Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1952-05-18

cvrofer Of Photography
The Smithsonian institution

The SmifhSenion institution
About o year ago We did Q
column on horse show photog-
taphy. In response to q good many
requests which followed pubhca-
ton OF this article. We are again
taking up the subject Of equine
eamera craft-this time with the
emphasis placed on the more
technical aspects Of how to take
good pictures Of horses. l
We can compare methods Of
taking pictures of horses with
those employed when photograph
ing humans and. in the analysis,
lind little difference. We find two
general classes: Portraiture and
action shots. The same rules apply
In both cases. In making portraits
Df either humans or animals. we
should try to emphasize the better
points or features and play down
those not so attractive. In action
photography. our idea is to stop
he action and produce . story
telling picture.
Lighting, camera angle or posi-
lion, background. and compost
lion in general should receive your
sareful attention before shooting
/ picture of the horse. Animals
have their good points, as do
people, and you should look for
Them and bring them out in your
pictures. Whenever possible, shoot
!rom a low camera position. This
will present the most rounded
rev Of the body and will make
The horse appear taller and more
graceful.
Perspective In Head Shots.
When going after q closeup Of
he animals head, perspective be-
sins to play an important role in
he proceedings. The long, mar
low head of the horse. will be dis
Orted in closeups II the normal
Damera lens or one Of short focal
ength is used. This Is the cause
" the mulish look that we see in
many pictures Of the heads Of
horses. II, like some photograph
hrs. you insist on q final compost
ion on the negative with the head
Hing the entire film area, you
must use long focal length lens
b prevent this distortion. Many
Who do not own a supplementary
ems can still have our closeup by
lacking up with the camera. This
will result in a smaller image, of
course, but we can always enlarge
md still get a closeup portrait
lead shot.
Give the same consideration to
he horses coat that you do to the
kin Of q person when taking your
ActureS. Good skin texture Is a
Audable point in human portrait
lure and q photo that pionts up |,
he shiny texture Of the animals
oat Is just as important. Good
lighting and good exposure are the
EeyS to success in this respect.
Don't shoot your pictures when
he sun Is high overhead. Wait
Until you can get a side lighting
Vhen aiming for good texture
endition. A picture made while
he sun is at about a 45-degree
!ngle between camera position
ind subject is ideal. Flash can
ften be used to highlight the eyes
or q more 1ifelike expression.
bnly blue flash should be used
then color film Is in the camera.
Proper Backgrounds.
Be sure to select a proper back
round for your posed shots. This
kn't always possible when taking
Iction pictures but there is no ex-
Mse for q posed picture that
hows the animal blending in with
he background. A white or gray
lorse posed against the sky will
merge with the sky unless you
AXE the proper precaution of
ldding a yellow. orange or red
liter over the lens. Use of the
liter will provide a sharp con-
rast, outlining the horse against
he sky. In the case of darker
tnimals the filters should be
united, as they darken the sky.
Psychology is also an important
actor in horse photography. Your
approach should be similar to that
thich you use when photograph
ng . child. Most horses are gentle
md tractable beasts when treated
nth consideration. Garry along a |