Equine portrait - 'Missy'

[tirediron]

A test session - I'm not fully happy with these yet, but I'd appreciate any thoughts or suggestions for improvements. Missy was also a little apprehensive, and didn't like the light stand over her head, but she was still easier to work with than most models!

 

[Rick50]

I really like the soft lighting. #1 is outstanding and I couldn't improve it. #2 I think needs just a tad more light.
And my Model doesn't complain at all.

 

[Raj_55555]

Ok, take my opinion for what it's worth as I know I don't really have the creds to judge your work, but being a horse person I would not really be happy with these shots if these were mine (if it's a client work).
Horses have a lot of character, it's so great when that reflects in a photograph. In these pictures all I see is the head of a horse (I know, test shots) and I don't like the lighting it's too dark for me. I don't know anything about lighting as well, but I'd prefer it if I could easily see muzzle and the ears a bit more easily. It would also improve the shot manifolds if the mane of the horse was visible.

This is not my opinion as a photographer, but as a person who's crazy about horses and everything associated to them.

 

[Dagwood56]

I agree with Raj, I don't mind it just being the head of the horse, but they are too dark to fully appreciate the horse's character. When I shot horses, way back when I did pet portraits, I always opted for natural lighting so the horse was at ease with just me an my camera\tripod.

 

[Braineack]

seema bit underexposed to me.

 

[runnah]

Way too dark. Missing the Highlight/lowlight sculpted look.

 

[astroNikon]

Yup, I would have liked to see the head and mane a bit in a brighter exposure. I used to (and probably still do) underexpose alot and someone nudged me to have brighter pics Which I do now and like alot better.

I know it might be impossible, but a head/mane light I think would help alot.

 

[Braineack]

mane light. ba dum...

 

[sashbar]

Such a low key shot is very tricky in my opinion. B&W would be easier.

 

[tirediron]

Hmmm... somethin' fishy going on in monitor calibration land... these looked fine (read: How I wanted them to) on my editing machine, but on this monitor they are as everyone has pointed out, wayyyyyy too dark. Thanks... I'll have another stab at these in a bit.

 

[tirediron]

mane light. ba dum...

Ouch!

 

[tirediron]

...I don't really have the creds to judge your work, but ...

You've got the same creds to judge my work as I do yours! Thank-you!

 

[tirediron]

I agree with Raj, I don't mind it just being the head of the horse, but they are too dark to fully appreciate the horse's character. When I shot horses, way back when I did pet portraits, I always opted for natural lighting so the horse was at ease with just me an my camera\tripod.

I understand your point, but with these I'm going for a specific look, sort of an equine headshot. I was told that Missy was as calm as could be and would stand exactly where I put her for as long as I wanted her... apparently not to much!

 

[oldhippy]

Sounds like your monitor is a tad too light. Had to tone mine down. Great shots. Ed

 

[Didereaux]

I am an old farm/ranch boy, been around horses most of my life, and thoroughly appreciate their beuty...even the knot-headed ones. Your #1 one shot I would gladly hang in the living room. Perhaps just a smidgeon, and only a smidgeon more of ambient. But that is a minoe point. This 'look' of a horse is far to often not represented, and you are doing a good job with it. I honestly like that pic.