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