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PHOTO HINTS FROM EQUINE
ART BY JENN
The better the photo, the better
the portrait!
Here are some photohints... Read them even if you don't
want to have a drawing done because your horse deserves to be
caught in the best light.
As far as the size of the photograph, I can work off
of a 3x5 if you just want a "head shot", but if you
want a full body shot, I will need you to blow the photo to a
5x8 inch.
Here are my "photo tips". Please feel free
to use what you want and to ignore what you will.
1. Get help.
It would help you to focus on the task of taking pictures to have
one person holding the horse and another trying to get the horses
attention. WAYS TO GET HORSES ATTENTION: a balloon, a plastic
bag, a metal tape ruler, a metal can with grain inside. You know
best what gets your horses attention.
2. Get close.
More horse, less background. I am hoping to draw a head shot (if
you are set on having a full body shot however, I will draw that)
So, cut the body out of the photo leaving the head, neck and shoulder
to be the majority of the photo. Make the horse the biggest thing
in the view finder of the camera..
3. Light light light
Put the sun at your back (maybe shoulder if the horse is half
facing you) as you face the horse to take the shot. Choose a sunny
day if you can. Often early evening-late afternoon offers beautiful
light.. But watch your shadow so that it isn't on an important
part of the horse.
4. Don't be afraid to take lots of photos.
Even professionals take many photos for just a few good shots.
5. Watch the background
Barns, fences, and trees make good background. Horse trailers,
old farm equipment, etc can clutter up the photo.
6. POSE! A profile works fine, a 3/4 view
(not a perfect profile yet not straight on) is also great. I don't
mind a straight on shot. But watch out for the "big head
on a tiny body" look or the "head on a popsicle stick"
look. I am sure even Secratariat looked incredably ugly when this
pose this way. This happens when the horse's body is straight
back from the viewer. Stand at the horse's side, not at its front.
Then you can turn his head twords you if you want the horse looking
at the camera. If you are looking at the horse's body from the
front the head is REALLY big and the body looks weak and small.
Well, I hope I have not turned you off of the idea of taking
photos by talking about it to death.
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