How to Photograph Model Horses
The goal of photographing model horses is to fool the viewer into thinkng that they are looking at a photo of a real horse. Photos of your model horses are a great way to not only participate in model horse photo shows, but help sell your models. Besides, it's fun. It's best to photograph your model horses outdoors, as indoor light makes the pictures too washed out, flat and fake.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Model horse
- 35 mm camera with zoom function
- Aquarium sand in a normal earth tone color
- Props (optional)
- Sunlight
- Uncluttered background or backdrop
- Notebook and pen (optional)
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Worth a Thousand Words
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1
Pick a background, whether a real one or a backdrop. This should be uncluttered such as a blue sky or a sky clue cloth just far enough away so that the viewer can't tell that it's only a backdrop.
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2
Purchase aquarium or vivarium sand, available in a pet store. Get sand in earth tones that look like horse arena dirt.
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3
Load your 35mm camera with film (preferably 200 speed) and make sure the batteries work.
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4
Gather together model horse, backdrop, sand, camera and any props needed (such as model horse saddles and bridles or miniature fencing. Bringing a notebook and pen to write down how you set the shot up is optional.
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5
Select a place where you can lay down the sand and make it look like an arena or paddock. Make sure the sun is behind you. Set up the backdrop, if you brought one.
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6
Set your model and any appropritate props up in the sand.
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7
Get down on your belly at your model's eye-level and steady the camera for the shots. You need to be at least two feet away. In order to get a detailed photo, you need to set the camera's zoom lens on and adjust it so the model horse fills the frame. Move slightly in other positions and angles to get the right shot. If you want, write down in your noteook about how you set up each shot as a reminder of what worked and what didn't.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Take many shots of the same model in the same set up in order to find the best one.
Expect to make many mistakes. This is the only way you can learn.
Have fun!
Keep away from grass and plants, as they give away the size of your model horse and spoil the illusion that you are photographing a real horse.
Many photo shows will allow you not to have a doll rider or handler. Dolls can look really bad, unless you can hide the face with a hat, hair, or having the head turned away from the camera.
