Photographing Horses

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Rob
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I was originally going to call this thread "Shooting horses" but I did think that would conjure up a completely different image!

I've been asked by a friend to take some photographs of her horse, but its something I've not done before. I've got some general ideas in mind, in that the details are in the eyes and capturing some kind of falling light to one sight would be what I'm looking at. I think she would also be interested in some kind of silhouette so going late afternoon and trying to shoot towards the sun but having the horse block the sunlight and exposing for the background.

On the issue of settings, I was perhaps thinking of running on AI Servo and shutter priority mode with an iso of something of 200-400 depending on lighting but moreover to freeze an image if the horse is being particularly lively. She did say that he'd been in during the cold weather a lot so this week was likely to be bucking and running about the field. I would assume a flash for fill would be a bad idea?!

Anyone else have experience with getting good results? I've not promised anything but said I would like the challenge so will arrange as long as I get some good lighting this week.
 
There is a lot to answer there - but one point I picked up on, horses are like humans and have their own personality traits. Some won't mind flash, some will run a mile.

Maybe let a couple of flashes off at a distance, and work your way closer to see if the horse is at all bothered by it.

I wouldn't rely on it, but once or twice shouldn't do any harm :)
 
I would say you are on the right road with what you have posted re settings etc.

Do a search on here in the sports section for horsey pics as there are a few on here that excel on that subject, Dod and Hacker are two of many that shoot horses. ;)
 
dont frighten them...let them lick the camera to get to know its part of your body..:D

i have tried a lot to photograph horses...and find it hard...they move close and back...flick their heads..nuzzle my pockets...and the big stallions just want to run around and make you their target..they always look better with another animal...dogs etc in the shot

best of luck...

ps if its a derby winner...thats a completely different thing
 
Hacker should help, he does this for a job
 
I think you've received some good advice so far. Horses can be totally de-sensitised to flash if you're prepared to put in the effort, but in most cases not worth it.
Try from a distance to start and see how it goes, you'll soon find out :naughty:
 
Well, I'd definitely reccomend you don't try to have small animals in shot as well. Some horses don't like them. My wifes nag wants to trample them !
Head and Shoulder shots look best. Horses don't pose. Take something to attract their attention just before you fire the shutter. I find noisy empty crisp bags work well. Most horse owners are looking for the head held high and ears forward. Eye contact is desirable.
It's not an exact science !! Good luck.
 
As others have said there is a lot to consider. My first thoughts are that I never use flash when shooting horses, even the ones I know, as it can have unpredictable results with the regards to the horses behaviour. I would start with 'standard' portrait shots taken from a front 3/4 view both full length and head/neck shots, you are probably best to use a zoom or telephoto lens for this (my weapon of choice is the 70-200mm) to foreshorten the perspective and remember to give yourself sufficient depth of field to capture enough detail in the eyes and face but enough if possible to isolate them from the background. Make sure you move around a bit and try and get some greenery in the back ground, this example shows a full shot but in context of its surroundings, I realise it's tacked up but you could do something similar. This was taken earlyish at a competition my wife had entered.

Zeus-Hastingwood-4.jpg


In all honesty this probably isn't the best time of year for doing equine portraits and not just because of the weather and light - they will have their winter coats and unless they have been clipped they will look a bit woolly or shaggy. This is the sort of weather you are likely to encounter at this time of year and you just have to work a bit harder to get the shot:

Marci-38.jpg


If you are fortunate enough to get some good weather (which includes bright sunlight) do the shoot early or late so the low sun will give definition to the horses musculature. The next two were taken as the sun was going down and you can see how the light and shadow areas gives a more pleasing portrait, also note the shooting angle of the second, the client asked why I was "taking a shot of his arse" but when she saw the result she bought a large print.

Spanner-151.jpg


Spanner-66.jpg


You should also try and get the horse to run around a bit which gives you more scope for creativity as you can lower the shutter speed, it can be a bit hit or miss but if it works you can get an unusual shot which the client will probably love as in this next shot:

Marci.jpg


A word of warning though, be aware of your surroundings and if you haven't spent much time around horses make sure there is someone more experienced with you. They will be inquisitive and expect the camera and lens to be nuzzled as they explore and maybe the odd nibble of your strap and any zip tags on your jacket etc. If they are running around and start heading towards you face them, stand your ground and wave your arms about when they get close, they don't want to run you over and they will veer away. It can be a bottle test though as I have found out on a few occasions.....

Lola-Marci--friends-17.jpg
 
Once you have your shots in the bag then you can start to play around with some more unusual angles and compositions. These shots obviously have a rider but they give you an idea of what is possible, again be aware of your surroundings as the horses can be very close particularly when using uwa lenses. For the first shot I was in the water and turned away at the last moment to protect the kit from the splashes:

Zeus-Stanford-Rivers-63.jpg


Huntertrial-9copy.jpg


The next four are just to give you some idea of framing and composition and to keep a watch on what they are doing - images will often come when you are least expecting it.

Volatis-Vivaldi-15.jpg


Volatis-Vivaldi-41.jpg


Volatis-Elf-7.jpg


Groomsbridge-Stud-188.jpg


Hope this helps.
 
Hacker, brilliant post, just what I was looking for. I've been scratching around looking for shots but none were as good as those you have posted. Love the shot from the rear and also the motion shots.

Late afternoon was my choice of lighting, so I'll hold out until the weather breaks
 
well its all been said already so i dont have anything to add except ...... use the light / sun to your advantage !!!

3pm winter sun was used for these and i love them (and so did the owner)
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11567_204866678565_113600818565_3071098_1652794_n.jpg


19246_240455308565_113600818565_3246648_417141_n.jpg


AND dont be afraid to try mono !

19246_240455268565_113600818565_3246645_705786_n.jpg
 
Some of them picture are fantastic.

I hope to do some picture for a friend.

These have given me some ideas
 
Great examples .....

I'm in the camp of bottling out when they come for me :)
 
If your still looking for inspiration, (probably not after the excellent examples above), but this is someone I regularly look at, though his site seems to be down at the moment.

Just Google this chap Wojtek Kwiatkowski with images. Probably a fair bit of PS going on too, but predominately some great equine photography.
 
Wilky said:
I won't bother as Colin has done it all...lol

wilky
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Hey, hey Wilky, didn't know you had joined! :wave:

treeman said:
If your still looking for inspiration, (probably not after the excellent examples above), but this is someone I regularly look at, though his site seems to be down at the moment.

Just Google this chap Wojtek Kwiatkowski with images. Probably a fair bit of PS going on too, but predominately some great equine photography.
Click to expand...

Just had a look at some of his work, very nice!
 
great advise above.. the only thing i'll add is talk to the owner/rider before hand and find out any behavioural traits. for example my gf's current loan horse (semi retired stud stallion) bites. and i dont mean nip, he BITES. and he will try and walk over you if he's particularly grumpy.
 
neil_g said:
great advise above.. the only thing i'll add is talk to the owner/rider before hand and find out any behavioural traits. for example my gf's current loan horse (semi retired stud stallion) bites. and i dont mean nip, he BITES. and he will try and walk over you if he's particularly grumpy.
Click to expand...

If he was in my yard he would be terminally retired with a lead injection, walking over you I can live with, biters... you can never trust the buggers my daughter when she was in The King Troop was lifted off her feet by her head when one clamped on to her in the end he was shot :clap:

wilky
 
neil_g said:
great advise above.. the only thing i'll add is talk to the owner/rider before hand and find out any behavioural traits. for example my gf's current loan horse (semi retired stud stallion) bites. and i dont mean nip, he BITES. and he will try and walk over you if he's particularly grumpy.
Click to expand...

I would expect the owner to tell me about such traits beforehand and would be disappointed if a fellow horse person didnt !

One last bit of advice, if you are taking shots when they are loose, i they all come towards you dont move, just stand still. They will move out of the way (most of the time :lol: )
 
One last bit of advice, if you are taking shots when they are loose, i they all come towards you dont move, just stand still. They will move out of the way (most of the time :lol: )[/QUOTE]

LOL...... not if it was my yearling I must have him cut this spring he is a devil :lol: :lol:

wilky
 
Hacker, I dream of one day being able to turn out shots of horses even a fraction as good as yours, just awesome, you don`t take photo`s you produce works of art
:notworthy::notworthy::notworthy:
 
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