Melbourne Cup day – a horse race that stops the nation. That how it is often referred to. naturally in Sydney Melbourne Cup is also celebrated. No, we do not have a public holiday but you see a lot of girls in their pretty summery dresses with fancy hats around town glowing with glamour.
It would surprise no one that I planned to capture some of this euphoria over a horse race. I set up on a little walk to the Domain, where every year there is a big party organised. I hoped to capture few smiles and the quirky hats. The Melbourne Cup is one big fashion show. It add millions of dollars to the economy. This year alone the punters put over 100 million dollars betting on their favourite horse.
So, I enter the Domain and the very first sight that greets me is asleep homeless man with one shoe. Suddenly I did not feel like photographing the glamorous people any more. I took this one photograph and went back to the office.
One of my favourite photographs is “Horses in the mist“, which I took some time ago while passing a farm. Today I have passed the same farm in a horrible weather: rain and an unpleasant wind. The horses however, did not seem to mind. They seem to enjoy running in the water and splashing it. This horse looked particularly playful.
A very sizable crowd has gathered in the Martin Place accompanied by a large media contingent. I must say I expected one of these unannounced concerts by a major international music star.
My excitement vanished very quickly when I realised this was Golden Slipper Barrier Draw. Yes, there were more people there for a horse race draw then for many really meaningful events or mini concerts.
I keep returning to this farm and it rewards me with interesting situations very often. Today I have noticed this horse, motionless in front of the old tree as if mesmerised by the sound of the leafs in the wind. I had the time to stop the car, setup my tripod, take 3 photographs and the horse still has not moved. Only when I folded the tripod down it walked away as if the photo session was over and it did its job.
Treebeard meets Mr. Ed – now that is the second story in this photograph. Look carefully and it looks like the tree is extending its branches like hands over the horse in some mystical ceremony and the remorseful steed has no option but to listen.
Few days ago I have published a photograph titled “Horses in the mist“. I have revisited this farm this morning in a hope the wet weather we have had over last few days will generate a spectacular fog. This wasn’t to be, however I still managed to capture this rather picturesque landscape photograph of a lonely horse in the morning sun.
