I am glad everyone found those comical. It was quite a morning!
For me, there the MOST important part of getting “the” photo is the handler at the end of the shank. Granted we deal with young horses more so than the sport horse world, which leads to many outtakes like those above :lol:. A good hand on the shank makes ALL the difference.
I have always found it is best to set up from a forward marching walk versus shimmying a horse back and forth. I always have them “go for a walk” if we can’t get the positioning we need. (and by that I mean a REAL walk, not just dragging behind on the shank) Getting control back of the feet always helps.
I personally prefer to do these photos on sunny clear days. If you stand them up appropriately, the shadows do not have that much of an impact and you are left with an overall more appealing photo.
Something not emphasized much above is the importance of the background.You want a clean, calm, attractive background free of any clutter that may draw your attention one way versus another. I personally do not like photoshopped backgrounds, including the current fad of black backgrounds. I know not every facility is fortunate enough to have a well footed flat area with a clean background that also works with the sun. But it is SO important for the end result. Even having and uneven ground line somewhere in the background can throw the eye off and make the horse look downhill.
As stated above, its MUST be on a hard, flat surface. Sand/gravel makes small adjustments standing a horse up difficult as it can tweak limb angles and leave a wonky looking photo. I also tend to find photos taken in grass where it covers the feet to leave the impression you are trying to hide something.
When it comes to standing the horse up, I prefer photos to be taken on the left side. With left legs perpendicular to the ground and right legs slightly offset inside. I like a more natural headset versus a dramatic stretch. Depending on the facial markings and shape of the head I like them horses to be at attention looking straight ahead or slightly to the left. I think its an industry thing to have some of the sport horses stood up a little too far “open” in their legs. I think a hip stood too far open can appear weak and straight. The photographer should be square on with the girth area. I’ve found that to result in the most balanced photo.
Of course it goes without saying that the horse has to be spotless clean and shiny with a well conditioned bridle or halter on and either a tamed mane slicked down in place or braids.
With all of that said, there are lots of tricks to help hide conformation flaws. Neck ties in too low? Stand their front end a little further out in front of them. Built slightly downhill? Try to angle them on the driveway so the ground line is working in your favor.
And most of all … Try not to smash your camera down in frustration!
