Owners often need to photograph horses for sale ads, parents photograph horses when their kids compete in shows, and many people like to photograph their own horses to preserve important memories. For those interested in equine photography, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Achieve a New Angle
For truly exceptional equine photography, try changing the angle of shots. For example, shooting up from the ground when a horse is jumping a fence can result in unique horse photographs that capture a fairly common image from a totally different perspective.
Get In Close
Proximity to the subject is also important for equine photography. When shooting from a distance, it helps to use the zoom feature on the camera or to invest in a telephoto lens. Otherwise, the photographer scarifies clarity. If neither option is possible, the photographer should get as physically close as possible to photograph horses.
Watch Those Ears
Horses just don't look as attractive when their ears are laid back or flicked in opposite direction. For better equine photography, it is a good idea to get the horse's attention so his ears snap forward. Photographers can grab a handful of sand and let it sift through their fingers or make clucking noises to accomplish this.
Minimize Background
When taking photographs of horses, it is sometimes easy to get the subject lost in the background. At the barn, there are all sorts of distractions:
- Arena fences
- Farm equipment
- Spectators
- Other horses
- Vehicles
- Trailers
- Arena implements (fences, barrels, etc.)
To avoid busy backgrounds in equine photography, find a vantage point that provides the least amount of background noise possible. This might mean venturing over to the other side of the arena or leading the horse to the side of the barn or in front of a grove of trees.
Dress Up the Shot
Some horses tend to look "washed out" in photographs, but it is possible to avoid this. Dress up equine photography by throwing on a colorful saddle pad or using a bright color polo wrap. If this isn't appealing, photographers can take beautiful horse photographs in black and white to sharpen light and increase contrast.
Increase Shutter Speed
Remember in equine photography that the subject is often on the move. This can result in blurry horse photographs when using a camera with a slow shutter speed. Photographers can also increase ISO sensitivity to avoid problems in low light with motion shots.
Find a Focal Point
It is not always necessary in equine photography to shoot the entire horse. Photographers can diversify their shots by taking photographs of horses that focus on individual body parts. For example, close-up shots of the legs arcing over a fence or of the head and neck in frame can be beautiful.
Turn Off Flash
There are certain safety considerations to take into account with equine photography, and one is the possibility of spooking the horse. Sudden bursts of light can startle an animal and result in a serious accident, so kill the flash when taking pictures of horses.
Equine photography is a skill that develops over time. The best way to improve photographs of horses is to practice as often as possible.
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