Horse Photo Session - Idea Help!

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jenz87

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Basically im looking for ideas for a horse photo session, from those who have had one, or from someone who does this.
Basically my friend is studying to be a professional photographer, although not in the animal world, he has offered to have a go taking some pics of the horses which i thought was very nice :D

Basically id like some photo oportunity ideas, from those who have done it before, ive seen other people post some wonderful pics, so any tips will be greatfully recieved.
 
There was a similar thread a while ago, I can't find it though, sorry.

Ideas?

Silhouettes

Rape/poppy/wheat field

Interesting landmarks, buildings, bridges, trees, hills, lakes, beaches - what have you got local to you?

Contrasting backgrounds,

Don't forget the squeaky toy, plastic bag etc to make your horse look alert.

Is your friend horse orientated? If not then he may need a few pointers, what looks good to him may not look so good to you, eg, three legged horse, bum shots, blinking eyes, head on, certain angles don't work either and just make a horse look weird, it's trial and error.

Try going on some of the Flickr pages and looking a horse shots there to give yourself some ideas maybe?

This one is fairly heavy duty serious stuff...http://www.flickr.com/groups/606903@N20/pool/

Are you planning for photos to be ridden, in hand, at liberty?
 
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Iv seen a few beautiful bareback shots where the girl was wearing a dress etc - they come out very nice but may put safety at risk with lack of hat etc - although you could wear a hat........just not sure how that combo would look :D
 
I had a fab shoot with a friend photographer recently, i dont know what colour your horse is, but we did some in a doorway to a dark barn, and the light worked to provide a completely black background, which looked fab.

I had some wearing a dress and wellies sat bareback astride and side saddle, we had some arty shots done under a tree (light coming through the leaves were fab), some close ups of the eyes were nice, some over the stable door.

Have fun, i love my photos!
 
I have found it takes about 20minutes for the subjects to relax in the presence of a camera and to stop eating the lens :eek:, emptying out the camera bag :eek: and generally being too interested in the photographer.

If you google Emma Maxwell photographer, she has some lovely shots. Light is crucial but then your friend will know that :).

I did a series of photographs of close ups of my horses eyes using a macro lens with extension ring. You can really capture the soul of the horse.

I also like photos where one side of their face is in shadow and other light (Emma again!)
 
My brother-in-law recently came and photographed me and some of my friends. We went for the arty look, with the girls wearing dresses etc. A lot were taken under trees, with light shining through etc, in a barn near a tractor etc.

You should be able to look at them if you press 'click here' on http://www.mbishopphotography.co.uk/client-gallery-2

Have a super time and enjoy it, the photos will be great!
 
jenz87 said:
Basically im looking for ideas for a horse photo session, from those who have had one, or from someone who does this.
Basically my friend is studying to be a professional photographer, although not in the animal world, he has offered to have a go taking some pics of the horses which i thought was very nice :D

Basically id like some photo oportunity ideas, from those who have done it before, ive seen other people post some wonderful pics, so any tips will be greatfully recieved.
Click to expand...

my partner is a equine photographer, and loves shooting horses (he used to be just a normal photographer till he met me!!!) his equine side of the business is booming, and he enjoys getting very natural shots, and has just started doing "story books" so spends a lot of time with horse and rider from bringing the horse in from the field (these look fab in black and white) to grooming, tacking up, riding with various senarios, ie jumping, flatwork then a little hack with nice scenery and then untacking and some loving gentle shots which then create a day with the horse type of story book.
i personally like natural shots, shots where you forget the camera is there, but most of all he captures images where it shows the bond and love between you and your horse.
good luck with your shoot, and if you forget the camera is there and try not to stage the shots too much (just let them happen) you will end up with some truly unique images. dont forget to post the piccies when there done!
 
In some woods, I think you can get some wonderful lighting and colours through the trees with that natural down to earth feel about it, depending on the time of the year, with the wild flowers (bluebells for example) the photos would look stunning. :)
 
here are mine - http://www.fallenlightphotography.com/store/index.php?do=photocart&viewGallery=10069#page=1

Favourites are...
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