black horse photography - need some tips

[ELAcrisi]

Hi all

I'm pretty good in horse photography but have no routine in black horse photography. The problem with black horses is that if you don't do correctly the horses are gray or brown instead of black, just silhouettes, no details, no muscles, just a black or gray silhouette. For that I would like to ask you:

when is best time to take pics
what is best background
where has the sun to come from
what kind of aperture are you using (normally I work with AF in the sport modus as I do mostly wild living horses)
will it need some oil or show sheen to make the muscles more visible
something other I have to think about?

each tip is very appreciated
thank you
Christina

[kirbinster]

Either dial in some positive exposure compensation or better yet spot meter on the horse.

[inkista]

I have this problem with ravens when I'm shooting birds. I'd say try and get the light source behind you, and to the side if you can. Avoid backlighting at all costs, or you'll get the silhouette deal. Specular (reflected) highlights are your friend when it comes to showing detail:



Otherwise, it's...



So, if you can, I'd recommend making sure the horse has been well brushed so there's some shine to the coat.

[autofocus]

Originally Posted by ELAcrisi

Hi all

I'm pretty good in horse photography but have no routine in black horse photography. The problem with black horses is that if you don't do correctly the horses are gray or brown instead of black, just silhouettes, no details, no muscles, just a black or gray silhouette. For that I would like to ask you:

when is best time to take pics
what is best background
where has the sun to come from
what kind of aperture are you using (normally I work with AF in the sport modus as I do mostly wild living horses)
will it need some oil or show sheen to make the muscles more visible
something other I have to think about?

each tip is very appreciated
thank you
Christina

Tight shots of black subjects work best if you under expose by a stop or two. And like the opposite situation while shooting snow or at beach, you'd want to over expose
Vince

[trhodes1]

What autofocus and Inkista said - under expose to correct for your camera trying to meter for "average" scenes. Lighting on raven #1 looks great...I would guess low and sun is 90 degrees to bird and camera. Morning/evening light would be good...high noon- not so much.

In post processing you might try adding an overlay layer and burning in details on dark object.

[ELAcrisi]

Thank you that helps a lot and the raven pics just shows my problem.

When I use manual for taking pictures with exposure correction would it be enough with 1/500 to get sharp pictures also when fast moving like gallop? (or in your case flying ravens)

I was wondering that with that dark, brown background the raven is so separated from the background (sorry for my english, I don't know the correct name in english I just can describe it).
Would it be possible to give me the camera dates of these 2 pics - when working manual I have to learn more about the details than always just using sport mode as I did in the past.

Great side here to learn a lot
thank you so much
Christina

[amitseo]

Filmless photography using a digital imaging camera. Digital photography eliminates many of the steps and costs of traditional photography.

[trhodes1]

You might try experimenting with Aperture Priority mode...use "wide" aperture (small f/ number). That will allow your camera to select a fast shutter speed. Depending on your camera and lens capability that should/may freeze action for your shot.

The separartion that Inkista got was also the result of using an wide aperture...the small f/ number. The background is nicely blurred because of the narrow depth of field.

[Glayva]

No problem if you use an exposure meter and take an incident reading, ie point the meter towards your camera position so that you are measuring the light falling on to you subject. It rarely fails. Best of luck - look forward to seeing the results.

[ELAcrisi]

Thank you. Will try out all your advices. For the moment I just can train with my 2 darkbrown horses and I will just get the feeling where I have to stay, when and with which camera mode. They ar outside and have a very fuzzy coat - no muscles to see for the next monthes anyway.

But this friend of mine is living in Slowenia and has some beautiful blacks and I offered him to take pictures when I'm visiting next summer.

I give here a pic I took on solistic day - but these are all greys in a snowfall - and with this kind of colour I'm way much more used but it's time to educate more. It's also my Christmas card.
So I thank you again and wish you a Merry Christmas.
Christina