Horsing around
Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 10:15PM I wasn’t really an animal person growing up. That’s changed—a lot. People (and my pups) will always be my favorite subjects for photography, but I had quite a bit of fun shooting a friend’s horse, Coco, while we were visiting.
Their horses are barrel racers. Don’t worry, I had to ask what that meant too. Like I said, I’m not a equine photographer by any means, but these were a nice change of pace.
Horses’ eyes just say so much. Talking to them and watching their reactions and interactions with each other was really something. Eric’s mom grew up riding horses in the desert, and I can certainly see how this was a way for her to find tranquility—just look at the intense calmness (oxymoron?) of their eyes.
This picture was a fluke. Eric took it, and we cannot, for our lives, figure out how it was done. Here are the stats if you want to try to crack it: ISO 100 at 200mm and f/2.8 and 1/6400sec in broad daylight. Any ideas? Even though I have no idea how he got it, I adore this picture. I think it says so much without showing much at all—this horse has raw strength.
This shot is so idyllic. I can just imagine generations of Southern families with horses patiently waiting by the gate to be taken out for a ride. I wanted a horse as a kid, but I had no idea at the time how much actually goes into caring for one. Living on a rocky three acres in Texas wouldn’t have done much good for a horse either.
And finally, just because I think it is a funny shot:
It is completely out of focus, but that giant face just cracks me up! He wanted to know what the camera was, and trailed it every time I moved out of his way.
Did you grow up with horses or any other animals? We had cats, and I’ve since blossomed into an animal person in general. What about you?
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Memphis, NaBloPoMo, equine photography in Animal, NaBloPoMo 
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Reader Comments (4)
Little known fact: I grew up in North Dakota, and my grandparents lived on a farm--horses, cows, 10 million barn cats, the best dog that ever lived, a goat or two, and tons and tons of wonderful memories for me. Horses are something else. I could tell a few stories about the horses and adventures involving the horses, but this isn't my blog. ;-) Thanks for sharing the great pics!
I didn't really grow up around horses, but my grandparents had them and I took lessons. They are a lot of trouble sometimes, but not more trouble than they're worth (although sometimes just barely). :) I still take lessons when I get a chance.
I loved horses as a kid, though I wasn't around them much. As an adult, I've voluteered at a barn that does hippotherapy, which is therapy for kids with special needs on horseback. So amazing!
hi. I know it's a teensy bit late, but since no one had, I wanted to comment on your beautiful horsey back shot. If one were to follow the 'Sunny 16' rule, then shooting at F2.8 @6400 (@ISO 100) should have made you only a 1/2 stop underexposed. That makes me think that maybe your exposure compensation is set to underexpose a couple of stops? I know that on my Canon set to Manual, it is easy to change that when you are meaning to just change the ISO. I am no missy smartypants, but just a thought. It just looks that if you were in bright sunlight, you way underexposed therefore only exposed for the main highlight on the horse's back.
Cute blog,fellow (soon to be no fellow as I've read) Austinite!