place at the same time when telling things only last for a second or two. It's a bit easier when something is going on repeatedly for a few minutes. But even then timing is crucial. I took a lot of shots of the chap giving his Ryeland a hair cut, but only got a couple that are okayish.
Grabbing shots of the surreal or amusing can require quick reactions too. I miss a lot of those. And usually fail to make the best job of the ones I catch.
Only three (maybe four) more shows for me this summer. I'm already feeling a little burned out and starting to look for other angles on sheep. It's probably been done a thousand times but close ups of sheep can make interesting formal compositions. Black and white sheep make for tricky exposures though, especially with the compact camera I used (because it focuses close) for the one below. I had to crop out an area of blown highlights and converted to black and white to mask the same fault. The horn has been sawn off to stop it growing into the sheep's face.
Trying to make pictures rather than 'snaps' is what I find difficult about this sort of thing. You need a fair slice of luck for action and composition to fall into place at the same time when telling things only last for a second or two. It's a bit easier when something is going on repeatedly for a few minutes. But even then timing is crucial. I took a lot of shots of the chap giving his Ryeland a hair cut, but only got a couple that are okayish.
Grabbing shots of the surreal or amusing can require quick reactions too. I miss a lot of those. And usually fail to make the best job of the ones I catch.
Only three (maybe four) more shows for me this summer. I'm already feeling a little burned out and starting to look for other angles on sheep. It's probably been done a thousand times but close ups of sheep can make interesting formal compositions. Black and white sheep make for tricky exposures though, especially with the compact camera I used (because it focuses close) for the one below. I had to crop out an area of blown highlights and converted to black and white to mask the same fault. The horn has been sawn off to stop it growing into the sheep's face.
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Yesterday was another day with choices to be made. Having been to the Bentham Show last year I chose to go again as it's a bit different to most being held in the auction mart, with just a bouncy castle and kids disco for entertainment. One ice cream van, the mart café and a sausage butty trailer provide the catering options. The show is very much about local farming and community.
The sign for the show reflects the feel of the show for me.
Because the livestock are judged in the mart, the sheep judged in the main pens the cattle on one of the auction rings, it was difficult to get any pictures of their arrival. I grabbed one of some Charrolais sheep going past the hay and silage exhibits. Yes, that is something which has a section of its own! Being held under cover makes the light levels generally low, but when the sun shines brightly the light can become quite photogenic.
This is shot is just to show the main sheep judging aisle. The smaller classes were in more cramped and inaccessible aisles.
My best opportunity for photographing judging was with the Rough Fell sheep which were being judged on the outside edge of the pens. Apparently this was the first time there'd been a class for Rough Fells, and one took the overall champion's rosette.
It's good to see younger faces doing the judging.
Inside the procedure is taken seriously, with much debate over which sheep will be picked out as a winner.
I had intended taking some more close ups of sheep, but failed. The sheep wouldn't play nicely. Instead I went for wider views.
And took advantage of the sunlight.
Something I can never decide on is whether to take a series of pictures which tell the story of each day and end up with even more repetition than I do get, or if I should look only for 'new' pictures which help pain the bigger picture. That would probably be an easier decision to make if I'd set myself a clearly defined goal at the outset. Maybe that's what I should do next time I think of starting a project? Although I think I'd probably find that a bit restrictive, taking photographs to fit a predetermined format.
The sign for the show reflects the feel of the show for me.
Because the livestock are judged in the mart, the sheep judged in the main pens the cattle on one of the auction rings, it was difficult to get any pictures of their arrival. I grabbed one of some Charrolais sheep going past the hay and silage exhibits. Yes, that is something which has a section of its own! Being held under cover makes the light levels generally low, but when the sun shines brightly the light can become quite photogenic.
This is shot is just to show the main sheep judging aisle. The smaller classes were in more cramped and inaccessible aisles.
My best opportunity for photographing judging was with the Rough Fell sheep which were being judged on the outside edge of the pens. Apparently this was the first time there'd been a class for Rough Fells, and one took the overall champion's rosette.
It's good to see younger faces doing the judging.
Inside the procedure is taken seriously, with much debate over which sheep will be picked out as a winner.
I had intended taking some more close ups of sheep, but failed. The sheep wouldn't play nicely. Instead I went for wider views.
And took advantage of the sunlight.
Something I can never decide on is whether to take a series of pictures which tell the story of each day and end up with even more repetition than I do get, or if I should look only for 'new' pictures which help pain the bigger picture. That would probably be an easier decision to make if I'd set myself a clearly defined goal at the outset. Maybe that's what I should do next time I think of starting a project? Although I think I'd probably find that a bit restrictive, taking photographs to fit a predetermined format.
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Another distinctly local show today with plenty of livestock and few non-rural exhibits and attractions. The Hodder Valley Show is held in three villages in rotation. The valley is on the southern edge of the Forest Of Bowland, a thankfully neglected AONB, which is sheep and grouse country. Consequently there is a strong showing for the hill breeds of sheep.
Last year the ground was sodden. I got stuck in the field used as the car park! This year the ground was firm, but I spent five hours in the rain. A shame for the show organisers as not many non-farming people turned up. It has added variety to my sheep pictures though. Certainly worth discovering that my boots leak and I need new waterproof over-trousers.
One picture I'd like to get is of a sheep shaking water off its fleece. The trouble is I can never judge when they are going to shake. This was my best effort, but the light is not right - among other faults!
I'm not sure if my knees are loosening up, but I am making an effort to get down at sheep level more often.
Even shots I've taken before looked different in the rain.
And a sheep's fleece looks different when wet.
They may look like friends, but the tup would have been using his head had the hurdle not been there!
I've put an album, of rather too many pictures, together on my newish website - https://photo.dlst.co.uk/albums/hodder-valley-show-2018/
My latest daft idea is to colelct the best of my show pictures from this summer and put them together in an A4 'magazine'. Rather like making these posts helps me tighten my selection from each show, that should help me winnow out the rubbish from the season's efforts and maybe make something that holds together as abody of work. Or maybe not! One more definite show to attend next week, and another possible I've added to my list. Then the show summer will be over.
Last year the ground was sodden. I got stuck in the field used as the car park! This year the ground was firm, but I spent five hours in the rain. A shame for the show organisers as not many non-farming people turned up. It has added variety to my sheep pictures though. Certainly worth discovering that my boots leak and I need new waterproof over-trousers.
One picture I'd like to get is of a sheep shaking water off its fleece. The trouble is I can never judge when they are going to shake. This was my best effort, but the light is not right - among other faults!
I'm not sure if my knees are loosening up, but I am making an effort to get down at sheep level more often.
Even shots I've taken before looked different in the rain.
And a sheep's fleece looks different when wet.
They may look like friends, but the tup would have been using his head had the hurdle not been there!
I've put an album, of rather too many pictures, together on my newish website - https://photo.dlst.co.uk/albums/hodder-valley-show-2018/
My latest daft idea is to colelct the best of my show pictures from this summer and put them together in an A4 'magazine'. Rather like making these posts helps me tighten my selection from each show, that should help me winnow out the rubbish from the season's efforts and maybe make something that holds together as abody of work. Or maybe not! One more definite show to attend next week, and another possible I've added to my list. Then the show summer will be over.
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The rain held off yesterday, at least until I left the Westmorland County Show. It's a big show all round and the sheep section sees something in the region of 1,000 animals exhibited. Which means everything has to be well planned out for the unloading and penning to run smoothly. Being held in Cumbria close to the Yorkshire Dales Herdwick, Swaledale and Rough Fell sheep are well represented, but there are plenty of others including rare and minority breeds. They come from all over the country too.
Swaledales arriving
About half of the pens can be seen below, Herdwicks in evidence.
I continued exploring low angles, but shooting into the sun (until it disappeared for the day) was tricky.
One feature of this show is that kids from local schools get to visit and see the livestock, which I think it's fantastic.
As ever, it gets more difficult to find new photographs, or new ways to photograph now familiar scenes. I keep trying. At this event professional photographers are in evidence, as well as the agricultural press rural regional papers cover this show. Finding a way to portray the photographers in action which isn't obvious is another challenge.
Something else sheep related was the fleece competition. Pretty boring to photograph as fleeces don't move about much! Interesting to listen to people talking about sheep and their fleeces. Which makes me wonder how much of teh sheep story pictures alone can get across. With that in mind I'm thinking of maybe putting words with my photos when I pull them together after the final show of summer, or maybe if I start a fresh project.
Swaledales arriving
About half of the pens can be seen below, Herdwicks in evidence.
I continued exploring low angles, but shooting into the sun (until it disappeared for the day) was tricky.
One feature of this show is that kids from local schools get to visit and see the livestock, which I think it's fantastic.
As ever, it gets more difficult to find new photographs, or new ways to photograph now familiar scenes. I keep trying. At this event professional photographers are in evidence, as well as the agricultural press rural regional papers cover this show. Finding a way to portray the photographers in action which isn't obvious is another challenge.
Something else sheep related was the fleece competition. Pretty boring to photograph as fleeces don't move about much! Interesting to listen to people talking about sheep and their fleeces. Which makes me wonder how much of teh sheep story pictures alone can get across. With that in mind I'm thinking of maybe putting words with my photos when I pull them together after the final show of summer, or maybe if I start a fresh project.
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I made a trek into enemy territory to the Nidderdale Show yesterday, my final agricultural show of the year. A biggish show with plenty of livestock and a sheep dog trial. Lots of sheep along with fleece and carcass sections, and others maintaining a strong rural feel to the show.
I hadn't gone with many expectations for adding anything new to my files but I did get interested in the horn brands, which could be an avenue to explore. Someone else with a camera stopped to say how the sun was too bright for him, but I was finding it rather helpful. Being lower at this time of year it was bringing out texture and showing detail.
Different breeds have distinct fleeces. Which is something else that could make for an interesting, if not very original, set of pictures.
There were the usual judging pictures, of which this one stood out from the rest I took.
The showground has permanent buildings on site, including a chiller cabinet.
The thing I have most trouble with is breaking out of taking the obvious pictures and making ones which are a little different, but not too wacky.
The sheep dog trial was well set for the spectators. Unfortunately I hadn't gone prepared for it. I also find it a tricky subject to get anything which isn't the expected stuff. Probably because viewpoints are restricted. So I did what I could and got a couple of pictures I was reasonably happy with. It's all down to gesture and where everything falls in the picture space I reckon.
It's the handlers waiting which probably have more potential for story telling in pictures. Not that this is a great example!
This could well be my lot in this thread for a while now. But you never know. I might start roaming around taking 'sheepscapes' during the winter!
My next task is to put together a Blurb book collecting some of my sheep show pictures from this summer. I've made a start and it's proving to me how bad most of my pics are.
I hadn't gone with many expectations for adding anything new to my files but I did get interested in the horn brands, which could be an avenue to explore. Someone else with a camera stopped to say how the sun was too bright for him, but I was finding it rather helpful. Being lower at this time of year it was bringing out texture and showing detail.
Different breeds have distinct fleeces. Which is something else that could make for an interesting, if not very original, set of pictures.
There were the usual judging pictures, of which this one stood out from the rest I took.
The showground has permanent buildings on site, including a chiller cabinet.
The thing I have most trouble with is breaking out of taking the obvious pictures and making ones which are a little different, but not too wacky.
The sheep dog trial was well set for the spectators. Unfortunately I hadn't gone prepared for it. I also find it a tricky subject to get anything which isn't the expected stuff. Probably because viewpoints are restricted. So I did what I could and got a couple of pictures I was reasonably happy with. It's all down to gesture and where everything falls in the picture space I reckon.
It's the handlers waiting which probably have more potential for story telling in pictures. Not that this is a great example!
This could well be my lot in this thread for a while now. But you never know. I might start roaming around taking 'sheepscapes' during the winter!
My next task is to put together a Blurb book collecting some of my sheep show pictures from this summer. I've made a start and it's proving to me how bad most of my pics are.
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As an offshoot of this project I'm trying to put together a small set of (probably black and white) pictures of sheep tracks, and maybe some general 'sheepscapes'. I normally steer clear of mono conversions, but sheep seem to lend themselves to black and white.
It's tupping time. Which I'm guessing is why the ewes are not out on teh marsh but gathered in an adjacent field. The rams are wearing their snazzy harnesses, loaded with a marker on their chests to colour up the ewes' bums - although the four tups I saw were more interested in grazing than doing their job.
These are three 'sheepscapes' I made today. The low autumn sun helps pick out the tracks.
It's tupping time. Which I'm guessing is why the ewes are not out on teh marsh but gathered in an adjacent field. The rams are wearing their snazzy harnesses, loaded with a marker on their chests to colour up the ewes' bums - although the four tups I saw were more interested in grazing than doing their job.
These are three 'sheepscapes' I made today. The low autumn sun helps pick out the tracks.
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I put my Blurb book together and have had a copy back. I'm not sure I made the best job of it though. making it a sort of chronological catalogue of the shows I visited meant I din't use all my better pictures and included some not so good ones. At least that's how it feels to me. It might have been a better idea to use only decent shots and make them come together somehow. Either way, editing down all the summers images made me realise how many of them are just plain rubbish! If anyone is interested in skimming through the book the online version can be seen here - http://www.blurb.co.uk/b/8974787-sheep-show-summer
Autumn is sheep sale time, and for me it's my busiest period for work. As a result I've not managed to get to any auctions until today. The local mart's biggest breeding sheep sale of the year. 3,800 sheep in two rings - one a temporary one with bales for seating. Not the largest sale in the country by a long way though.
I'll be honest and say that I didn't make much of my visit. Possibly because I was experimenting. Firstly I decided to leave my DSLRs alone and use a Fuji X100T. Secondly I tried shooting in black and white - to overcome the weird lighting in the mart that throws white balance all over the place. It might have been my unfamiliarity with the camera (which I do use quite a bit) and it's limitations which saw me not concentrating hard enough on making pictures. That's my excuse. Although I had the camera set to black and white it was also set to raw as a 'backstop'. When I looked at the photos on my PC I converted one to colour and preferred the look - regardless of the white balance issues - and so converted the rest.
I feel like I mostly took snaps today and didn't really manage to capture the atmosphere. Here are a few. Comments most welcome.
Autumn is sheep sale time, and for me it's my busiest period for work. As a result I've not managed to get to any auctions until today. The local mart's biggest breeding sheep sale of the year. 3,800 sheep in two rings - one a temporary one with bales for seating. Not the largest sale in the country by a long way though.
I'll be honest and say that I didn't make much of my visit. Possibly because I was experimenting. Firstly I decided to leave my DSLRs alone and use a Fuji X100T. Secondly I tried shooting in black and white - to overcome the weird lighting in the mart that throws white balance all over the place. It might have been my unfamiliarity with the camera (which I do use quite a bit) and it's limitations which saw me not concentrating hard enough on making pictures. That's my excuse. Although I had the camera set to black and white it was also set to raw as a 'backstop'. When I looked at the photos on my PC I converted one to colour and preferred the look - regardless of the white balance issues - and so converted the rest.
I feel like I mostly took snaps today and didn't really manage to capture the atmosphere. Here are a few. Comments most welcome.
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Baloo
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Really enjoyed going through your project today, some great photo's that give the atmosphere of the shows, some really amusing shots that made me smile, the sheep under the umbrella particularly made me chuckle. I also enjoyed the 3 "sheepscapes". A very interesting project which I shall now be following.
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Thanks.
It's a quiet time of the year now. I've missed most of the breeding sheep sales, and the tups are now getting down to their annual task! I'll be out and about from time to time looking for sheepscapes and other sheep related subjects
Yesterday was a case in point, which was curtailed by equipment problems. As a consequence I didn't get the photo I was looking for, and the leaves will soon be gone.
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I almost stayed home and did some work today. But decided to give the last breeding sheep sale of the year a visit with a change of gear. There's little doubt that while I'm in the gear doesn't matter camp I still realise that it can affect the way I approach my picture making. I determined to throw my fear of very high ISOs to the wind and use smaller apertures. To make sure I did just that I took along a DSLR and a 'slow' zoom.
Not such a big sale as last time so everything was sold in the main ring. The one with the awful lighting. Today the red heaters were on adding even more of a mix to the WB problem!
The temptation is to get up in the high seats and look down on the sale ring. Fine for establishing shots but lacking in engagement.
There are opportunities for other shots though.
Capturing the 'dance' involved in showing off a sheep is what the tup sales are about for me. It's not easy and I didn't manage to get a really good example today.
Maybe I'm not pushy enough, but I don't like taking up a ringside position. After all everyone else there is working, buying or selling, and I'm just larking about really. As usual I try to avoid the obvious pictures and look for something a little bit different. Even if I'm never sure they work for other viewers the way I see them.
One thing that stills never capture is the auctioneer's banter, or the clatter of the gates as sheep are fed through the maze of pens and alleys. The way the sheep are managed is something I'm still trying to figure out how to illustrate with a few frames. Getting a low angle was a start this time. A flip down screen makes this much easier on my knees! A slightly wider angle lens might have been useful.
The jumping sheep is a bit of a cliché. I still wish I'd not been playing around with slow shutter speeds this time though!
Sometimes the light makes me take a shot. This was a case in point. Not ideally framed, but there's something painterly about the result. As always, thoughts and comments much appreciated.
Not such a big sale as last time so everything was sold in the main ring. The one with the awful lighting. Today the red heaters were on adding even more of a mix to the WB problem!
The temptation is to get up in the high seats and look down on the sale ring. Fine for establishing shots but lacking in engagement.
There are opportunities for other shots though.
Capturing the 'dance' involved in showing off a sheep is what the tup sales are about for me. It's not easy and I didn't manage to get a really good example today.
Maybe I'm not pushy enough, but I don't like taking up a ringside position. After all everyone else there is working, buying or selling, and I'm just larking about really. As usual I try to avoid the obvious pictures and look for something a little bit different. Even if I'm never sure they work for other viewers the way I see them.
One thing that stills never capture is the auctioneer's banter, or the clatter of the gates as sheep are fed through the maze of pens and alleys. The way the sheep are managed is something I'm still trying to figure out how to illustrate with a few frames. Getting a low angle was a start this time. A flip down screen makes this much easier on my knees! A slightly wider angle lens might have been useful.
The jumping sheep is a bit of a cliché. I still wish I'd not been playing around with slow shutter speeds this time though!
Sometimes the light makes me take a shot. This was a case in point. Not ideally framed, but there's something painterly about the result. As always, thoughts and comments much appreciated.
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Baloo
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Another fine attempt at showing a world few of us get to see or even think about, my two favourites are the second shot with the sheep coming to the guy with the bald head and the other one is the guy looking disgusted at his sheep in the pen. Any chance you could number the shots, would make it easier to comment on.
Roger
Roger
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Thanks for the comments, Roger. It's always interesting to hear which pictures people like. Gaining an insight into a different world is as much why I do these projects as taking the pictures. Someone once said that having a camera gave them an excuse to be nosey! I'll try to number the pics in future.
RedRobin
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I have just discovered your thread and looked at every post. I find your pictures very evocative and capture both the moment and the atmosphere very well indeed. You have a great sense of composition and tension too. [For whatever it's worth I am a retired-but-hardwired professional art director]
I have recently been invited to be one of the official photographers at a local agricultural show next summer and I find your work inspiring.
What you call "My rubbish" is very far indeed from being rubbish! Thanks for sharing.
I have recently been invited to be one of the official photographers at a local agricultural show next summer and I find your work inspiring.
What you call "My rubbish" is very far indeed from being rubbish! Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks very much, Robin. I always take it as a compliment when someone says they have looked at every post as it suggests the pictures are interesting enough for them to want to see more.
Agricultural shows are fantastic events, there's so much going on. That's why I spend most of my time concentrating on one subject. I do wander round now and then, and have quite a few non-sheep-related pictures filed away.
I hope the weather is fine for your show next year.
RedRobin
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Thanks very much, Robin. I always take it as a compliment when someone says they have looked at every post as it suggests the pictures are interesting enough for them to want to see more.
Agricultural shows are fantastic events, there's so much going on. That's why I spend most of my time concentrating on one subject. I do wander round now and then, and have quite a few non-sheep-related pictures filed away.
I hope the weather is fine for your show next year.
.... Cheers Dave.
Because I am a wildlife photographer (if I don't restrict myself to a subject I'll photograph absolutely anything and everything that appeals to my eye and that would result in far too many photos!), I restrict myself to wildlife but that includes whether wild or 'captive'. So I photograph animals at an agricultural show but am happy if a person photobombs the shot because I like to capture animal relationships and behaviour. I have accepted the show's invitation on the understanding that I can shoot whatever I want and that I will not accept being asked to shoot something or someone in particular - They have agreed.
I need to update my 'Animals & People' album on Flickr - It only has 3 images in it so far and I have at least a dozen more images finished : https://www.flickr.com/photos/114775606@N07/albums/72157686019463984
Your thread is prompting me to do so.
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Well done. That's the only way I could do the 'official' photographer job, too. There seem to be set pictures which are required. And set ways of photographing prize winning sheep! From watching those who photograph sheep professionally (yes, there are such people) the sheep have to have their legs in a certain position, and the angle of the head has to be just so. I've done a few pics of champion sheep when asked, but have always had to force myself to do it 'the right way' .Although I do sneak one or two frames in for myself...
The relationship between people and animals is a good part of the motivation behind this project and my poultry show pictures. That and a mild obsession with the disconnect that is growing between rural and urban life, lifestyles and views on the world. But that's starting to get a bit deep for a Saturday night!