Shooting Horses

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gpc1

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Greg
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Ok, So bear with me,

I have an idea for a present for a friend that involves shooting (in the photo sense!) her 2 ponies (they were her rocks when she was diagnosed with cancer which she is now free from). I want to capture them in an arty type way. An example would be some of the shots on here.

http://www.mark-harvey.com/GALLERIES/HORSE_GALLERY/horses.html (no harm in aiming high I suppose!!)

1 set will be of them in the field, playing, chilling etc.
1 set of them in the yard / stables
The other set will be more stylised. Head and neck shots, coat and patterns, eye, mane, legs and hoof details, B&W etc
Current gear is 40D 5d2, 16-35 f2.8 II L, Canon 85 F1.2L, 50mm F1.8. Happy to hire a 24 70 F2.8l II if need be.

I have received some great advice from an equine pro and I have to thank him for that but given that this is his business I don’t want to push my luck.

Anyways, I have been looking at lighting and I have to say that I am a bit bemused.

My initial plan was to purchase a couple of 580 ex IIs (as I can use these in multiple situations), a stand, umbrella, and possibly some cheapo triggers (or the Phottix Odin) and set the exs together on a stand firing through a brolly (or reflecting from the brolly??). I figured a can then put the 580s low, high, in the stable rafters or just get the handler to hold them in various positions. I’m still looking at £500+ for this I suppose.

I then looked at the lencarta stuff which I guess is ‘proper’ flash kits. plus a whole host of stuff on amazon and ebay.

I need to be careful as I don’t want huge brollies etc spooking the ponies (they are pretty chilled anyway) but at the same time need to ensure I have the lighting powerful enough for the job.

The images I am looking at for inspiration seem to have the horse well lit so that the muscles are defined etc and then the light seems either fall off into shadow or there is a black background of some sort.

If anyone could shed some light (pardon the pun) on how they think this is achieved and whether my 580ex II route would work then please let me know. Me being me will probably by the gear anyway and experiment but any pointers and tips would be gratefully received.

Many Thanks
 
Sorry, no harm in aiming high, but those on the link are very high indeed. Wonderful work. Taken by a specialist pro, with loads of equipment and resources, tons of patience, and an enormous amount of knowledge and experience, both of photography and horses.

Also, I've not seen muscle definition like that on any pony, and from what you've said, is that really the kind of image your friend wants? Either way, get some practise in with something less ambitious first, see how it goes and build from there.
 
HoppyUK said:
Sorry, no harm in aiming high, but those on the link are very high indeed. Wonderful work. Taken by a specialist pro, with loads of equipment and resources, tons of patience, and an enormous amount of knowledge and experience, both of photography and horses.

Also, I've not seen muscle definition like that on any pony, and from what you've said, is that really the kind of image your friend wants? Either way, get some practise in with something less ambitious first, see how it goes and build from there.
Click to expand...

I agree with your points, to an extent. What i am doing is, in a way, my practice. Im not expecting results like that, im just trying to explain what i would like to get as close as possible to achieving. I have been around horses all my life, and know how they behave etc. Also, yes, these ponies dont necessarily have muscle.....they are a bit more...'cuddly' lol. But i was just using the link as an example of style and quality. Any tips on the lighting would be useful though.
 
Lots more Sekonic videos with Joe Brady may also help and if you have not seen them, videos with Mark Wallace (Adorama) on all sorts. If you google Pocket Wizard .org, there are videos there but no need to consider the pocket wizards, which are expensive, the principals of the videos should help you. Good luck and lets see some images on TP when you have done the shoot.

Malcolm
PS Add your location to your profile as it may help you make contact with those near you who can help.
 
Nice link images.

Any horsey sorts here who might know why the horses aren't startled by obviously powerful flash?
 
Kris said:
Nice link images.

Any horsey sorts here who might know why the horses aren't startled by obviously powerful flash?
Click to expand...

I think that's an old wive's tale. Horses get spooked by anything if they're in the mood.
 
Kris said:
Nice link images.

Any horsey sorts here who might know why the horses aren't startled by obviously powerful flash?
Click to expand...

Some do, some don't. It's wise to determine which kind you have at an early stage.
 
cheers chaps.

Well, i now have in my mind a very clear outline of what im going to do. Just now need to source the kit and give it a go.

Will post the results once i actually get round to doing it.

I dont think these ponies are startled too easy, in fact, the fastest i have seen them move is when an apple core was dropped about ten feet in front of one of them. Even then i wouldnt exactly say it was rapid!

Thanks again
 
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