Like this:

Nigel wanted to take advantage of the symmetrical layout of the paddocks at this yard and the fact that we had a big blue sky for this shoot. We had to make sure that the horse and handler were in exactly the correct spot in order for this image to work.

I get asked a lot at shows “where do you find such amazing locations for your photoshoots?”  The truth is that most of the locations are within a few minutes of where the horse is stabled and to the naked eye some of the areas that we shoot in look quite plain.  You don’t need a very big area to take a really stunning horse photograph, but what you do need is the ability to pre-visualise what the finished photograph will look like – something I have mentioned before in my blogs.  I suppose it’s a bit like working on a theatre set, if you find the background that you want and you are able to put more light into the area or block light out then all you need to do is to put your horse and model in your space and hey-presto job done!

Time and tide had to be right for this shot.

Now of course it is not quite as straightforward as that, if it were then I would be out of a job.  What you have to remember is that you can have the most expensive camera kit in the world but it still does not have the power of your brain.  The lens on your camera acts in the same way that your eye does in that it just lets the light in.  The chip in your camera or your film then interprets what it sees but what it can’t do is make any compensations like your brain can.  For example your brain will allow your eyes to see detail in deep shadow or bright highlights but a camera chip or film will just see deep shadows as just black and bright highlights as white.  So the secret is to know your camera kit so well that you can trick it into producing exactly the image that you have in your brain – simple!  You will know when you look at your photographs and you have got it right, but more importantly you need to look at your photographs and know when you have got it wrong, a skill that sadly is gradually being lost in the age of digital photography.

Black horse, white dress - a good example of not letting your camera take control and make decisions for you!

Any photographers either pro or amateurs would do well in remembering the words of Ansel Adams - ”You don’t take a photograph you make it.”

A great example of getting the location right first and then placing your models where you want them.

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