Photo school - Part 1

Do you want to photograph your horse, but maybe don't quite get around to it? Do you want to learn the basics of horse photography? Then this mini-course is for you!

In this first part we will go through light. What you should think about, and how you can facilitate the photography. This should be seen as tips and a basic guide, not an exact instruction manual on how to shoot. It can be a good way to start, before experimenting further yourself.

Light

When it comes to light, more isn't always better. A late evening when it's dark is obviously more difficult to photograph in, but it's not always a sunny lunch that gives the softest light. Personally, I like to shoot in the shade, or in the morning/evening, when the light is softer. You avoid the sharp light that also produces harsh shadows. 

You yourself have probably been photographed at some point and stood with the sun directly in your eyes. Then you know that it is very difficult to be photographed in it, and it is easy to squint. The photography becomes more enjoyable by avoiding this, and the feeling in both photography and images also becomes completely different. when you photograph, or how you pose the horse, therefore also affects the feeling during the photographing.

Examples of different light conditions

Shadow

Shooting in shady areas can be good to avoid the harsh and direct sunlight. The shade provides softer lighting and reduces the risk of sharp shadows on the horse.

Morning/evening light:

Even morning/evening light gives a soft light, when the sun is low in the sky. This provides a warm light that can enhance the horse's color and create soft contrasts.

Backlight at sunset:

Challenge yourself by experimenting with backlighting during a sunset. It can create beautiful silhouette images where the outline of the horse stands out against the colorful sky.

Days with bright light:

On days with intense sunlight, you can explore how the bright light highlights the horse's color shades. Be careful to avoid overexposure by adjusting the camera settings.

By being open to exploring different lighting scenarios, you will discover what works best to highlight the horse and what you want to show. Don't be afraid to experiment with the unique conditions that each day and place offers.

Basic tips

-Having the sun directly in front of the camera, or directly behind the camera is generally to be avoided as it means a strong backlight that can be difficult to photograph in. 

-Shooting before dawn and after dusk is difficult, as the limited light means you will have to compensate with shutter speed, ISO and aperture.

Posing

When it comes to posing the horse for a photo, there are some basic rules you can keep in mind.

Basic tips

-Avoid setting the horse so that the hindquarters end up higher than normal. Placing the horse on a hill where it stands with the front part of the body down is therefore not optimal. A level terrain is a good start.

-Avoid cropping the image in joints, both during the shooting and post-processing of the image. The middle of the front knee or the hoof, for example, can look strange.

-How you want to pose the horse is a matter of taste, and many prefer to do something different. A common way to pose the horse for photography from the side is so that the horse stands with its open side facing the camera. Simply so that the legs on the side facing the camera stand further apart than the legs on the far side do. Otherwise, it is a good start that the horse stands level with the legs, so that it is not weighed on one leg, or that another leg is a good distance behind or in front of the other leg. If it is difficult to get the horse to stand still or pose as desired, ask for help from another person. It can be very helpful to have someone who can hold the horse still or attract its attention.

-A horse that shines and looks curious often gives the best impression. A crunching sound or a bucket of concentrate being shaken can help make the horse look a little extra curious. Keep in mind that horses can react strongly to noise and be careful with sounds and movements to avoid scaring the horse. Read its body language and stop if you notice any signs of discomfort or fear.

Camera location

-As a basic rule, it is recommended that the camera/mobile phone be held at the height of the horse's/rider's head/eyes. Of course, you can try your hand at higher or lower placement, but this can distort the perspective. Low angles can make objects appear larger and more impressive, while high angles can create a more panoramic view and make the object appear smaller.

-The use of Fisheye or a "zoom" below 1x on the mobile can cause distortion and affect the horse's proportions and thus give an unrealistic image.

-Move in relation to the horse. Zoom on a mobile phone or camera lens can of course be used, but moving a little forward or backward instead can make a big difference.

We hope that this first of two part photography school has been educational and interesting to take part in, as well as helping you to take that bit sharper photos of your horse.

Do you have questions or requests for future articles? Send us an email at support@zaczess.com .