Hey Tony,

Yeah..a refelctor would pretty much require having an assistant....which then wipes out any profit margin if you don't a significant volume.

It was only a thought. As I said earlier, I love the shots.

James

My shots lack something that I can't really put my finger on. That extra "oomph" or edge a truly professional photo has.

I think I will grab a friend to hold the reflector for me. Or my husband. My daughter will get that job in a few years, at 6, she isn't quite accurate enough with it.

I could have used fill flash but 1)I didn't want the horse to spook(possible) and 2) it tends to flatten the light. Probably my crappy technique really!

I took about 25 photos in a 5 min span. The horse was walking and dragging my daughter around. It was one of those work fast and get what you can. Usually I can get something halfway decent from a quick shoot with these two.

Julie, so sorry to hear about your mare. That and colic are the scary words in my house. Hope she does well.

I have been fiddleling (is that a word?) with foam core board - and glueing mylar to it. Try to get as reflective mirror like mylar as you can get. American Science and Surplus had some. You can take a light stand with a clamp that has a goose neck on it and you can reflect a kicker light where you want without an assistant. I know with moving kids and horses that it can be a challenge. But I love the results.

Both child and horse are lovely!
PS

"
My shots lack something that I can't really put my finger on. That extra "oomph" or edge a truly professional photo has."

What do youfeel your shots are missing? Is it something you can quantify? My general feeling is that you are way too hard on yourself. On the other hand, it is good to be your own worst critic.

James

It is something that I can't put my finger on. A polish maybe. And yes, I am hyper critical of myself, though, I figure others are just as much so, just not saying it

LOL. I think we have a pretty honest crew here, though I think that everyone tries to be respectful. Having said that, the only minor niggle that I have is that I like the light to be a bit warmer when doing portraits. That is why I mentioned a possible reflector. However, it sounds like this is much more difficult to do in practice than it is in theory.

James

If you have the time you could try reshooting at a different time of day, such as late arvo prior to sundown to get that rich golden light. Different look perhaps?
Or what about your daughter wearing a different outfit, even a little hunt outfit would be cute :-) (is your mare a warmblood/tb?) All just food for thought. I like the images.

Very good eye on her breeding!! She is Trakehner/TB.

Yes, the early morning/late afternoon light would be MUCH better. She was moving in an hour(farms) and I figured it might be my last chance to get some nice shots of her.

I will shoot some more at the new farm. Though, I think my daughter has outgrown her jods and such. I believe they are size 2! She is 6 now She wore them when she was 4. Kinda scrawny

Hope to see some other pictures then, when you have a chance.

By the way I just noticed your location. Any chance of some TWH images?? Or other gaited breeds such as Saddlebreds. We don't get many of those down here and I think they are very elegant/flashy!

I have never shot the TWH or saddlebreds, there are PLENTY around here, I just don't ride in those circles so, I honestly have no idea where they show.

I will try and find some and get some photos. Good to know how to do! And flashy they are!!