Floyd Loc: Misplaced Texan in Florence, Alabama

I have friend starting a ministry using horses to work with autistic children
and as discussion starters for counseling adults. How can these photos be improved?

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

As you might have guessed...the conditions were tough...very tough to photograph bright sun and shade and dark objects...something is going to take a beating as in your second shot...the background is washed out.

My advice would be (since you can't make horses do what you want) is to photograph them in one of two situations:'

1.) Overcast day

OR

2.) At sunrise or sunset when the light is directional and more warm.

Tea8 Loc: Where the wind comes sweeping down the plain.

I would crop some of the bottom off of the first one. I would take off everything just underneath that top board of the fence.

The second one I like. Other than maybe cropping an inch off of the right side I wouldn't change anything. It would get rid of some of that washed out. Although I could make do with the shot as it is right now.

The third one I know needs something, but I just don't know what.

Fourth one I like and I know it needs something too, but again I don't know what.

sinatraman Loc: Vero Beach Florida, Earth,alpha quaudrant

1 and 4 are the best of the bunch love the composition. if these were shot in raw you have the flexability to reduce the washed out look by using levels. i would also have used smaller fstops to throw the background out of focus. if you get an oportunity to reshoot, i would take rpavich advice and shoot on a cloudy day. your photos are proof that a texan even when not in texas is drawn to the horses!!

Floyd Loc: Misplaced Texan in Florence, Alabama

Thanks for the helpful suggestions. I will have the opportunity to retake as owner's invite is to come at anytime. Again, I appreciate your suggestions.

garthhill Loc: Watertown, TN

Showing some interaction with people might provide some additional themes. Show just hands and arms feeding carrots or apples...or brushing manes...or petting a head or nose...or...well, you get the idea.

Floyd Loc: Misplaced Texan in Florence, Alabama

Thanks for looking and the positive suggestion.

EarthArts Loc: Schenectady,NY

Do you literally mean these photos or future shoots ? For these photos I think you've done an excellent job capturing these images under difficult conditions. The composition is good in all. The exposure, in the first two, seems a little off but that may be because of the high contrast and the background is so light. The last two look good. The focus looks good in all. In my personal view I like the last one best. When shooting these in the future I would agree with Rpavich, an overcast day ( high thin clouds which will diffuse the light and reduce the contrast ) or early morning or early evening. When shooting animals primary focus should be on the eyes. When shooting something like #3. you might want to use a smaller aperture to have the whole head in focus, even though you don't seem to have a problem there. Personally I would try to capture images with nothing in front of the horse. Best of luck with your project.

Hal81 Loc: Bucks County, Pa.

Very fine looking horse flesh. Love the photos.

Floyd Loc: Misplaced Texan in Florence, Alabama

I appreciate your suggestions very much. Thanks for the useful information.