Just received a note from Australia’s most noted thoroughbred photographer, Bronwen Healy, about the time she spent with one of her great equine loves, Nelly, aka Black Caviar. Bronwen’s note prompted an immediate response here on THE VAULT to let all Nelly fans worldwide know that there are brand new photo essays (4, in fact) of this wonderful “pony” (as Bronwen calls her) posted on The Image Is Everything.
I first discovered Bronwen Healy’s photography many years ago now, through the auspices of the worldwide web. Of course, in those days, yours truly was too shy to even contemplate writing Ms. Healy to say how much I thought of her photography. But I have been an ardent fan for at least a decade.
What you learn from a photographer with an artist’s eye, like Bronwen Healy or Lydia A. Williams or Barbara Livingston or Michael Burns, is difficult to describe in words. But let me try. The first thing I learned is that, just like a painter or a sculptor or anyone involved in The Arts, photographers have what we call today “a signature” that identifies their work.
In Bronwen’s case, that signature — at least for me — has to do with her understanding of the uses of light, coupled with a desire to get “under the surface” of the thoroughbreds she represents through the lens. In the latter case, Bronwen’s work situates her viewer in a visual landscape that creates an intimate association with the image: we become Peter Moody or Nelly’s beloved caretaker, Zach Ianson. We become people who know Black Caviar in a way that even the most skilled sports commentator would be at a loss to replicate. Such is the language of the image — and the art of Bronwen Healy.
As I said, it was her use of light that brought me back to Bronwen’s website again and again. I would sit for as long as 20 minutes looking at a single photograph and marvelling over the light that not only backgrounded her subjects but permeated them, so that every detail — whether on a horse’s brow or through the slope of a muscled shoulder — played a distinct and distinctive role in the whole of the composition. These are photographs that go beyond simply capturing a memory. They are tapestries of colour, texture, light and perspective.
Just to tantalize you, below are thumbnails of each of Bronwen’s journal entries, together with one of an outstanding series of photos. Just follow the link provided by copying and pasting into your browser, or go to http://bronwenhealyphotography.blogspot.com and use the menu.
So please join THE VAULT as we celebrate the artistry of Bronwen Healy by entering her world, a magical place where a lens becomes the voice of Black Caviar and the many other thoroughbreds that Bronwen has photographed throughout her career.
ENTRY #1: “BLACK CAVIAR: HAILING THE QUEEN”
http://bronwenhealyphotography.blogspot.com/view/sidebar
Black Caviar and her fans -- there to celebrate her 17th victory!
ENTRY #2: SEEING THE SUNRISE WITH NELLY
http://bronwenhealyphotography.blogspot.com/2012/01/seeing-sunrise-with-nelly.html
Bronwen Healy shooting Nelly at sunrise.
ENTRY #3: BEACH DAYS WITH BLACK CAVIAR
http://bronwenhealyphotography.blogspot.com/2012/01/beach-days-with-black-caviar.html
...and I love it!!!!
ENTRY #4: THE RETURN OF THE QUEEN
http://bronwenhealyphotography.blogspot.com/2012/01/beach-days-with-black-caviar.html
Black Caviar winning her unofficial trial at Caulfield, January 17, 2012
To see more of Bronwen Healy’s photography, you are invited to check out her website at: http://www.bronwenhealy.com.au/
BEWTIFUL!
Absolutely beautiful and spoiled as she should be.
LISAG: You are SO right! Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment. It always means so much to me to hear back from VAULT readers! Hugs, Abigail
Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful photographer’s work. I will be up at dawn Saturday morning to try to catch at the very least the replay of what will no doubt be Nelly’s 18th win. She’s stretching out a little farther this time, from 6 to 7 furlongs, but her trainer says about the only problem he will have with her is to keep her awake, as the starting place for the race is 20m from where she sleeps at night! She may think it’s time for a nap when she goes to the starting gate! Am interested to see if she does go to Meydan March 31, as I am sensing from the articles recently, her trainer, Peter Moody, is not really in favor of the Dubai trip. For one thing, he won’t be with her the whole time, and she will be in unfamiliar hands. The managing partner of the small group that owns BC seems to be the one that is pushing this trip to Dubai. Of course, she would have a long layoff from there to go to Ascot in June in England. Will be interesting to see how all of this plays out. One thing for sure, though, Moody has made it clear that she will finish up her try to break Zenyatta’s record of 19 straight in Australia. He wants her home base to share that milestone with her. Number 18 is coming up this Saturday, and two more would be needed before she would leave for Dubai.
Abigail, the photographs are beautiful, particularly those of Nelly at the beach. I have the utmost admiration for people who can take a good photo, I’m absolutely hopeless. Keep on producing these masterpieces.
Thank you, Abigail, for sharing these lovely photos and the information with us. Beautiful indeed. I am going now to check out her website! Thanks!
Lovely to read this. I am her very proud mother, and I don’t think I have a good eye for photography, but agree she does wonderful work, allied to great commitment and determination.
Persiflage: WOW! What a distinct pleasure to hear from you. And proud you should indeed be. Bronwen is just so gifted and I love the way her photos manage to convey her passion for these great thoroughbreds. I hope you’ll come back to visit soon! Abigail