How Do You Take Good Pictures Of A Horse?
Horse photography is something that a skilled person makes look easy!
Most horse owners aspire, at some point, to taking ‘that’ perfect photo of our horse. One that captures the essence of the horse itself and shows it off in its best light.
The reality though is that all too often the horse ends up looking all out of proportion…like the worse conformed horse ever bred with a massive head and huge ears!
Sound familiar?
Don’t despair however because the good news is that taking good pictures of a horse is possible (professional horse photographers do it all the time!) but there are a few tricks of the trade.
We’ll share a few of them with you in this article.
The Many And Varied Types Of Horse Photography
Horse photography serves many purposes, and comes in many formats and styles.
The type of photo you want to take will therefore determine how much time you take setting everything up.
If it’s a just a ‘capture the moment’ happy snap, you’ll need to whip your phone out, take the photo, and worry about all the other details later (that’s what photo editing software is for!).
Posed photos on the other hand, like those of stallions in stud ads or horses in for sale ads, need to show off the conformation of the horse so are usually taken side on in ideal ‘photo taking’ conditions.
The horse typically stands square against an attractive background. (Standing ‘square’ refers to having all 4 legs correctly positioned, and weight bearing, underneath the horse.)
If that’s the type of photo you aim to take, read on because you’ll need to master all our photo-taking tips below.
Show photos are another popular type of horse picture.
Taken by photographers who specialise in attending horse shows, owners then have the opportunity to buy the photos from the photographer.
These photos may be of the horse working out in its class, standing with its ribbons on, or doing something ‘interesting’ on the sidelines.
‘Happy snap’ home photos are the ones taken by owners themselves when the horse does something interesting or ‘cute’, like playing in its paddock, or interacting with someone or something.
Mobile phones are perfect for these types of photos, and as an added bonus have editing software so we can add special effects on the go. And then post the masterpiece on social media…
Top Tips For Taking Good Pictures Of A Horse
Several factors must be factored into the equation when it comes to horse photography, other than happy snaps of course.
Here are some general rule of thumb tips, regardless of what type of photo you’re taking.
Avoid taking them when the sun is directly overhead.
The light shining down on top of the horse produces an over-exposed washed out look over the top of the horse whilst the bottom half is dark and shadowed.
Don’t take photos looking directly into the sun either unless you want the horse to look like a dark shape against a hazy halo of bright light.
The best place for the sun when taking good pictures of a horse is behind you so it lights up the side of the horse you’re photographing.
These photos illustrate the importance of lighting. The top photos are of the same horse as a foal and as an adult.
Although both are ‘happy’ snaps, imagine how much better the adult one would have been had the light been the same as the foal photo (or like it is for the horse in the bottom photo).
Further to this, other quick tips include…
Watch the background
ESPECIALLY if you want to post the photo on social media! People WILL comment about (and criticise) things like piles of rubbish, bad fencing, and dangerous looking structures in horse photo.
Edit all these types of things out if you can before posting, but better still – try and avoid that type of background in the first place.
Cluttered, loud, and unsightly backgrounds also detract from the horse itself, and can ruin an otherwise great photo.
Stand as far away from the horse as possible without losing focus. In fact, standing too close to the horse is a common mistake and it almost always distorts the horse, leaving you with a photo full of body or head, like this:
However, when you stand far enough away, the camera can focus evenly on the entire horse.
If you have a zoom lens, it can make for even better photos.
Lighting
Lighting can make or break your photo. Get it wrong and it will ruin even the most otherwise perfect photo! Shadows and light in the wrong place for example can alter the appearance of conformation and colour.
Some colours in horses also look better photographed in certain types of light – palominos and buckskins for example look their best when photographed in good natural light with enough sun to highlight the golden hues in their coat.
Optimal lighting conditions on the other hand will bring out the best in your horse subject. Utilising natural light, especially during the so-called ‘golden hour’ (early in the morning or late in the afternoon), can significantly improve the overall quality and visual appeal of your horse images.
The lighting at these times of the day produces soft, warm tones and gentle shadows that can add depth, dimension, and an attractive ambiance to your photographs
Also, utilising natural light lets you better showcase the horse’s characteristics, coat colour, and even facial expressions with better clarity and detail.
Composition
Pay attention to the composition of your photo shot, particularly the background. We mentioned one good reason for this above.
Frame the horse in an aesthetically pleasing way, making sure it is centrally positioned in the photo. Be aware of other elements around the horse such as the foreground, other horses, or any other objects or people.
If you’re taking a photo of a horse through a fence for example, the fencing will show up in front of the horse and need to be edited out. Fortunately, these days you can do this easily enough even with basic photo editing software but save yourself some work and think about it when you take the photo.
Consider The Surroundings
When photographing horses, take into account the surroundings and the overall scenery. Look for interesting backgrounds, such as nice open paddocks or colourful landscapes that complement the horse and add visual interest to the photo. These will all help take good pictures of a horse.
Focus On The Horse
Make sure the horse is the focus of the image. If you use a wide aperture (smaller f-number) to create a shallow depth of field, it will blur the background and allow the horse to stand to be the focus of the photo. You can also achieve the same result with photo editing software…
Capture The Horse’s Character
Try to capture the horse’s personality and unique characteristics in your photos. Photograph them doing different activities, such as grazing, running, or interacting with other horses. If taking posed photographs, use props to get the horse’s attention so it looks alert with pricked ears and interested expression.
Get Down To The Horse’s Eye Level
For more dynamic and engaging shots, try getting down to the horse’s eye level. This perspective can create a more intimate connection with the viewer and showcase the horse’s perspective.
Use Burst Or Continuous Shooting Mode
Using continuous mode lets you take photos of moving horses without them coming out all blurred. This is an excellent way to take that perfect action shot.
Be Patient
Horses can be unpredictable, so be patient and observant if you want to take really good pictures of a horse. Watch for interesting moments, expressions, or movements that can make your photos more captivating.
Key Takeaways When It Comes To Horse Photography
When it comes to horse photography, there are several key takeaways to keep in mind.
Firstly, understanding the horse’s behaviour and body language can help you capture their natural beauty and grace. Choosing the right location and lighting is essential, as it can enhance both the horse and help create a mood for the photo.
Finally, some of the best horse photos are those taken by someone who has built a connection with the horse and gained its trust because when a horse trusts you, its natural personality can shine through.
