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Business
Practice
Think
Before You Shoot!
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As
a breeder and photographer of my own and others' horses, I have
found the following to be important factors to keep in mind -
1)
Identify the purpose of images:
The very first thing needing attention, prior to beginning any
task is to identify your goals and objectives. That is, what are
you trying to accomplish by taking these photos? You need to consider
the use of the photo: is it for magazine advertising, just for
showing a prospective buyer, sending to your relatives, or for
hanging in your house? Obviously, advertising should make you
more serious about the quality, however, some of the photos I
see in the magazines and on the internet, really make me wonder
if people even think about the quality.
2)
Study images:
Find some photos in magazines you like of the breed you are photographing
and this will give you some ideals to work toward. Keep in mind
there is a major difference in the presentation and preparation
for a session of halter type shots of your stallion or sale horses
than if you want candid and casual mare and foal or pasture type
photos.
3)
Know your subject:
Think about the specific characteristics of your horse that you
wish to emphasize, and which ones do you want to minimize? Here
is where different breeds enter into the question. Some want to
see muscle, others movement, or grace, while still others desire
a look of “freedom”. A soft eye is always appreciated,
as are straight legs. Make sure you know what you want to portray
in your pictures.
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4) Know your equipment and photography techniques:
How do you want to illustrate movement? You can use a slow shutter
speed and get some blurring, or you can stop all the action but
take it at just the right spot to show what you wish. Do you want
a blurred background to accentuate the subject? Don't be surprised
when you get shots back from the lab.....know what you are doing
at the time of the shoot.
5)
Take multiple frames:
To ensure the best chance of a good photo, always remember to
take many, not just a few frames. Many prospective clients tell
me: “You don’t need to take more than 4 or 5 exposures,
because I only need ONE good one”. I hope to get one really
outstanding image per roll of film, and if I attempt several poses,
that will take several rolls of film.
6)
Enlist Help
And plenty of it! Besides the need to have a meticulously clean
and prepared subject, an experienced handler or assistant can
make the difference between getting a shot and getting THE shot!
Without even taking into account the variables regarding the horse
and their beauty and training, it should be obvious that photographing
horses is not as easy as some may think. Just figure your chances
of getting the right picture if just one of these elements is
not properly accounted or prepared for. It also pays to consult
with the client before the shoot to determine their expectations
and to be prepared to shoot what they want for good sales.
Ken Gibbs
“Equine
Photography by Ken Gibbs”
www.ranch4g.com
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Inspirational
Moments . . .
Photography,
as a powerful medium of expression and communications, offers
an infinite variety of perception, interpretation and execution.
Ansel
Adams
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Spotlight:
Behind the Camera
Wendi Ross
“Have
Camera…
Will travel…”
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© 2001 Wendi Ross
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My
name is Wendi Ross and I operate Blue Ribbon Photography
in Kalama, Washington.
My
folks bought me my first pony for my fourth birthday and
I have had ponies ever since as well as a variety of larger
equines. I have competed in almost every discipline throughout
my 40 years. My teenage girls, Ashley and Kayla have an
Arab gelding and are both active 4-H participants. My seventeen
year old son, Zachary, prefers ‘horses under the hood’
rather then the four legged variety! We also own a Pinto
pony stallion and his three-year-old filly.
Taking
courses at Oregon’s College of Art and Craft in Beaverton
brought skills and confidence to my passion for capturing
images. Farm calls and the CDEs are amongst my favorite
jobs. Since I use a 400mm lens, my work is refreshingly
candid. Usually people don’t even know they are being
photographed. I prefer capturing the really intimate, natural
photographs instead of the stiff, posed shots. My work also
tends to be more artistic and the standard show ring shots
are not as satisfying to my artist’s heart.
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I
never thought I would find a passion that I would place
above showing my horses, but my passion for horse photography
seems to have surpassed my love for competition. (Although
I do leave every competition I attend thinking about competing
there next year!) The best weekend of the summer was a CDE
(Combined Driving Event) where I was able to bring my pony
along and use the facilities after my day was done. I feel
very fortunate to have been able to combine my two passions
into one great job.
My
work is not without some frustration however. I wish clients
understood the reasoning behind pricing quality photos and
that more understood copyright laws in regards to photography
and usage. Many don’t have a clue that just because
they have purchased a photo from a photographer, doesn’t
mean they have purchased the rights to reproduce it. I view
my work as a piece of art, if you owned a Picasso it’s
well understood that you can’t make copies of that!
I suppose in this digital age, where copying is so easy
for individuals, that part of every photographer’s
job will be to educate clients on their policies. Frustrating
to me, especially, as this takes away from my creation time.
The passion to create beautiful equine photographs, be they
stunning portraits or exciting action shots is driving me
like it has never before and my plan has me jumping into
the 2002 season with both feet and all of my cameras! Wish
me luck!
Wendi Ross-Blue Ribbon Photography: http://www.geocities.com/qualityponies/equinestartpage.html
qualityponies@yahoo.com
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Tip . . .
When
selling photos it is imperative to put your contact information
on the back of each photo. If you don't, people will not
be able to find you if they want to order more prints or
to get your permission to use your photo in an ad. The backs
of my photos all have a sticker with the proof number, my
name and address, phone, email, website and copyright statement.
I have received orders from people that have only a photo
that are many years old..the paperwork gets lost, the horse
has been sold, and the photo has changed hands..all they
need to do is turn the photo over for my contact information.
Carien
Schippers
www.ImagEquine.com
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©
Carien Schippers |
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»This
Just In...«
Starting with the December issues, the EPNet News
will be changing our format to publish on the 15th of the month
and will be adding additional features on marketing, legal issues
and digital photography. Due to the numbers of subscribers, we are
also in process of changing our newsletter subscriber base to Topica.
Your name will remain private and you will receive one notice per
issue as usual. If you are already a subscriber, you will be sent
a welcome notice to join. You may also join by sending an email
to
EPNetNews-subscribe@topica.com.
Thank you, Rebecca Baucus Editor, EPNet News
"The
Old Way" has been awarded People's Choice at the Longview/Kelso
Parks and Recreation/Monticello Camera Club Annual Photo Show!
© Wendi Ross
This is my image of "The Old Way", an image of 2 Percherons at work.
©
Wendi Ross
"Three
Fjords" was also awarded 1st place in the animals division
at the same show. Lets hear it for horse images!!
Wendi
Ross-Blue Ribbon Photography-Kalama, WA
http://www.geocities.com/qualityponies/equinestartpage.html
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The
mission of EPNet News is to inspire, educate and reinforce
the importance of integrity and professionalism in business practice.
As
a publication of the Equine Photographers' Network, the EPNet
News does not guarantee the accuracy, adequacy or completeness
of any information presented. One Horse Productions, the staff
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© 2001 Equine Photographers' Network, All Rights Reserved
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