Fine Art Photography

theraven · Jul 2, 2013

Is what I am aiming for with these Equestrian shots, something a little bit different. I am really liking the style that I am getting into here and there is a serious niche in the market for Equine photography like this in and around the area that I'm in.

Do you think it is fine art? Is there anything you guys think I could to to improve?

Lighting is a single Flash off camera, widening the aperture until it throws the background out a little.

All hints, tips and criticism happily received!

Zip by Raven Photography by Jenna Goodwin, on Flickr

gsgary · Jul 2, 2013

You dont want the bridle in the shot take a look at Tim Flach and you will see fine art horse shots

ShooterJ · Jul 2, 2013

Very nice.. I like the way you use light in these equine shots. Beautiful horse and captured nicely.

theraven · Jul 2, 2013

Gary I completely agree, but the client on this one wanted the leather head collar and the rug as he was prepared for a show. I will be working more in the field and the school loose.

amolitor · Jul 2, 2013

I don't see what the problem is with the halter (that's not a bridle, is it?). I think it's a nice accessory, gives a little visual interest.

My reaction to this is that the lens is too wide or too close, so the proportions are unflattering - horses have big noses, but not THAT big. My second reaction is that it's a bit dim. I think the exposure is actually OK, there's some highlights in there that are in the right spot, but somehow it feels dark. If that's what you're going for, great! There is a long tradition of portraiture in which the sitter is surrounded by translucent gloom, which is precisely what you have here. If you want a lighter feel, you might need a softbox or similar, to give you a "bigger" light.

The red rim around the horse's eye also strikes me as a bit unflattering, but it's possible that's just what the horse looks like.

The one thing I will specifically suggest if you like this look is to place some lighter objects into that gloomy background. Small spots of lighter material, ideally that have similar shapes or hues to things we see in the lit areas. Perhaps a light object that's roughly round, slightly but not obviously reminiscent of the eye we're seeing, or something that looks a little bit like one of the brass fittings on the halter. If you look at classical portraiture, you'll find things in the darkness, which echo the shapes or tones or colors of the things in the light. There are pretty good reasons for doing that.

theraven · Jul 2, 2013

amolitor said:
I don't see what the problem is with the halter (that's not a bridle, is it?). I think it's a nice accessory, gives a little visual interest.

My reaction to this is that the lens is too wide or too close, so the proportions are unflattering - horses have big noses, but not THAT big. My second reaction is that it's a bit dim. I think the exposure is actually OK, there's some highlights in there that are in the right spot, but somehow it feels dark. If that's what you're going for, great! There is a long tradition of portraiture in which the sitter is surrounded by translucent gloom, which is precisely what you have here. If you want a lighter feel, you might need a softbox or similar, to give you a "bigger" light.

The red rim around the horse's eye also strikes me as a bit unflattering, but it's possible that's just what the horse looks like.

The one thing I will specifically suggest if you like this look is to place some lighter objects into that gloomy background. Small spots of lighter material, ideally that have similar shapes or hues to things we see in the lit areas. Perhaps a light object that's roughly round, slightly but not obviously reminiscent of the eye we're seeing, or something that looks a little bit like one of the brass fittings on the halter. If you look at classical portraiture, you'll find things in the darkness, which echo the shapes or tones or colors of the things in the light. There are pretty good reasons for doing that.

Yes I see what you mean, the background is a difficult thing with horses, because unless you take them off the yard that they are situated on, there is limited props/backgrounds to work with!

The lens was on the wider end, will try more towards the 35-50mm lenses next time.

In regards to the darker side, yes that is what I'm going for, equine portraits are usually very well lit outside and kind of light and fluffy!

amolitor · Jul 2, 2013

Rembrandt is the obvious fellow to cite, here. images.google.com, and just type in Rembrandt.

He liked hats, he liked a single pool of lightness with the face in it and then, often positioned diagonally opposite across the frame, a less dominant light area (the sitter's hands, a book, something of that sort). He liked to put dark hats on people to make the pool of light that is their face all the more bright and dramatic.

In your case, you could simply tack things to the wall behind, and let them be thrown into ambiguity by the shallow depth of field. A bit of harness, a saddle in pale leather, something like that.

theraven · Jul 2, 2013

I like your way of thinking, I am popping up to do a couple more tonight so will have a look what I can play around with!

tirediron · Jul 2, 2013

I think you're very close here Jenna; we can start picking on the niggly details now. The background doesn't quite work here; even non-distracting, or light to eliminate it altogether. You need to diffuse your light more; the specular hightlights on the leather are still just a tad strong, and this would also give a slightly larger catchlight which I think would be a little more attractive. Lastly, watch the fall-off; the ears are almost in the dark, and especially with horses, ears are very important.

The_Traveler · Jul 2, 2013

It seems like your logo is very close to the horse and thus distracting.

theraven · Jul 2, 2013

Cheers guys, so better background, softer light, something in the background, ears and muzzle in the light with maybe a reflector.

Again the watermark is neither here nor there as it is not on the original image, this is only for when I put the shots on the web.

TheEditor · Jul 2, 2013

Agreed about the better background, but I love your focus on the eye of the horse and ears / the veins around it. It's an intriguing picture. Makes you look twice at it.

theraven · Jul 2, 2013

Cheers, I'm seriously chuffed with myself I can't lie! I really like it!

But I always want to improve!

o hey tyler · Jul 2, 2013

Needs to be shot at a longer focal length.

As John said, the light source needs to be larger. Utilizing light to separate your subject from your background is quite possible, even in this scenario. It's all about how you use the light. The light source should also be higher next time and aimed down IMO.

To me, this is not fine art. The first thing that jumped out at me was the small catchlights on the eyes. I had almost thought you used a pop up flash. Keep working on it though.