03-21-2013
"Sutton and a Clydesdale"

There is a parade that is an off shoot of the internationally known St. Mal's Paddy's Day Parade that has taken place for over 30 years in Jackson, Mississippi. The St. Mal's took place last weekend and the 3rd annual "Zippity Doo Dah Parade" is on for this weekend. It was started by the "Sweet Potato Queens" to raise money for our children's hospital. Here is a link - http://zddparade.com/ The "Sweet Potato Queen" story is another one of great interest. Please take a look at the site and see what fun they have. They bring the Budweiser Clydesdales to the parade. It's become a really big deal here. Because we "Cline Tours" is one of sponsors of the parade, were were invited to a special event last night where they brought one of the Clydesdales in to our local arena for people to see. This event was not open to the public. Sutton being the horse lover she is, was so excited. Hughes was also with us but he was having too much fun with his friends that were there. I captured this shot of her petting the Clydesdale and his expression looks like he is saying to me, "Look Nana, she's petting me." You can see how big this guy is. John said his height to his head is at least 10 feet. I admit....he was huge.

I took 234 photos during the time we were there. I had such a difficult time getting the white balance and shutter speed right. After looking at all the photos, I really am second guessing my ability to take photos in poor lighting for an event like this. Believe me when I say poor lighting, it looked like plain bulbs hanging in a silver bowl. I didn't use flash because I didn't know if it would be allowed. I have some fantastic captures of this horse galloping around the arena but they are not clear. I was really disappointed because I have taken so many good action shots. I would not put it on auto.....I just refused! At least I have the perfect photos although blurred to remember the event. One thing I did notice about the photos was how he held his head high in some of his moves and then the ones where he lowered his head. Very interesting and not the normal movements for a horse. I had fun anyway.

Y'all have really overwhelmed me with your very kind comments on my last few posts. Y'all definitely know how to make a girl feel good. If any of you action shot experts would like to see some of the photos I have been talking about, please email me and I'll send them to you. I would love to know what I was or wasn't doing correctly.
Donna

03-21-2013
"Sutton and a Clydesdale"

There is a parade that is an off shoot of the internationally known St. Mal's Paddy's Day Parade that has taken place for over 30 years in Jackson, Mississippi. The St. Mal's took place last weekend and the 3rd annual "Zippity Doo Dah Parade" is on for this weekend. It was started by the "Sweet Potato Queens" to raise money for our children's hospital. Here is a link - http://zddparade.com/ The "Sweet Potato Queen" story is another one of great interest. Please take a look at the site and see what fun they have. They bring the Budweiser Clydesdales to the parade. It's become a really big deal here. Because we "Cline Tours" is one of sponsors of the parade, were were invited to a special event last night where they brought one of the Clydesdales in to our local arena for people to see. This event was not open to the public. Sutton being the horse lover she is, was so excited. Hughes was also with us but he was having too much fun with his friends that were there. I captured this shot of her petting the Clydesdale and his expression looks like he is saying to me, "Look Nana, she's petting me." You can see how big this guy is. John said his height to his head is at least 10 feet. I admit....he was huge.

I took 234 photos during the time we were there. I had such a difficult time getting the white balance and shutter speed right. After looking at all the photos, I really am second guessing my ability to take photos in poor lighting for an event like this. Believe me when I say poor lighting, it looked like plain bulbs hanging in a silver bowl. I didn't use flash because I didn't know if it would be allowed. I have some fantastic captures of this horse galloping around the arena but they are not clear. I was really disappointed because I have taken so many good action shots. I would not put it on auto.....I just refused! At least I have the perfect photos although blurred to remember the event. One thing I did notice about the photos was how he held his head high in some of his moves and then the ones where he lowered his head. Very interesting and not the normal movements for a horse. I had fun anyway.

Y'all have really overwhelmed me with your very kind comments on my last few posts. Y'all definitely know how to make a girl feel good. If any of you action shot experts would like to see some of the photos I have been talking about, please email me and I'll send them to you. I would love to know what I was or wasn't doing correctly.
Donna