Photos don't have to be professional to provide an artist with what they need. With a little trial and error and a lot of patience, anyone can get some good shots of an animal.
Plan your photo shoot for a sunny day when you don't have time constraints. If you're patient and take a lot of pictures during a session, some of them are likely to be very good (that's what the pros do). If possible, do more than one photo session, choosing different times of the day, or even different days.
Lighting is vital. Make sure you have sunlight, but don't use the bright mid-day sun. Have the sun at your back when you shoot so the light will shine on muscles and fill in details instead of blinding the camera. The early morning and late afternoon lighting are best. A bit of shadow gives depth and space, and can help ground an animal to the surface he's standing on, but deep shadows hide muscles, details, and even the general form. If you're up close and your horse doesn't spook, use a fill-in flash if you have one; otherwise you need good sunlight, but not enough to erase all shadows and wash out colours. Be cautious at first, as some horses spook at flashes.
White, or pale grey animals, and black or dark brown ones require special attention. It's hard to photograph a white animal and pick up details because of the glare from sunlight or flash. Make especially sure your light isn't overly bright, and that the surroundings of the horse aren't very dark, especially with fully automatic cameras. Film can't do very light and very dark in the same photo, and if you don't focus very carefully on the horse, you might get nice clear trees and a washed-out horse. For a dark animal, do the opposite; make sure your light is brighter than for other colours, and your background isn't too pale. If your camera is beyond the basic, you can control what it will 'light-meter' off of by having the subject within the brackets on the viewfinder.
Groom and clean your horse to look it's best. As a rule of thumb take photos of horses in summer when their coats are in peak condition. Decide if you want a formal look, or free flowing mane and tale, then dress the animal to suit. For a free-flowing look, watch through the viewfinder until a breeze catches the mane, then click - or even plug a fan in if your horse will allow.
Don't worry about getting a good facial expression at the same time as you get a good mane (or whatever) shot. It's unlikely you will take one perfect photo with exactly what you want in the portrait, but an artist can combine the best elements from several photos. It will be much easier for the artist if you take a number of pictures from the same angle, with the light falling in the same direction.
Take some close-ups of the head and facial features, especially the eyes. Small details give each horse it's own unique qualities and make it come alive on canvas and paper.
Step back and include a fence, horse trailer, or person in some of the photos; this helps the artist determine the size of the horse.
For a look of friendly interaction, have a friend help you. Keep a bag of treats handy for you or the helper to give out. Depending on the horse, he might be more comfortable with his owner as his handler while someone else takes the picture.
If you want to capture your horse looking more "natural" instead of relating to a person, you'll need to blend into the background until he's forgotten you're there, then use a telephoto if possible to snap when you see just the right expression or pose.
A zoom lens is preferable, as it allows you to work at a greater distance from the animal (however this may preclude the use of a flash). If you don't have a zoom, take a few shots as close as you can get without stressing the animal. Take a photo of his eye showing his lashes and the wrinkles surrounding the area. Take a photo of his ears, one of his nose … it sounds funny but how else can a stranger who lives hundreds of miles away, guess what your animal looks like?
The eyes are what make or break a lot of portraits. Don't be afraid to take several photos of your horse's eyes.
If you want your garden or a particular tree as a background, stand your horse there for a few shots if possible to help with size and placement, (and of course mention your desire to the artist).
A portrait of your horse gives you his enduring presence for as long as you live. The artist you choose feels this responsibility and wants to respect and preserve these qualities you love about your equine friend - so when you're providing reference photos, give it your best shot, and the artist will give you theirs.
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* With excerpts from an article by artist Donna Weber. See "Links" on my homepage to view Donna's work.
Wendy E. Stevens (signature name Gamble)
15 Jean St., Saint Basile NB Canada E7C 2K1
+1 506 263 2012 fax +1 506 263 2012
email gambleart@equineartguild.com