Horse Photography - Capture the Canter

Catching the canter is quite simple. I find there is only one type of canter shot that really works for most horses. This is when the outside limbs are on the ground & the inside hind leg has just hit the ground reaching forward under the horses body. For a lengthened canter or hand gallop you may want to time your shot a little later and for a slow lope like you would find in a Western Pleasure class you will want to shoot much later & time on the leading fore leg rather than the back end.

To get that Canter photograph I time my shot on the outside hind leg. Watch the outside hind leg leave the ground, come up underneath the horse and shoot the second that leg hits the ground. Remember that there are human & camera reaction times to take into account when photographing a fast moving object and this is why you will need to hit that button a few moments before the horse is in the position you are looking to capture.

This type of canter shot is perfect for the ridden canter. When photographing a horse cantering at liberty you can break this rule as much as you like. I have sold many liberty shots of cantering horses that are completely the opposite of how I photograph the ridden canter.

Practice makes perfect!
Susie.

How to Save For Web in Photoshop

Open the image you want to upload to your site or blog in Photoshop.
Click on 'Image', scroll down to 'Image Size' & select.


Adjust the image width to between 300 & 500 pixels. Make sure the 'constrain proportions' check box is ticked. Click OK.



Your image will reduce in size.
If you want to put a watermark on your image select the 'type tool', click it on your image and enter your text. The keyboard shortcut for the © symbol is Alt 0 1 6 9. To move your text use the 'move tool'.


Change the opacity level untill you are happy with your watermark. Mine is set at 60% here.


Now click on 'File', then 'save for web'.


The 'save for web' box will open with your image in it. Select 'Jpeg', 'High', set your quality to 69, and check the 'optimised' box. Click OK, then select the folder you want the image to be saved to.


Your done! Now start uploading.

Bright - a new kind of hospitality

Last weekend I was invited to photograph the Alpine Riding Club’s Dressage and Showjumping Combined Training Day. The weather was challenging to say the least. It rained nearly all day and I was saturated and freezing cold by the time it came to go home. It was testament to the dedication and competitiveness of the Alpine riders who showed up to ride their horses in such treacherous conditions. I found myself intermittently giggling at what seemed to be utter stupidity on my part; running around in the rain with expensive camera equipment as I proceeded to get absolutely drenched. ARC’s brand new sand arenas held up fantastically to the amount of water that had been dumped on them that day, and the preceding couple of days too. Overall it was an incredibly inspiring day and the the beautiful, quality horses competing there made my job as photographer a much easier one.

Victoria has all ways been a huge favourite of mine especially when it comes to photographing horse events there. The People in Vic have always been so jovial and welcoming to me every-time I step foot in one of their arenas. Last weekend however took the friendly Victorian spirit to a whole new level. Not only did I get the usual amicable hospitality that is generally the norm at Vic shows, I also got a kiss on the cheek! And I must ashamedly admit that I quite liked it. So, for my next Vic Horse Event, I’ll be aiming for two kisses to make me feel super special!

Congratulations to all the winners, riders, and the ARC for putting on such a brilliant event and making it work so well despite the precipitation.

Here’s to Drier Dressage!

Susie.