While Stanley and I are working hard at home to get in shape, I’ve been volunteering with my local GMO (Group Member Organization) by taking photos at their recent clinics. I recently purchased a new lens for my camera which promised to give me more freedom in lower light situations.

Indoor shooting has been my most difficult lesson, but with my new lens I’m learning to play with my manual settings to achieve decent results.

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On the 7th this month I went to Larkin Hill for a jump clinic led by Margie Hutchison and put on by ENYDCTA. I met up with some friends from last year’s clinic, recent friends, and met new friends. While shooting in the ring I helped set jumps for Margie to help the clinic run smoothly.

It’s rewarding to see improvement in my photography; I know I have a long way to go but small things that were once difficult to grasp are now making sense. It reminds me of riding, to be honest. The riders in the group were growing and learning as were the horses. It was delightful to capture that, along with those moments where you felt the joy the rider did as the accomplished something good.

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The following week ENYDCTA brought Jessica Van Eyck from Vermont to teach a dressage clinic at Two Sisters Farm. Jessica is a USDF certified instructor through 4th level and a USDF gold medalist. She was so warm and friendly, and her teaching methods were calm, kind, and fair. I learned a lot of new concepts from her and went home with some homework.

At this clinic I also practiced my photography. It was so interesting how the ambient light from outside truly affected my ability to capture a clean clear photo. Oddly enough we noted all the horses in the first part of the day had a chestnut/red base color. I had to leave early to go ride and do stalls, but there was a grey entering as I left.

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I feel like the more I improve the more I want for my photography adventure. I can see goals and dreams to aspire to. It’s been fun and rewarding so far.