Picture This Foal in Three Years

Picture This - By Ruth Lake

When I was asked to write an article about Photography, it was like someone wanting to know about Art…where to start.
The easiest way is to pick something recent that would be useful as there are a wealth of “how to” for basic photo shooting everywhere.
When my friend Cindy Smith’s beautiful filly “ The Lovely” hit the ground this spring, I decided to do a case study of the old timer’s” 3 weeks, 3months, 3 years” rule for taking pictures of babies to get the best view of the adult horse.
Anyone who has raised a foal knows the terrible gawky stages they go through when you, “hide them behind the barn”, you know what I mean: butt high, narrow as a board, out of proportion, ugh! But you know there is a champion underneath it all.
As a Professional Photographer, I often am asked to be the Photographer at Breed Inspections. This is a challenging time for photos. I move around and around searching for a good angle, trying not get trampled by nervous horses, or get in the Inspectors way. A word to breeders hoping for great photos at Inspections, please tell your handler that you are hoping for some good photos. It might help them be aware where they are standing is important to you as an owner. Sometimes posed shots outside the ring are the best insurance that you get the shot you want, as babies are too excited in the ring.(2nd top photo is such a moments)
The timetable – 3, 3, 3,
It you must take pictures of you foals for ads or sale listings, try to keep tabs on them at the 3 week, 3 month intervals, to see how balanced they are.
The Lovely was pretty balanced at Three weeks, even so, I tried to avoid angles that would make her look unbalanced taking shots at ¾ angles and shooting from a low position. When they are very young, get down at their level to get the best view. This holds true with anything young, people or animal.
I prefer to shoot young horses in freedom as unless a lot of time has been spent teaching them to stand properly, they will find better balance when loose.
Try to position yourself so you are always shooting them as they approach you going uphill, babies need all the uphill they can get, and be mindful of how the shadows are falling
Also, and this is a biggy, be watchful for what is in the background. There is usually a small patch of territory where sheds, fences, feed & water tubs are at a minimum, look for them. It is much easier to use a well composed photo then spent hours on the computer to Photoshop it out.
PS. I shoot a lot of photos as when I get back to my studio and see them big on the computer, I often find an ear or facial expression not quite right, and yes horses do close their eyes in photos.

At Three Months, The Lovely was again beautiful and in proportion. She was in the process of shedding out which was my only complaint as a photographer but her lines were balanced. She also galloped a lot which is hard when you are trying for the great conformation shot or the wonderful trot. The best shots you have to wait for, and never take the camera from your eye as those moments happen in a heartbeat. If you’re watching it, you’ve missed it.

I hope this has been helpful; it will be quite a while before I get those 3 year comparison photos, but with The Lovely I’m sure she will be “lovely”.
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Offer ends Nov. 09,2008

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707-849-4732
Ruth Lake