We get up early to go out photographing, but Mother Nature being who she is, it is cloudy. So much for that wonderful, early-morning light. So, we direct our participants to photograph reflections and plants in the garden.
I find this cabbage leaf that made a lovely arc against a soft background.
It’s time for breakfast, so we take a break before imaging. It’s always fun to see what images one has created. Sometimes, they are better than one thinks, as we tell our crew.
We head back to Plaza de Toros to photograph the training of the horses in the arena next to the bull ring.
Real Maestranza de Caballería de Ronda (Royal Riding School of Ronda) is quite old, and those who attend have to be very, very good. Adjoining the bull ring, it contains a riding arena, stalls for the horses, areas where the horses are washed down before being returned to their stalls.
It is kept extremely clean. When the horses return to the stables from training, their hooves are cleaned before they set foot on the cobbled floor.
The Plaza is a beautiful, elegant building that has seen many bull fights. Recently, bull fighting has been banned, but when it was live, it was an honor to be a matador. Many were injured or killed in this ancient pageant.
Still, as many point out, the matador had a choice; the bull did not. Fortunately, the horses are still being trained, as that is exquisite to watch.
Last year, we saw two horses maximum in the ring. When we arrive this year, there is one horse. He is being broken to saddle, and he is not particularly enthusiastic. Round and round he goes. They put the blanket on. He’s not so sure, but it’s OK. Then comes the practice cinch. Woops, he’s not a bit enthralled. He is used to minding, though so he mostly behaves with the enthusiastic protest thrown in.
We show our participants how to experiment with shutter speeds and different ways to express motion. Cards fill up fast. More horses enter the arena one by one and at spaced intervals. Soon, there are eight. This is amazing, and we feel this is a real treat.
Everyone gets some great images, although they aren’t sure at first. We have pushed them to try new things.
These are a couple I made.
Afterwards, we go into the bull ring. It rings with history. The curves are wonderful, and I always seek to make a new photograph of the interior.
We give a few more exercises to our participants, and Arnie and I enjoy a quiet moment on a nearby bench, encouraging them to find their own way. There are two adorable best friends.
Very proudly, and in halting-but-beautifully-enunciated Engish, one comes up to me giggling and says, “My name is Anna,”
They giggle and whisper to one another, and the other than introduces herself in the same fashion
Arnie and I introduce ourselves, as well, then in Spanish. I have, by the way, gotten permission from Mama to photograph her daughter.
We leave Ronda go to another location, but everyone is bushed. We climb to the top of a hill and make some images, but everyone decides that with the long day we have already had, it’s time to head back to Molino del Puente for dinner. There are several scenes on the way back, and Arnie and I ask if anyone is interested.
“No.” Clearly food is on the brain!
We have a lovely, relaxed dinner, and back to Molino del Arco and our beautiful room. After checking e-mails and the normal things we all have to do each day, we get a good night’s sleep.
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Sounds like you have a group of tourists rather than photographers on this workshop. Of the four workshops I have attended with you and Arnie, we were always shooting from at or before dawn until after dusk. Food was always an afterthought. You and Arnie need to whip this group into shape. 🙂
Too funny, Dave!
Actually, we got back last night around 12:30, having shot until close to 11:00. The days are just as long, just structured differently. And I’ve finally persuaded Arnie that some people need to eat something. I went on strike, so we could take a break and get some gazpacho for lunch!
Hope you’re having fun.
Take care,
TBC
Hi–I am really enjoying these blogs from Spain! One small correction. Bullfighting has only been banned in Catalonia…and there is only one bullring there where attendance has been poor. Corridas are not held very often in Rhonda because it is a little out of the way for most, but they do still do it there once in a great while, probably to commemorate the fact that it was the birthplace of modern bullfighting..
Sandy,
Thanks for the correction. Someone in Spain told us this, but it is good to get correct information. Perhaps they just forgot to mention that it was only Catalonia.
Meanwhile, glad you have been enjoying the blogs.
Take care,
TBC