HELP! Need ideas for my AS Photography (western/cowboy ideas needed)

[Hattiehorse]

As the title really!

Basically, I've borrowed some western tack off of a friend (posted pics a while back) and have decided to go for the cowboy theme. Not cheesy, I want a sort of nostalgic feel.

I'm using digital but will probabley turn most images black and white anyway as I prefer it!

My ideas so far are:

Riding through water to get the reflection (did it before but on phone so terrible quality)

Cowboy asleep against saddle with the hat over eyes

Back of cowboy and horse with landscape in front

Silhouettes

And then I'm kind of stuck!

Sorry about my descriptions of ideas, not my strong point!

So do you have any ideas???

Thanks!

 

[Ashleigh_]

Well your going to want to link it to an artist anyway to complete AO1 for the course so who have you looked at so far?

I would also suggest using film camera or medium format for a grainy feel depending on want film speed your using.
Also remember after you have processed photos in the darkroom you can use a sepia tone them too.

pm me if you want, i'm doing a national certificate in photography in sep.

 

[Hattiehorse]

I would have used Bob Langrish (the only one I know!

) but my teacher said we had to use a 'proper' photographer from one of her books. So my two actually have nothing to do with horses, just happened to have one or two horse pictures! One of them is Koto Bolofo and no idea what the others name was!

I'd love to use film as I much prefer it to digital but I would need atleast two films and with exams within the next week or so I do not have the frees to process in. Hoping to use film next shoot though!

 

[ForeverBroke_]

What about something to do with spurs or whatever resting against the horse?

Or someone walking away with their spurs on, and bridle/ saddle being carried?

 

[Hattiehorse]

I love the carryiing saddle and bridle idea! Will get my dad to do that, its a bloomin' heavy saddle!

 

[ForeverBroke_]

It would probably look quite good if you can get it in a sepia format too, or something similar

Also if you're somewhere that can create a dust effect so that as they're walking away you get a bit of it kicking up?


If that makes any sence

 

[Three]

Cowboy boots, maybe kicked off by an old wooden doorframe or step?

Worn jeans or chaps?

Horse being hot shod?

That's my best offers I'm afraid without resorting to campfires or boiling billies of beans.

 

[figbat]

Avoid clichés! Eg the sleeping against a saddle thing - classic shot but unless you can add something new, I'd look for something a bit different.

Are you looking to recreate the 'spaghetti western' feel (eg the classic TV image of cowboys) or to capture the reality of western horsemanship? If the latter, think about what a cowboy would actually do in a day and try some shots like that (eg, getting prepared, catching a horse, maintaining his equipment/himself etc)

 

[Ashleigh_]

Ah fair play if your stuck for time, but defiantly look into using a film for your next shoot give you some authenticity. Try a 400iso film which if you push it with a fast shutter speed should get grainy look in black and white. Also maybe play around with depth of field for some interesting looks.


ps. when you have artist/photographer references they don't have to have the same topic like 'horses'. You could shoot your film and print off your contact sheet and she if you can match some aspects such as lighting, depth of field, zoom or angle instead. Or alternatively you could pick out some photos you like and 'apply' the technique to at least one or two of your photos to link them with, they don't need to apply to the whole shoot concept or topic. - might make it easier, hard to find horse photographers!

 

[Ashleigh_]

[ QUOTE ]
Avoid clichés! Eg the sleeping against a saddle thing - classic shot but unless you can add something new, I'd look for something a bit different.

Are you looking to recreate the 'spaghetti western' feel (eg the classic TV image of cowboys) or to capture the reality of western horsemanship? If the latter, think about what a cowboy would actually do in a day and try some shots like that (eg, getting prepared, catching a horse, maintaining his equipment/himself etc)

[/ QUOTE ]


I totally agree with this too - try to avoid the 'chocolate box' predictable photos like sunsets etc

 

[Serenity087]

As a note - I'd go for sepia - it's much more 'desert' than black and white.

From what I can tell, the two photographers you've named are very different. That gives you such a huge scope to focus on!

If it were me - I'd go with the flow - some times the sun appears at a certain level and there is your photo - not what you planned but there it is, all the same.

Good luck!

 

[TPO]

Can't help with any technical stuff but I get Western Horse UK magazine and they've been running articles by a photographer who if I recall correctly left the UK and travelled around Canada taking photos.

Anyway, her work isn't "cheesey" and it might give you a few ideas; especially the "western imagery" section.

I've googled and her website is www.lcbphotos.com

Good Luck!

 

[Hattiehorse]

Wow, thanks guys!

Some awesome ideas that I'll definately be using.

I'll try and post some when I'm done.

 

[lisacawtebaker]

This thread was a while ago... but I have only just joined Horse and Hound Lisa Cawte-Baker here - owner and photographer of www.lcbphotos.com - the photographer featured in Western Horse UK and countless others around the world. Brit Brat who left the UK to become a cowgir lol.

Anyways... can I help you? I would be happy to guide you in anyway that I can? Im sure this project is wrapped up by now - but if not then feel free to drop me a line lcb_photos@hotmail.com.
Talk soon
LCB

 

[Enfys]

As the title really!

Basically, I've borrowed some western tack off of a friend (posted pics a while back) and have decided to go for the cowboy theme. Not cheesy, I want a sort of nostalgic feel.

I'm using digital but will probabley turn most images black and white anyway as I prefer it!

My ideas so far are:

Riding through water to get the reflection (did it before but on phone so terrible quality)

Cowboy asleep against saddle with the hat over eyes

Back of cowboy and horse with landscape in front

Silhouettes

And then I'm kind of stuck!

Sorry about my descriptions of ideas, not my strong point!

So do you have any ideas???

Thanks!

Sleeping cowboy.

Funny you should mention that one, I took this at a rodeo in our town last summer!

I think if you went on Flickr and searched for cowboy then there would be bound to be a group that came up that would give you lots of ideas.

Oh, whoops, that will teach me, I see this thread is ages old.

I hope you got all the ideas you wanted. Did we ever see the photographs?

 

[Enfys]

This thread was a while ago... but I have only just joined Horse and Hound Lisa Cawte-Baker here -

Hello, how nice to see you on here, I have often admired your work

 

[lisacawtebaker]

Why thank you I dont seem to have a lot of time these days to do my photography - but as a brit who moved out to canada 10 years ago - I love the culture, the cowboys and the horses. I intend to get back to being a shutterbug soon.

 

[hobo]

No help offered on the photo's but your teacher wants a kick up the a### if she does not think Bob Langrish is a 'proper' photograher!!