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