| A good photograph portrays your horse in his | | | | be wowed by your horse, not your new Cadillac |
| best possible light. A bad photograph, by contrast, | | | | Escalade. Look at the details before you click! |
| draws attention to every fault, no matter how | | | | Sounds crazy, but how many amateur |
| insignificant, and sometimes even exaggerates | | | | photographs have you seen that depict horses |
| those faults! | | | | with pitchforks growing out of their heads? As |
| Whether you are advertising your horse because | | | | improbably as it sounds, I bet at least one, right? |
| he is for sale or advertising his recent show ring | | | | It bears repeating-check the background! |
| accomplishments, knowing how to photograph | | | | • Make sure tack is clean. If you |
| your horse correctly is a skill you must develop. If | | | | photograph your horse in his bridle or saddle, |
| you derive income from your horses getting good | | | | make sure that both have been recently |
| photographs of them to put in front of the public | | | | scrubbed. For that matter, anything your horse |
| is absolutely integral! | | | | wears in a photo should be squeaky clean. That |
| So, how do you take good photographs of your | | | | goes for the rider and handler, too! |
| horse? Well, the first thing you should know is | | | | • Enlist the help of a knowledgeable |
| that it takes a little bit of practice. You shouldn't | | | | horse person. You can't take pictures and position |
| expect to load your camera, take a few rolls, and | | | | the horse too, so you'll need some help. It's best |
| be Robert Vavra over night! However, if you | | | | if the person who helps you knows how to pose |
| follow the following tips you'll be shooting great | | | | a horse to his best advantage. |
| pics of your horse in no time. | | | | • The angle and position of the horse |
| • Film matters! That's right, use | | | | are key. For a full body shot, stand the horse |
| good-quality film such as Kodak or Fuji, and you'll | | | | with both front legs together and one hind leg |
| see it really does make a difference. If you are | | | | slightly behind the other. To minimize parts looking |
| using a 35 mm format opt for 200 ASA. Going | | | | too large or too small, focus on the middle of the |
| digital? The higher the pixels the better. | | | | horse, and do not shoot from too high or too low. |
| • Pick the right day. A bright day is | | | | Make sure the horse looks alert with bright eyes |
| good, but pick a day that isn't too sunny. Too | | | | and both ears forward. Horse not cooperating? |
| much sun will create dark shadows, and can be | | | | Have a friend make some noise (outside the |
| particularly problematic if you are shooting a dark | | | | frame, of course!) to get your horse's attention. |
| horse. If you have no choice but to shoot on a | | | | • Get the right action. If you are taking |
| sunny day, use a flash to eliminate shadows. It | | | | shots of your horse in action, you'll want to |
| sounds counterintuitive, but it really does work! | | | | capture his power and impulsion. If your horse is |
| • Prepare your horse. Now I know you | | | | trotting or cantering, try to capture him with his |
| are not going to stand him up hairy and dirty, but | | | | leading leg extended. |
| in addition to good grooming you might want to | | | | • Stay away from the front and rear. |
| take some extra steps to ensure your horse | | | | Photos from the side come out much nicer than |
| looks his best. If appropriate to the discipline in | | | | photos taken head on or from the rear, which |
| which he participates, braid his mane and oil his | | | | almost always accentuate unwanted things and |
| hooves. Make sure his coat and his tail are shiny | | | | make them look, well, HUGE! |
| and well-brushed. | | | | • Keep clicking! While skill is most |
| • Pick a uncluttered background. A | | | | certainly involved, some of the best horse |
| natural background such as a field, woodland, or | | | | photographs are lucky. That's right. Don't wait for |
| pasture is a good choice. The barnyard or | | | | the perfect moment. Just keep clicking and you |
| driveway, no matter how neat and clean, is not a | | | | are sure to get a shot that shows your horse at |
| great choice because of the stuff that is bound | | | | his best! |
| to be in the background. You want the viewer to | | | | |