Equine Photography-Breeder needs Web Shots

[tomireland]

I've got a horse breeder in East Tennessee that needs an assortment of shots of her stable of thoroughbred race horses. I have visited the various web sites that advertise their equine photography and they all look pretty much the same. Perked up ears, alert eyes. I know all that. Any words of wisdom for a guy that's trying to get some decent shots of horses for a website?

I would assume that I would need to set my drive to high speed multiple exposure to catch twitches or glances that I might miss with single exposures. Most shots will be done in external settings and I'd like to avoid flash due to the possibility of spooking the horse.

Any help is appreciated.

[asysin2leads]

This might get better responses if it was in the Services Needed (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=106) section.

[matonanjin]

Hmmm. There is far more to it than just perked up ears and alert eyes. How much do you know about horses? Do you know how to position them for the most flattering composition? Just like a human portrait you need to know how to pose a horse.

What is she wanting for the web site? Pasture shots? Confirmation shots. Mares and babies? Stallions? etc., etc.

I never use high speed drive. Always single shot. Rarely do I shoot with out flash. Would you do a human portrait outdoors without at least fill flash or, at a minimum, a reflector. It's the same with horses.

[gonzogolf]

If you are doing external shots and you want to control shadows and keep from blowing out the sky you should consider using fill flash. Horses are individual of course, but the shots I've done around horses they hardly reacted at all to the flash.

[matonanjin]

@gonzogolf, I guess he wasn't that interested in what we had to say:rolleyes:

[gonzogolf]

Perhaps not, lots of people here seek affirmation rather than solutions.

[Colchester]

Well, I am interested so intend to hijack this thread. Would you be so kind as to explain the fill flash concept? As a hobby (not about to give up my day job) I enjoy photographing horses. I ride and have been around horses for almost 40 years, so the know the horse part is OK; it's the photography skills that are lacking. When I get a photo with nice light, it's more right time and place than good planning.

I have a Rebel Xti, with kit lens (including the 70-300mm) and a 50mm f1/8. I use a tripod and remote to achieve the sharpest photos I can, but am at a loss as to how to effectively use the flash- a Speedlite 430EXII. How bad is it? After owning the flash for over a year, I've only used it about five times and just yesterday realized the flash could pivot to the side. As you can tell, I can use whatever help you can offer.

Thank you!

[gonzogolf]

Fill flash is a technique you use when you are shooting in daylight and you have shadows that are dark and hard. You have enough light to take shots, but they dont look right because of the shadow. You can sometimes fill those shadows in and soften them with your flash. Try this, use a human first they follow instructions better. Put you camera in av mode, your flash in ettl mode and activate the HSS mode. This will allow the flash to work regardless of your shutter speed. Go outside in the sun is behind them with faces shaded. The flash should fill in. adjust the flash exposure compenation to control the balance between the flash and the ambient.

[Colchester]

Try this, use a human first they follow instructions better. .

Thank you for the advice and the chuckle! My day job is teaching junior high; not sure if all humans follow advice better than horses:)

It's bright and sunny today so I'll round up my daughter and have her play guinea pig yet again.

TC!

[frvryng68]

I'm curious if you have taken any horse pictures and how they turned out. I got a Rebel XSi for Christmas and am trying to learn all I can about using it. I have been showing Arabians for almost 20 years and would like to photograph them, but know it can be difficult to get correct poses that don't make them look out of proportion, etc.

[matonanjin]

I'm curious if you have taken any horse pictures and how they turned out. I got a Rebel XSi for Christmas and am trying to learn all I can about using it. I have been showing Arabians for almost 20 years and would like to photograph them, but know it can be difficult to get correct poses that don't make them look out of proportion, etc.

go to my website to see some. I have also started a blog on equine photography: http://fourwindsphotography.wordpress.com/
Not to posing yet, just on the basic stuff. And it is geared more to sports equine photography. but you may pick up a nugget:rolleyes:

[Colchester]

I have a few horse photos posted here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/41758042@N06/sets/72157623198601113/

Remember that I am a rank amateur, so better stuff can likely be wrangled from these cameras. Mine is the older xti. They were taken with the two kit lens, neither of which has IS. I bought a 50 f1.8 a couple of months ago, but the only photo taken with it is of the horse jumping. That was just a pic to see how it would work in an indoor.

Matonanjin, I've been to your site and it's very nicely written! Thanks for providing such good info.

[frvryng68]

go to my website to see some. I have also started a blog on equine photography: http://fourwindsphotography.wordpress.com/
Not to posing yet, just on the basic stuff. And it is geared more to sports equine photography. but you may pick up a nugget

Great pictures and beautiful horses! I showed QHs (Western and Hunter Pleasure) for many years and swapped over to Arabians in the early 90s, which I still show now. I never did Cutting or Reining but love to watch a good horse work. My husband did college rodeo calf roping and just lost his QH last summer to colic. We are both learning about photography, but are really enjoying it! You do great work and I look forward to seeing more!

[frvryng68]

Remember that I am a rank amateur, so better stuff can likely be wrangled from these cameras. Mine is the older xti. They were taken with the two kit lens, neither of which has IS. I bought a 50 f1.8 a couple of months ago, but the only photo taken with it is of the horse jumping. That was just a pic to see how it would work in an indoor.

I like alot of your pics of the horses (as well as the dogs, cat, rooster and of course, the alpacas!) You do good work! My husband has the XTi, too and he loves it. I bought his camera for him two years ago and swore I was wasting my money on it and he would never use it. He drags that camera everywhere and takes pictures of anything and everything! He bought me the XSi for Christmas, so I would be able to learn how to use a "real" camera instead of a Point and Shoot, and so far I'm enjoying it immensely!

Thanks for sharing with me!