Horse Photography: The Dynamic Guide for Horse Lovers - Hardcover

Carol J. Walker

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0981793622 ISBN 13: 9780981793627

Publisher: Painted Hills Publishing, 2013

Synopsis

Why photograph horses? Because, in the words of author Carol Walker, they ''fill our hearts,'' and capturing them on film or in digital images expresses that relationship. We want to catch and hold--and show--their spirit, their tremendous joy in living, their unique personalities, and of course, their incomparable beauty. And we want the quality of our images to honor our glorious subjects.

Photographing horses presents a double challenge, the first being the technical aspects--the lenses, the setting, the light and speed, and how all those relate to the subject. The second element is more elusive; it is horse knowledge--the educated ability to see how a horse moves, sense its moods, and understand its psychology as a prey animal.

Horse Photography: The Dynamic Guide for Horse Lovers presents the tools to master both technique and subject matter. More than that, the book will stir your creativity and inspire you to spend more time focusing on these animals you admire.

About this title

About the Author:

Carol Walker has traveled the world photographing animals for almost 30 years, and since 2000 has concentrated on horses, including the object of her greatest passion, America's wild horses. Carol's stunning images illuminate the relationship between horses and their people, as well as showcase the beauty of horses at liberty. She teaches equine photography workshops for amateurs, and her commercial work includes Wild Hoofbeats: America s Vanishing Wild Horses, is in its second printing and has won numerous awards for the quality of images and evocative writing.

Review:

''My best teachers in learning to photograph horses have been the horses themselves.'' Seasoned photographer Carol Walker offers a stunning portrayal of tame and wild horses in her handbook on horse photography and teaches the wannabe shutterbug how to take the best equine pictures possible. In six easy-to-understand chapters, a beginner horse photographer learns all that he or she needs to know to take good pictures of horses and how to get stunning results. In the first part of the book, Walker highlights whether to use a digital or film camera. The reader learns about using the light to their advantage, shutter speeds, and how to set the camera when your subjects walk, trot, canter, and move at liberty. The author explains how to shoot in variable weather conditions, such as rain and snow, and how to change the angle of your shot to highlight a desired part of the horse, like a head or an eye. A large part of shooting horses, Walker says, is that in the process of working with them, you get a better understanding of their nature. Particularly interesting was the chapter on how to prepare the horse for the shoot, how to keep them entertained during it, and where to stand to be in a safe zone, since horses can spook sometimes and trample the photographer. All throughout the book, which features the authors stunning images of gorgeous horses, the reader will find ready-to-use, handy information. The book is printed on a quality, glossy paper, which gives the horse images clarity and sharpness. The book is portable enough to carry to the photo shoot with you for an easy reference. Particularly of note was the section on wild horses, which are vanishing at a rapid rate. Walker teaches the reader where to go to photograph them, how to approach them, and what equipment to use (a telephoto lens for long distances), for example. For those interested in conservation and how to help these symbols of the American West, she offers a resource list on wild horses at the end of the book. This book cant be amiss in any horse lovers library. --Karolina Blaha-Black, The US Review of Books

This photography instruction book is beautiful enough to be an excellent coffee table book. The author demonstrates special photographic techniques and tips with wonderful example photos of her own. Her instructions are easy to follow and understand and the proof of their applications is right there in the book. The subject horses, people, and settings are always tasteful and oft times stunning. Even her How not to do it examples are lovely, considering they are not optimal. Her 30 years of experience definitely show through, making it all look so simple. As a teacher of the craft, she manages to give wise suggestions, yet leaves application leeway so her readers can develop their own style using her approaches. This book has artistic value for its pictures and educational value for both beginners and pros. Horse people will adore this collection of outstanding horse pictures. We rated it a high five hearts. --Heartland reviews

This photography instruction book is beautiful enough to be an excellent coffee table book. The author demonstrates special photographic techniques and tips with wonderful example photos of her own. Her instructions are easy to follow and understand and the proof of their applications is right there in the book. The subject horses, people, and settings are always tasteful and oft times stunning. Even her How not to do it examples are lovely, considering they are not optimal. Her 30 years of experience definitely show through, making it all look so simple. As a teacher of the craft, she manages to give wise suggestions, yet leaves application leeway so her readers can develop their own style using her approaches. This book has artistic value for its pictures and educational value for both beginners and pros. Horse people will adore this collection of outstanding horse pictures. We rated it a high five hearts. --Heartland reviews

About this edition

• Publisher: Painted Hills Publishing
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 0981793622
• ISBN 13: 9780981793627
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 112