Some advice needed please

[LynnDA]

I'm going to be taking some photos of horses next week and would really appreciate some tips and advice on the best way to do it. I am new to this so I'm still using the auto modes and I don't have a tripod so the camera will be handheld. The horses are riderless and just going to be strutting their stuff in the field.

[SusanH1970]

Not much different than photographing people. Try to avoid shooting in harsh full sun or dappled light - very early morning or late afternoon is the best time. If it's overcast any time of day is fine (it's like a big softbox in the sky).

Get full body shots as well as shots of their heads, etc. See if you can catch them interacting. Watch your backgrounds (no trees growing out of their heads, ugly backgrounds, etc.). Don't chop off feet or crop at joints. Use the environment for framing your shots.

That's all I can think of for now - good luck and be sure and post some of your shots!

[candidrachel]

Hi! Funny you should post this question as I was just flicking through my Tom Ang's book called How to Photograph Absolutely Everything when I was reading the chapter on Horses!

Here is what he suggests:

1) Set your camera to Sport Mode
2) Lens setting Normal
3) ISO low (ie 100)
4) Force the flash off

a) Try different compositions
b) Don't use wide angle setting while taking photo of horses face or you'll get the head looking unusually large. Profile shot of head is good.
c) Offer horse a treat!
d) Try different viewpoints.

[SusanH1970]

Originally Posted by candidrachel

1) Set your camera to Sport Mode

That I'd disagree with unless they were galloping at full-speed.

[candidrachel]

Yeah I know I was wondering that too but that's want T.A. suggests The photos of horses he has in the book are just grazing in a field.

[LynnDA]

Thanks for all the advice. I'll try and remember it all and i'll post the shots good or bad