What do you need for a photo show pic?

[triplebdesigns]

I have NEVER photo shown, but it seems like it could be fun. I like to take pictures of my horses and apparently others like to look at them. So, what kind of things do I need to have in the photo or what type of photo is "required" for a halter horse? Here are a few horses I would like to photo show:

http://www.triplebmodels.net/3B Show/Tiger Dreams.jpg

http://www.triplebmodels.net/3B Show/Danzan.jpg

http://www.triplebmodels.net/3B Show/Lightning.jpg

http://www.triplebmodels.net/3B Show/Oliver.jpg

http://www.triplebmodels.net/3B Show/The Preacher.jpg

[kafar]

Nice pics!

There are two types of "show" photos. Show ring setting and natural. For instance, western trail arena style would be in a show ring setting with a man made obsitcal. Natural would have the horse out on the trail, crossing a creek or something.

So pick scenarios that work for you and click away accordinly! Judges mostly don't care if you choose show ring or natural or a little of both in your show string. I sure don't. Just make sure the horse is well presented and nothing in the background is detracting from the horse and I will judge the horse, however you wish to show him.

Welcome to photo showing.
Vikki :)

[Wanda Eversberg]

The trees in the background are a little distracting, as they appear to be coming right up out of the horses back. Your lighting is great, and really shows off the horses beautiful color and detail. The footing is okay, and doesn't detract from the overall impression. I'd say that the background would be the only thing that I personally would change to something more of a pastoral scene ie: a field with grass and blue sky if possible, as that works with most any color horse. A busy background takes the judges eye away from the model, and hides the model's shilloutte. I learned that myself the hard way year before last when I barged into MEPSA thinking because I'd racked up some champs in small photo shows, I was ready to run with the "Big Dogs" NOT! Several of the more experienced members of the group that judged my phots put me wise about "busy" backgrounds and how distracting, and frustrating they can be for a judge. I had a fall foliage background, with fall-colored shrubs in the foreground, which in essence "camoflaged" my models, especially the pintos and Appys. I'm really not trying to pick on you here, I'm just passsing on my own experience, so you avoid the pitfalls I fell into. If you have any questions PM me and I'll be happy to help you.

[Wanda Eversberg]

The trees in the background are a little distracting, as they appear to be coming right up out of the horses back. Your lighting is great, and really shows off the horses beautiful color and detail. The footing is okay, and doesn't detract from the overall impression. I'd say that the background would be the only thing that I personally would change to something more of a pastoral scene ie: a field with grass and blue sky if possible, as that works with most any color horse. A busy background takes the judges eye away from the model, and hides the model's shilloutte. I learned that myself the hard way, year before last when I barged into MEPSA thinking because I'd racked up some champs in small photo shows, I was ready to run with the "Big Dogs" NOT! Several of the more experienced members of the group that judged my photos put me wise about "busy" backgrounds and how distracting, and frustrating they can be for a judge. I had a fall foliage background, with fall-colored shrubs in the foreground, which in essence "camoflaged" my models, especially the pintos and Appys. I'm really not trying to pick on you here, I'm just passsing on my own experience, so you avoid the pitfalls I fell into. If you have any questions PM me and I'll be happy to help you. Good luck, and keep up the good work!

[thebillybo]

I LOVE that Oberon... wow.

I think your pics are lovely... Well lit, it's easy to see the horse. No tipped away and too-dark heads or blurry legs.

The things I more or less NEED as a judge when I am judging photo shows are: well lit horse, horse fills the frame of the picture, an angle that shows me as much of the horse as possible, no backgrounds that obscure details (dark horse on dark background type-thing) and clear photography. I LIKE but don't require a perfectly realistic background/footing. It's nice, makes it easier to judge sometimes, I'm not staring at the giant blades of grass in the lawn or the dirty breakfast dishes on the table... But it's not the biggest thing to me. :)

The trees are a wee bit distracting but nowhere near as much as some I have seen. I really like how the trees are sort of soft and (for lack of a better word here!) faded out. The horse stands out very well.

I'd say you could do quite well with pictures like these!

[Liz]

Lovely pictures! The only thing I would suggest is perhaps move the model away from the back drop a little and perhaps crop the pictures leaving a little more space around the model? I used to crop my pictures very close so that more detail on the horse could be seen when resized to the 350X350 limit but now I prefer to leave a little more space so the horses dont seem quite so boxed in......just little things and personal preference but otherwise I think your photos are really lovely and will show well regardless! Enjoy!!

[Hsaiotei]

Those pictures are actually really good, IMHO. About the only suggestion I'd make that hasn't yet been made is to watch the shadow of the horse on the background--it's not evident in all the pictures, but on a couple of them there is a definite shadow on the background (something I still sometimes have trouble with myself, lol). Most judges will count against that in a realistic setting as horses don't print their shadows on the sky or trees or whatever in that manner (and unless you have actual, 3-D prop trees or bushes, there's no way to make them look realistic like that).

Have you joined IMEHA, TOPSA or BMHR yet? Good places to start, to "test the waters."

Beth

[tipsy]

Very nice pictures of lovely models :) I like the footing, in all the pix.
It's already been said, but my only criticisms would be the busy background appearing too close to the model. I prefer to see more space around the horse, as well, but that's just personal preference, and I do understand that there are often space constraints, particularly with indoor photos.

[kafar]

DOH! We forgot to help with the photo backs! :D

If you are only going to be online showing, the photos don't need "backs". However, if you are going to enter snail-mail in type photo shows, the backs need labeling.

The hobby standard: Divide the pic into three even horizontal portions. The top third, in the left hand corner, is where you put the horses name, next line age/date foaled/breed/gender, and next line[s] any other info. I like to put it's origion and finish status, color, and parents for breeding classes in my clubs. Example:
Ibn Arabian
1997 Arabian Stallion
Breyer, Traditional - Rem/Rep/Hair
Straight Egyptian - Bay
[Abu Arabian x Bint Bint Arabian]

The middle section is where you put class numbers for that show. Use Scotch Magic Tape or similar erasable tape product. Use the 3/4 inch size, a NICE long strip of it, and write the classes in pencin. NICE BIG NUMBERS! Makes it easier for the judge to see and sort classes. When the pics come home, you can erase the pencil numbers and write in new ones for the next show.

The bottom third is for your name and address.

Keep your photo backs consistant, which makes it easier when the judge is sorting to send everything home again. If you put your address sticker in the lower right [or left or center] of the photo, then ALWAYS put the address sticker in the lower right [or left or center] of the photo. Identifying marks also help make your pics look the "same" for the final sort... like a gold star sticker in the lower right of the pic. Lots of folks use star stickers so try to come up with something unique.

Vikki :)

[bananas]

ooo, i LOVE the 2nd pic :)

[triplebdesigns]

Have you joined IMEHA, TOPSA or BMHR yet? Good places to start, to "test the waters."


Thanks for the great tips! I think the trees are a bit distracting myself. I'll get another background.

How do I join these groups?

[isabelle]

Yeah! They sound cool- what are they, photoshow groups?


And Lisa, great pics! I cant believe this is new to you! :) Very impressive!

[triplebdesigns]

And Lisa, great pics! I cant believe this is new to you! :) Very impressive!

I have been live showing since 1989 - no idea why I never got into photo showing - I have always been a shutter bug! :lol

I'm anxious to try it though. D'Arry was telling me about it the other week and was telling me she judged a photo show once many moons ago. It sounds like a hoot!

[Irene]

IMEHA and TOPSA information can be found here.

http://www.imeha.org/

For TOPSA information just scroll down to the bottom of the IMEHA main website.

Irene:hello

[Liz]

Here is another good online show ......

http://www.custommodelhorse.com/

[Irene]

Here is another good online show ......

http://www.custommodelhorse.com/

Thank you so much! I completely forgot about that one :embarras:

Irene :hello

[hi_d_hi]

I have another photo show coming up at the end of August I believe. I will be posting it soon.

[horseluver4132]

I LOVE your horses. They are great. I they are splendid.