Good Photos Sell Your Horse - Part 2

The Good Photos series continues with 3 more tips to improve the quality of your horse photos.
 
Part 2 of 3
 
4. Conformation Shot

• Its best to take the conformation shot before any action shots so the horse won't have any sweaty saddle marks. when they are fresh they tend to hold themselves better and show more presence compared to after having finished working. If you take your conformation shots in a show halter or a bridle, use clean tack that fits well and doesn't have any tabs hanging loose.
  • Getting the horse to stand in an open stance is best. An open stance is where the two legs nearest the camera will be a little more open compared to the two on the other side. This will ensure that the buyer will be able to see all 4 legs.
  • It is useful to have another person to stand in front of the horse so as to get their attention (see more in 'Get Alert' ). You also need a handler who can setup the horse properly so that he's putting equal weight on each leg. This will show how he is well balanced. If he starts to lift a leg up slightly, you should push on his chest so that he will step back and put his weight back on it.
  • If you want to prove that your horse is a good mover you could take a trot shot. Its best to stand in the middle of the ring & keep clicking! You want to try get a shot of him when his front inside leg goes forward with a slight bend in the knee. A small bit of practice & you'll get the timing right.
  • To get a good jumping shot you should try get one where he has both his knees up together as he is jumping the flight. Again this is down to timing & practice so keep taking as many shots as you can & move around a bit if you're not getting a good angle. The best position is to stand a couple of feet to the front of the jump & point the camera so that you can see the front of the obstacle & the front of the horse, as he jumps. If you have a sports/action mode in your camera it will help you to get a sharp in focus photo.

  5. Background

  • Its best to have an uncluttered background so that there is no distractions for the buyer. There shouldn’t be anything taking their attention away from the horse (especially not other horses).
  • Its also good to have a contrasting background as having a dark background behind a dark horse will not show him in the best light. In a field or on a road on the farm are normally good places to stand them.
  • Its best if you can avoid including the handler in the picture. If they can stay a bit back so that their hands aren't in front blocking any part of the horse.

  6. Get Alert

  • The best way to get your horse looking alert is to have a few props that will grab their attention. You should have a person standing back from the handler so that the horse will be looking at them. You want the horse looking straight ahead if possible, with their head up, neck arched a bit & ears pricked.
  • There are many ways of achieving this like using as a feed bag, a mirror, whistling or even just waving your arms can work. Whatever works! Whatever creates that element of surprise without scaring him as otherwise he'll move out of position. It normally just gets them thinking whether its something they should be afraid of or something they could get to eat!

    Feel free to make a comment below or Contact Us here. Check back soon for the final part of the series... 

Previous section - Part 1 and next section Part 3