Starting Over with New DReb

[MFranz]

I upgraded on the 1st of Sept. to a Digital Rebel. My daughter wanted a portrait done of herself and her horse. I took over 100 photos and didn't get ANY that were keepers. Of the lot, Daughter liked the one below the best. Trouble is, it's terribly overexposed and blurry, even worse in color.

I spoke with a 'camera expert' and he said the new camera was faulty, so I exchanged it. The new camera is behaving properly, so now we want to try to re-do the photo below and see if I can get a better pic.

Other than the obvious technical problems, I'd like any suggestions as to how to make the photo better. Daughter wants a full-body shot of the horse in the background, with a soft focus on her and the tone should be relaxing.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/postingatatrot/BW3.jpg

And yes, I realize the horse's white face is distracting, but that's his most distinguishing feature. Is there a good way to deal with it at shooting time or would you alter it during post-processing?

Thank you!

[Sailor Don]

That looks like a longhorn cattle without the horns in the background.

I'd do something to make it look more like a horse. Shoot at an angle that makes the horse's head look more like a horse. More side angle, less "head on".

[MFranz]

Good point.

You can probably tell by the angle of the horse's body that I TRIED to get him more from a side angle, but he wasn't cooperating. It was a strange place to him, so he was wanting to keep both eyes on us.

As it was, he kept moving around and I had to have my daughter scootch around on her but to keep them both in the frame. :roll:

I'll spend more time when we go back so he gets a chance to relax, and keep his head angle more in mind.

Thank you!

~Marna

[rick barclay]

Wait for the horse to raise his head--then shoot.

I'd like to see the two subjects a little closer together, also.

A shot of your daughter and her horse looking at one another in silent
communication might also work. I like her pose in the picture, though.
She has real nice smile.

[c0ntr0lz]

i like the shot but she is a bit out of focus, i'd shot it wit her in focus and the horse a bit closer to get a tighter shot. same setup, it's going to be hard to get a good shot cause of the contrast betwen the bright grass and the dark trees.

[blinking8s]

i think the exposure on the picture is rather poor. The horse blends in with the bg trees, the white mark on the horse and her face, along with the grass seems very close and lack detail...

[MFranz]

Thank you all for your input. Like I said, I have a new Rebel and should be able to conquer the focus/exposure problems I experienced with the old one.

I did take some of my daughter and the horse looking at each other, but that camera blew any highlights (especially close-ups), so they went in the trash bin.

I went back with the new camera to the same park yesterday and took a few sample shots. It was raining, so we couldn't re-do the horse shots, but I think I'll have much better luck with the new Rebel:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/postingatatrot/Jordan1.jpg

Thanks again!
~Marna

[c0ntr0lz]

what setting are you using to take the pix
i'd say go out when the sun is setting and take pix, don't take pix in midday you will get blown pix :D
gurls a cutie

[darwin]

I actually really like the first picture... Maybe soften it out a bit and clean up the exposure, but aside from that, it's a good shot.

I'm sorry that you got a faulty Rebel... Never heard of that.

[MFranz]

Controlz~

I believe that particular shot was taken on the TV setting. I tried them all that day because I was testing all the settings. I would have loved to go late in the day, but we were meeting friends in the park to go trail riding, so time was short. (That shot was taken around 11am.) Next time, I'm going late in the day and armed with a camera that WORKS.

Darwin~

I probably should have tried a little harder to salvage it, but with the prospect of a brand new camera, I was more focused on re-taking it. The weather still hasn't wanted to cooperate, so I'll see if my daughter still has it. I need the practice in PS anyway since I've only used PSP until now.

I tried to get that first Rebel to work for me for nearly two weeks. I finally took it in to a camera shop and was told it wasn't me, that it was in fact the camera. I was VERY relieved. :lol:

Thank you both!
~Marna

[tripleAAA]

I am new to digital still photography but work in the film industry with both film and digital cameras. You know they say that the two most difficult things to shoot are children and animals! Here are my suggestions based on my experiences:

1. Get better control over the horse. Try having someone hold the horse in place, standing behind the horse, out of the shot as much as possible. If you are good in Photoshop, with a little work you can take the person in the background out of the shot. This will let you frame the shot so that the horse is beautiful and so that your daughter does not have to scoot around on the ground. She will come out looking more relaxed.

2. Try shooting around "golden hour." That's the later part of the day; after the sun has come way down. This time of year it is usually around 6ish here on the west coast. Figure out what time the sun starts setting behind the trees and plan on taking the shoots an hour to a half an hour before this. Make sure not to rush yourself. Get there early and wait if you have too.

Also remember, horses like carrots and apples!

Best reguards,
Aaron