Last weekend we traveled to the Augusta Polo Club to capture some of the thundering fun in preparation for our Sport Photography Workshop covering the Peanut Polo Cup in late August.

Polo is often misunderstood. Many people have the idea that Polo is played only by the upper echelons of society – Prince Charles, etc. Not the case!

Accessible 

Augusta Polo Club’s Kathy and George told me Polo is one of the most accessible equine sports in North America – polo ponies can be inexpensive to purchase and equipment is limited. Best of all polo can be played on a simple, open field. If you can ride you can play Polo!

The Game

The game is played on a large field – 300 yards x 100 yards. While that may seem massive, experienced riders get around at lightning speed – remember, horses can gallop 50km/hr or faster.

An experienced game is fast. Play is broken down to 7 minute ‘chukkers’ with riders mounting a fresh horse every chukker to keep the play pulsing.

Horse Safety

And what about the horses? They are trained to perform at polo – making sure they are accustomed to close competition. The sport is gear towards the safety of the magnificent animals.

The Photo Workshop

Our sport event will be challenging – learn about event photography:

• equipment choices – Vistek Camera store will be offering some free rentals
• evaluating shooting locations
• staying safe while shooting a sports event
• performing under pressure
• producing the best photos possible under game conditions

As part of the workshop you will receive media passes giving participants access to restricted areas.

Support Animal Rescue Programs

At the Peanut Polo Cup you will also have the chance to photograph many classic canines. The event is used to support canine and equestrian rescue programs.

That’s a long title and feels a little stodgy. It doesn’t do justice to Dave’s upcoming workshop.

More apt might be:

“Dave’s photo workshop on life, laughter, and how to create an intimate story with people at  street level.”

or…

“How to capture the social fabric of a people or community with Dave”

or…

“Burst with smiles and laughter as David Trattles guides you through the essence of street level photography.”

Dave’s no normal photographer, thank goodness. Where most photographers might spend an hour taking a photo, Dave spends a month getting to know his subject.

He has spent 20 years around the world on a bike getting to know people and telling their stories through a camera. He’s passionate, whacky, and loves people. His website proudly offers:

“All photography that involves people. Documentary, Travel, Portrait and Weddings.”

“Taking photographs of ordinary people who do extraordinary things by looking into themselves and their friends, family.”

Extraordinary Things

Dave does things in extraordinary ways including how he leads the workshop. A past HarryNowell.com student asked “Will there be any… practical application, or is it all lecture?”

I don’t think Dave would ever lecture – and I mean that in a positive way. His sessions are lively, provocative and will teach you more than you would ever learn at a semester of photo classes.

Dave says “the workshop will be a series of assignments followed by review and discussion with the intention of building narrative.”

Dave does things differently – how many people waltz up to the Prime Minister and get the reaction above? – even security is smiling. He does not teach f-stops, exposures and photoshop. He helps you see how to see and how to tell a story.

The Workshop

The workshop is based at Canadian Geographic Headquarters (and not in the field) because what Dave teaches is best taught in many, small doses with your day’s fresh catch on the screen.

When I contacted Kathy and Gilles at Canadian Geographic HQ they needed no convincing to be involved with this David Trattles workshop. They have donated time and space and advertising, asking for nothing in return. They love how he works with people.

Canadian Geographic magazine

His photos glow. His students smile.