Archive for category Blue Ridge Hunt
Photo Essay: Blue Ridge Hunt (November 25, 2010)
Posted by KLM in Blue Ridge Hunt, Foxhunts, Photo Essays on December 26, 2010
This photo essay is posted at KLM Images.
All stacked up
Hounds work well as a concentrated essence since, despite being members of a pack with a common purpose, no two are alike. Here we have two hounds scenting, two ready to roll, and one howling in frustration at standing about. If you could take this in your hand and squeeze it like a sponge, pure “foxhound” would ooze out. Read the rest of this entry »
Photo Essay: Blue Ridge Hunt (October 30, 2010)
Posted by KLM in Blue Ridge Hunt, Foxhunts, Photo Essays on November 7, 2010
This photo essay is posted at KLM Images.
Arcs
This is not the conventional head pose for this formal pack shot, but I was struck by the lines of horizontal arcs. The eye travels from the rump’s inverted “U” curve to the “U” curve of the coat’s skirt and back to the inverted curve of the horse’s neck. The echo of the coat’s curve with the belly provides stability. The combination conveys balance and permanence.
The horse on the right, by contrast, has vertical arcs, particularly the tail closely echoing the rear. Unlike the shallow stable arcs in the first picture, these are deeper. We know the hind leg will straighten, so we see the deep curve as a spring that will uncoil, driving the horse forward. We also know the matching curve of the tail is impermanent, and that increases the sense of a fleeting second caught and frozen, adding to the sense of motion. Read the rest of this entry »
Photo Essay: Blue Ridge Hunt (October 2, 2010)
Posted by KLM in Blue Ridge Hunt, Foxhunts, Light, Photo Essays on October 18, 2010
The photo essay is posted at KLM Images.
Nature vs architecture
The front gates of the Blue Ridge Hunt kennels have two lovely metal fox silhouettes mounted on top. The kennel building is nothing but straight lines, of course: bricks, bars, shingles, and all the other architectural elements, but we get just that bit of nature which gives it personality. Whenever we look at the kennels there are hounds behind the bars (this is their home), but the foxes run free along the top of the gates.
In a more natural context, these two does disturbed by the hunting activity retreat past the barn. The barn is aligned with and echoes the nearby Blue Ridge mountain that ascends behind it, but is dwarfed by it as well.
Though the lighting is attractive on the gable end of the barn, our eyes are drawn to the moving deer. Read the rest of this entry »
Photo Essay: Blue Ridge Hunt (September 6, 2010)
Posted by KLM in Blue Ridge Hunt, Foxhunts, Photo Essays on September 9, 2010
The photo essay is posted at KLM Images.
Dark outside
Cubbing is typically done very early in the day so that the temperature remains as cool as possible. This presents a real challenge to photography of course, since the sun is often barely over the horizon.
The human eye adjusts so well to low light conditions that it’s easy to forget the camera needs much more help. When choosing between moving subjects (shutter speed) and dim light (open aperture, shallow depth of field), I typically go for speed, since going for light gives me two problems instead of one, but the result will sometimes be rather grainy (high ISO). My husband was out with me taking pictures, and I was able to compare the well-lit but blurred-by-movement shots from his point-and-shoot camera, confirming me in my choice.
Photo Essay: Blue Ridge Hunt (August 28, 2010)
Posted by KLM in Blue Ridge Hunt, Foxhunts, Photo Essays on September 4, 2010
The photo essay is posted at KLM Images.
The good and bad of misty mornings
Cubbing starts early in the morning to avoid as much of the late summer heat as possible. The big challenge was to take effective pictures near dawn in low light and exceptionally heavy mist. The Blue Ridge Hunt kennels are near the Shenandoah River at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the mist from the river was persistent. There were patches of dense fog just a few yards from bright sunlight.
One of the whippers-in was mounted on a grey horse that was exceptionally photogenic in the lighting conditions. I took many shots (and published a few) exploring how much you could get out of essentially colorless scenes. The lighting controlled which were silver and which were sage.
Introduction
Posted by KLM in Blue Ridge Hunt, Foxhunts on August 31, 2010
Glad you’ve dropped by to take a look.
So why this blog, did you ask? Well, I’ve been creating photo essays for my hunts and their associated activities for a few years, over at KLM Images. I’ve been wanting to talk about it, not just show it, so it’s time for a blog.
The ecosystem in Virginia for sporting photographers is well-populated with many talented folks, and there are also many hunters and friends of hunting with budding photographic ambitions. I learn from all of them and would like to provide a place for the discussion of some of the pleasures and challenges in what we do.

Three hounds of the Blue Ridge Hunt dance with delight to join the pack on a hunting morning