Critiques please, first shoot of a horse (Page 2): Horse photography is tricky - especially if you are doing it for the owner. There are a tremendous number of things owners look for...

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Horse photography is tricky - especially if you are doing it for the owner. There are a tremendous number of things owners look for in an image - are the ears in the right position, is the mane pulled or braided perfectly, what's the position of the legs, head, neck, eyes etc... They tend to very picky - and when you introduce the rider into the photo it just gets more complicated. Also, horse photography is BIG business at riding events - there are always professionals there that go from show to show, the horse owners know them and both are particularly protective of thier livelihood.

Now for your shots don't forget to study the full image when composing the shot. The background distracts from your shots - the house in the first one and the people riding and the poles growing from the back of the horse in the second shot.

PHFoto Loc: Idaho

Howdeee, I was in Hong Kong a few times and ran into the same situation, then they would hold out their hand for a Hong Kong dollar, Then you could take as many pictures as you liked. With a smile :)

Celia Loc: Pine Canyon, Utah

Believe me, there are those types of people in every sport, equine included. It's just too bad you had to deal with someone like that, at any time. Go to shows. Photo horses in pastures. They make good subjects. For the record. If you want to shoot photo's of any of my horses, you are welcome.

joec Loc: Central Texas, USA

Jwilliams0469 wrote:

This horse is at a Halloween event just outside of where I live. I don't know why they had horses as part of the event but they did. This is the only one I had permission to shoot. Sorry, she only let me take two photographs then asked me to move on. People are rude these days. I don't think I was hurting anything by taking photographs. I even offered to send her copies but she didn't want that either.

In the first shot the backlighting on the mane is nice, but the backlight fooled the camera a bit--horse's face is underexposed. If you have some post-processing software try using fill light to lighten up the subject without blowing out the backlight even more.

Joe C

jepoplin Loc: Steamboat Springs, CO

I live in an area with a lot of ranches and horses and never have encountered an owner like you did.

As far as the photos, watch you composition and what going on in the background. I'd crop the first one to a portrait, vertical vs. horizontal. There's a not of neck in that photo and takes away from the face of the horse. The windows in the house also take away from your photo. In the second one, your horizon looks off kilter and the power poles take away from the photo. Just make sure you are looking at everything in the frame, not just your subject.

Country's Mama Loc: Michigan

Jwilliams0469 wrote:

This horse is at a Halloween event just outside of where I live. I don't know why they had horses as part of the event but they did. This is the only one I had permission to shoot. Sorry, she only let me take two photographs then asked me to move on. People are rude these days. I don't think I was hurting anything by taking photographs. I even offered to send her copies but she didn't want that either.

How very weird. Usually if you are at a public event with your animals you expect to be photographed. Oh well on to the C&C that you asked for. Keep in mind this is just my opinion. I would like to see the horse lightened up a bit in the first picture. His face is in the shade and I think you would might be able to pull out some of the detail that gets lost in the shadow. Too bad you couldn't shoot from the other side of the horse so the sun was to your back.

Sensei

I found many parts of the world where people seemed to have that fear reaction I try to get around it by having a small discreet camera (yes a point and shoot) as well as one with a 28-300 lens, that will let me get the shoot from a distance.

jokescache1 Loc: SW Utah

Jwilliams0469 wrote:

This horse is at a Halloween event just outside of where I live. I don't know why they had horses as part of the event but they did. This is the only one I had permission to shoot. Sorry, she only let me take two photographs then asked me to move on. People are rude these days. I don't think I was hurting anything by taking photographs. I even offered to send her copies but she didn't want that either.

no one appears to have answered your post,,"critique please"..
I think both pics look good,sharp/color/etc..
the second one is basically a, snapshot,pic the family could love.
if wanting for sale or show,then it would be better with head up/alert/looking around..still a good pic..
one reason she could have been short with you, you said there was another photog there taking pics of her and horse,,she could have hired a pro[or friend] to do this,and was conserned that it would disturb the shoot..
of course her way of expressing that was not nice..

pps; shame I'm such a slow typer.. by time I got done & sent.. many have done a critique..LOL

SloppyJoe Loc: Walkertown N.C.

fthomas wrote:

Don't feel bad. I'm sure that you approached her in the appropriate way.

I lived in Hong Kong for a few years and there were many people in Asia that believed that if you photographed them that you were capturing their spirit. I've had oranges thrown at me and chased down the street with a bambo pole.

Trust me it could have beeh worse. She at least wasn't physically throwing the dung at you in a literal sense.

Now, that would make a good photo! Just kidding. Hope you have nicer people to ask the next time. Good luck! :-)

kimberliswenson Loc: Ridgefield, WA

It is possible that the other photographer was there being paid to shoot the horse and girl, and may have felt that you were infringing. It doesn't always pay to ask permission. There was a thread on here the other day about photographer's rights and no expectations of privacy at a public place or event. You tried to do the right thing, though and should be commended. You got a couple of great shots of a beautiful horse anyhow!

Jwilliams0469 wrote:

quote=fthomas To bad you didn't have more of a ch... (show quote)

Unclewiggley Loc: Winter Haven, FL

I photographed jumpers and did horse portraits some time ago. If you photograph them again carry a "clicker" of some type in your pocket. A small tape measure would do and all you have to do is open it to about 4ft and double it over. To get the horses attention flick it and the horse will put up both ears and you will get a purfect shot. It worked for me every time. Of course!! the owner of the horse has to be agreeable to you taking a picture.

lizardworks Loc: Western Slope of Colorado

I just had to chuckle, you're post title implies something entirely different than photographs! You know, something like "Grab the rifle, Ol' Blue broke his leg". Sorry, maybe that's only kinda funny to "horsey people" such as myself :?

RLPCEP Loc: Tallahassee FL

Only if she was insecure -- and I'll bet she was.

cancatphoto

Photographing horses can be very rewarding. I have been enjoying the process not only with my horses, but have done some really fun shoots with my friends horses as well.
Those little windmills that small children like to carry will get a nice alert reaction. Just be careful, because the flight reaction can be very high in some horses. I have used carrots to get some very precious shots. When they know you have that carrot, they will really come alive. Even my blase horses. These are just a couple of ideas, that I hope will help anyone wanting to photo horses. Of course lighting, timing and patience plays a big role.

ggiaphotos Loc: Iowa

What a beautiful horse Shasta is, and great photos for a quick 2 pix shot! More time, more photos, and and and and. Given the circumstances, perfect!