US horse racing photographer on capturing the moment, and ‘incredible’ Happy Valley
- Alex Evers talks about his Hong Kong exhibition of horse racing photos, why he loves the Happy Valley track and how being colour blind helps
Equine photographer Alex Evers has the utmost respect for his subjects. “It’s my job to make a picture as good as the horse is,” the American says.
When the 40-year-old, winner of a Media Eclipse Award – presented annually for outstanding racing journalism in the United States – turns his lens to the action on a racecourse, he wants to capture the beauty, speed and athleticism of horse and jockey.
“That’s always my drive [...] to be able to articulate that in the photo and share that with fans [who] can’t get on a horse or can’t get really close to a horse,” he says.
The 30 images featured in the exhibition highlighted some of the season’s most breathtaking moments, and included portraits of champions like Romantic Warrior, who was just named Hong Kong Horse of the Year, and another champion, Golden Sixty.
Evers, who wanted to be a jockey as a child, quips that when he was old enough to pick up a camera he figured being an equine photographer “was the easiest way for me to get a credential and then go to the races for free”.
