“MUCH like jumping a fence, capturing the perfect photo is all about timing.” This is coming from someone who knows.

Equestrian photographer Laurence Dunne has been a constant feature of the Irish shows landscape for the past 15 years and during that time, he estimates that he has taken over two million photos. “I’ve been around horses for most of my life. We always had a horse or two about the place at home in Maddoxlane, Dundalk and I rode up until I was about 17,” he told The Irish Field.

“My sister Tara was competing back in 2005 at a show in Barnadown and I went along to take a few photos of her. I was working in the beef industry at the time but the more photos I took, the more interested in it I became.

“I was at our local show in Louth County some time later and Jim Prime was the photographer there. I approached him and asked if he ever needed a second shooter would he keep me in mind... his answer was ‘what are you doing next weekend?’ And with that, I was sent to cover my first three-day-event,” recalled Laurence.

“Over the next five or six years, I worked on and off with Jim and his wife Carol. They are very nice people, fair and willing to share knowledge. I learned a lot from them, particularly about how to run the admin and sales end of things.

Laurence Dunne of Jumpinaction.net

Setting up shop

“All the while I was taking on more and more work on my own and establishing my business Jumpinaction.

“The first thing I do when I arrive at a show, is take a long look at the course. I’ve now trained my eye, so quite quickly I can pick out three oxers which will be easy for me to shoot from one spot with minimal movement.

“I need the right light, the brighter the better, which can be a challenge indoors, as well as decent angles from which I can show the horse and rider at their best.

“These days, with the advancement in camera technology, the zoom ability is so far reaching that a lot of the time I don’t even have to be in the ring. I can get as close up as I need from far away just as long as I have a clear line of sight with no obstructions.

“The ideal scenario for me would be a photo with something in the background, but something that you can’t see, a horse which is using itself in the right way with a good bascule, and a decent angle to capture it.

“I have a number of freelancers that I would use frequently. They would start off working directly with me at a show to get an idea and then when they are ready, they can cover a class themselves.

“Once they are experienced, I would allocate them to a ring for the day and let them off. A typical day at say a show like Flavours of Fingal I would have a team of four – one man, one ring.

“On my busiest weekend ever – Ballivor Show, the Riding Clubs Festival and Cavan were all on at the same time – I had to co-ordinate a team of 14 photographers and assign them posts to get it all covered.

“Each event has its own rules really; at some you pay a stand fee, others take promo shots as payment and for some you are working on a retainer for an organisation, whether it be The Irish Horse Board, the pony club or the show itself.

Magic Millstreet

“A competition which stands out for me as a favourite would have to be the 2016 European Young Riders, Juniors and Children on Horses Championships in Millstreet.

“The standard of riding at that show was outstanding. The fences changed every day and the weather was fantastic.

“On a nice day, the ring in Millstreet is hard to beat. The trees and mountains make a superb backdrop and with a colourful fence and a nice horse that can create a photo that is fabulous.

“Another event which I always enjoy is the Christmas show in Warrington Equestrian Centre. It is always special, it’s held a few days before Christmas Eve and is my last show of the year. Everyone is in great form and not taking themselves too seriously. There’s a great atmosphere.

“There are so many variables to creating a good photo; over the years if you have been watching a horse progress from the young horses classes on, you begin to be able to know the best way to capture his or her jump, you know the way he goes and can predict the best time to show him off.

Art of timing

“You can teach about the set up of a photo and what makes up a good background but one thing each person has to learn themselves is timing; the exact moment when to push the button. I have cameras that can shoot 15 frames a second but you still have to judge the opportune moment yourself.

“It is possible to change and fix so much post production but you can’t change something that is out of focus.

“It takes a lot of concentration to stay focused during a long class on a busy day but that is something you have to learn by doing it really. I have always enjoyed watching the sport, in particular the young horse classes.

“One of my favourite riders to watch is Francis Connors. He makes it look so easy and calm. Even the difficult ones, that’s when you know a rider is good – when it looks like he’s doing nothing but is very effective,” said Laurence.

“Like everyone at the moment, it’s quite a shock to the system not to be constantly on the road.

“Anyone that knows me knows I give out about the travel and the long hours...but in reality I can’t wait to get back to it!”