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Taking photos for NZGCA documents

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Requirements:

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• Photos must be landscape and uploaded in a picture format eg .jpeg or .png

• They must show the horse without tack/cover but in a halter or bridle

• All four legs must be visible

• The photo should be taken/cropped so that the handler is not visible

• The horse must be standing side-on and square (i.e. not moving)

• The tail should not obscure the hock closest to the camera

• The background must not distract from the horse

• Photos must NOT be digitally altered in any way, this includes 
  background OR horse

 

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Tips:

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• Pre plan

• Arrange a helper or two

• Tidy the area so you have a clean, clutter free background                                                                                                                               or use a photo editing programme to do your tidy up

• Teach your horse to stand square before the photos are required

• Start with a clean cob. Wash, or at least brush your horse before you                                                                                                           start and tidy up straggly or dirty tails /manes

• Have a clean, well fitted bridle or halter

• Have level ground for the horse to stand on

• To take the photo, stand with the camera level with the horse’s girth                                                                                                             and at wither height

• Have the far legs inside the near legs so all four legs are visible

• The canon bone should be perpendicular to the ground (straight down)

• The front leg closest to the camera needs to be straight or the                                                                                                                         horse will look like it is leaning

• A contrasting colour to your horse can be helpful but don’t stand them                                                                                                            too close to it, so you avoid shading/ shadows

• Lighting is important. The light shouldn’t be behind the horse, or it will appear to be in shadow. The best time to take photos is early morning or late afternoon- not midday when the sun is directly overhead

• Ears forward (the horses not yours). This is where a helper and a bag of treats to shake are a huge help

• Take plenty of photos and edit to remove unsightly bits in the background and crop to place the horse in the centre of the photo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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