Taking photos for NZGCA documents
Requirements:
-
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
Tips:
-
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.