Horses - C&C Welcome

dreamer_ire

I spent a few hours on Monday photographing a friend's horses, my first time. It was a hot day so they were fairly quiet and not up for a lot of frolicking. I was quite scared of horses before... much less so now . I plan on going back and would love to get some better shots for my friend so C&C very welcome - both on how I could have done better and what types of pics I should be looking for in the future.

Thanks

Fenster

Those are beautiful horses, but there isn't any sense of connection between me and the subject.

WillyWonka

I like #3 the best, something going on. I also like the cropping of the first one, it should be a pretty ordinary photo but the cropping makes it much nicer.

kumate_champ07

make sure they are doing something or the scenery and horses make an interesting match. and dont be afraid to get down on the ground

heres one from last week (shot on neopan 400)

i usually find a field with horses and just walk up to them and get to know them quickly. its always traveller horses and ponies for me tho, my brother has show-jumping horses but i havent shot them yet.
no sudden movements or noises, never walk behind them, dont rush over to a foal too quickly. the mare stamped her feet(letting me know whos boss) a few times but she didnt mind after and the foal kept coming towards me but i had to keep backing away because i had an 85mm prime and the framing was wrong.

get comfortable with them and gain their trust, then use your camera. ive only had 1 encounter with the travellers a few years ago with 2 mares and 2 young foals less than a month old. they must have known me, they waved then drove away, i was freakin out a little but trying not to show it while i walked to the fence!

dreamer_ire

Thanks for your comments folks. Kumate, I'll try again over the coming weeks and hopefully have the confidence to lie on the ground like your shot (which is lovely btw).

kumate_champ07

dreamer_ire wrote: »

Thanks for your comments folks. Kumate, I'll try again over the coming weeks and hopefully have the confidence to lie on the ground like your shot (which is lovely btw).

cool, it will prob be safe enough with a couple of horses that are tame/trained. just get comfortable standing first and then slowly get flat on the ground when you have the right shot. do it at a safe distance from the animal, they will usually come closer to you to see what you are doing so make sure you have the right lens focal length available. its messy when u have to move backwards on the ground.