Horse Photo Session Gone Wrong: I thought I might try to photograph my horse, Henry, today. I quickly realized that it really takes two people to get a horse in the right position...

SherriA Loc: After 2 yrs in Italy, back home in Florida

I thought I might try to photograph my horse, Henry, today. I quickly realized that it really takes two people to get a horse in the right position, even with a camera remote.

So here are three photos that lets you know the trouble I had this morning.

Any comments/tips on the last photo would be appreciated. Thanks in advance. :)

Whatcha got there? Can I help?
Whatcha got there? Can I help?...

Ugh! Henry moved AGAIN!
Ugh! Henry moved AGAIN!...

Better, but still needs work.

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

Things just don't always work out......
Thanks for posting what can happen.
Pat

GWR100 Loc: England

When my Daughter had horses I did the dappy dad stuff with my Canon, --then one day I really saw the beauty of the Horse and started thinking about how to capture that poetry, and I found that if I stood back a bit and let the horse move into the picture naturally they are a bit like kids and you cant make them pose. The result was I good natural horse shots and my daughter was not aware of where I was most of the time, thus she rode better and less self consciously and I got better shots.

SherriA wrote:

I thought I might try to photograph my horse, Henry, today. I quickly realized that it really takes two people to get a horse in the right position, even with a camera remote.

So here are three photos that lets you know the trouble I had this morning.

Any comments/tips on the last photo would be appreciated. Thanks in advance. :)

SherriA Loc: After 2 yrs in Italy, back home in Florida

GWR100 wrote:

When my Daughter had horses I did the dappy dad stuff with my Canon, --then one day I really saw the beauty of the Horse and started thinking about how to capture that poetry, and I found that if I stood back a bit and let the horse move into the picture naturally they are a bit like kids and you cant make them pose. The result was I good natural horse shots and my daughter was not aware of where I was most of the time, thus she rode better and less self consciously and I got better shots.

Thanks! Maybe I should have just let him roam around in the pasture and not worried about and exact pose. The lighting where I was trying to take pictures was awful.

GWR100 Loc: England

Remember they don't think like you, when you want them in good light they want to be in the cool shade. I found early and late in the day is the best time, and try some candid shots when the blacksmith is around, they have a way of relaxing the horse,

SherriA wrote:

Thanks! Maybe I should have just let him roam around in the pasture and not worried about and exact pose. The lighting where I was trying to take pictures was awful.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Set your camera for more shallow depth of field (smaller aperture number) in order to blur the background, or try to take the shot in an area where the background is further away from the horse - or less busy: just sky or fields, for example. Henry's very pretty btw :)

SherriA Loc: After 2 yrs in Italy, back home in Florida

Linda From Maine wrote:

Set your camera for more shallow depth of field (smaller aperture number) in order to blur the background, or try to take the shot in an area where the background is further away from the horse - or less busy: just sky or fields, for example. Henry's very pretty btw :)

Linda, I meant to set try different settings as you suggest. I will try to remember to do that next time. Thanks!

SherriA Loc: After 2 yrs in Italy, back home in Florida

After going through the photos that I took I did find one that I was able to crop and come up with something that was halfway decent (other than the lighting being horrible) IMO.

vicksart Loc: Novato, CA -earthquake country

I have trouble with horses, too. Unless you have a helper, horses get curious and keep trying to stick their nose in your face. The best you can do is shoot from a distance with a telephoto before Henry discovers you and gets too close.

Your last two shots are by far the best. Looks like you have a beautiful setting for this.

SherriA Loc: After 2 yrs in Italy, back home in Florida

vicksart wrote:

I have trouble with horses, too. Unless you have a helper, horses get curious and keep trying to stick their nose in your face. The best you can do is shoot from a distance with a telephoto before Henry discovers you and gets too close.

Your last two shots are by far the best. Looks like you have a beautiful setting for this.

The telephoto lens is a good idea. There are a couple of spots on the property where I board him that I really want to try and put for a photo op. I would definitely have to have someone help get him there. And yes, the property where he stays is very pretty. :)

mellaken3 Loc: Burnsville, NC

SherriA wrote:

I thought I might try to photograph my horse, Henry, today. I quickly realized that it really takes two people to get a horse in the right position, even with a camera remote.

So here are three photos that lets you know the trouble I had this morning.

Any comments/tips on the last photo would be appreciated. Thanks in advance. :)

Beautiful horse and if you can get him "right" it should be be awesome pictures. Hope to see them!

h2 Loc: Glasgow, Scotland.

Hi SherriA
Lovely steed.
Just a pity he's a bit camera shy.

Think the advice from Linda F M and GWR100 is just what you need to do.
I'd add, just to fire off shots whenever you feel the possibility of catching him in a good pose. Relax and enjoy playing around. If they don't turn out as good as you hope, then just have a go again another day.

Good shooting !

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

You can lead a horse to a camera, but you can't make him pose! Like kids - use a telephoto and just catch them in natural moments!

Unclewiggley Loc: Winter Haven, FL

Hi SherriA, I use to take horse pictures at shows and I used a little CLICKER like you use to get in a Cracker Jack box. Once you get the horse set up just click the clicker a few times and the ears will come up forward and they will look in your direction. It worked for me just about every time. Really nice horse.

Unclewiggley Loc: Winter Haven, FL

I forgot, if youcan't find a clicker use a metal measuring tape and pull it out about 2ft and bend it in half and then flick it up and down a few time and it also works. Hoeses are always listening, you will notice a lot of times they have one ear forward and one back, their listening!!!