On the back of a highly successful season of photographing Ham Polo Club’s national and international polo matches, we have been granted permission to run sports and action photography courses at the beautiful Ham Polo Club grounds in Ham, Surrey. Ham Polo Club is the last remaining polo club in Greater London and is located in an idyllic Thames riverside setting.
Sports Photography Courses – Ham polo Club
The sport of Kings, Polo attracts royal families come from all over the world to participate in polo matches at Ham Polo Club during the season. The polo ponies themselves are the “Ferraris” of the horse world, having colossal speed and turning abilities. The polo action is fast and furious and is an ideal way for anyone to get into sports and action photography.
Ham Polo Club’s matches are held on Sundays and you will have the opportunity to photograph between 2 and 5 polo matches in a real life sporting environment. This Sports and Action Photography Course will appeal to anyone who wants to learn the principles of sports and action photography, anyone who is interested in Polo or Equestrian events, or anyone who is looking to use their camera just to take spectacular shots in a truly beautiful and unique environment.
Sports Photography Courses – Your Day
Your tutor will be Steve McLaren. Your day will start at 11.00am with a discussion about where you are with your photography, what you are hoping to gain from the day, and how the day has been structured for you.
- We will look at where best to position yourself, because it may be necessary to move to catch the best of the light of the day, as the afternoon progresses.
- We will also look at where to position yourself in relation to the background, to ensure the background in all your shots is clean and strong.
- We will discuss appropriate shutter speeds and drive modes and high and low speed shooting.
- You will also learn how to do panning techniques, to give a true sense of speed to your images.
- We will practice taking exposure shots on the practicing polo players before the matches begin.
- We will look at taking shots of presentations and award ceremonies.
Sports Photography Courses – review and critique
Review and critique of your images will be continuous through the day, via your camera’s LCD screen. We will also spend some time in post production of your RAW images to maximize the shots that you have taken, through the use of camera RAW in Adobe Elements.
Sports Photography Courses – essential equipment
The use of tripods is strictly prohibited at Ham Polo Club and at most sports and action events. Ideally a good quality monopod is essential. You will need a wide angle lens as well as a telephoto lens, ideally around 300mm.
Sports Photography Courses – camera suitability
Sports Photography Courses are suitable for DSLR cameras – e.g. Canon EOS, Nikon, Sony NEX, Panasonic Lumix, Olympus, Leica etc. If you need advice, please contact us.
Sports Photography Courses – Ham Polo Club Dress Code
There is a strict dress code of smart casual at Ham Polo Club. Shorts are strictly prohibited and anyone wearing shorts will not be admitted. Smart Jeans are accepted. However, you will need clothing which is appropriate to sitting on grass for long periods. You can bring a packed lunch with you, including drinks for the day, or you can buy food and drink at the Chukka Tukka van, which sells gourmet food on the spectators’ side of the grounds.
Sports Photography Courses – how to get to Ham Polo Club
Ham Polo Club is within easy reach of either Richmond train station or Kingston train station, via the 65 bus which stops directly outside the grounds, at the FOX AND DUCK pub. Alternatively you can drive and park at Ham Polo Club, although there is a charge for doing so. Entry fee for a car and up to 2 students is £20. Pedestrian entry fee is £5 per person.
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