cover image by MIYASHITA NAOKI
The flowing mane in the wind, the dignified face with long eyelashes. Horses embody both strength and elegance.
You might be thinking, "Horses? Really?" But recently, games featuring horses as female characters have emerged, drawing significant attention to these creatures. This has led to an increase in people starting horse racing and having their own favorite horses.
Amidst this trend, the joy of interacting with real horses and capturing their beauty in photographs is also expanding. This time, we introduce shooting scenes and tips to highlight the charm of horses.
The Beautiful Face of a Horse
Horses are creatures with rich expressions. Observe the movements of their eyes, ears, and the subtle muscles around their noses to capture natural expressions.
In close-up photography, ensure the background is simple to make the horse's expression stand out. Using a shallow depth of field to blur the background can accentuate the horse's face.
Additionally, utilizing soft light can beautifully enhance the horse's coat and expressions, emphasizing their refined presence.
Image by 佐藤 勇人
Image by TATSU
Powerful Running
The sight of horses running in a line at full speed is breathtaking. To capture this power in photos, the key is the shutter speed setting.
Using a shutter speed of 1/1000 second or faster allows you to capture the horse's movements clearly. Also, use burst mode to ensure you don't miss dynamic moments.
Consider the direction of light to highlight the horse's muscle movements and shadow contrast. Capturing the movement of muscles and the wind-swept appearance adds strength to the photos.
Image by kei utsunomiya（宇都宮 慶）
Image by Junya
Capturing the Sense of Speed
An essential aspect of a horse's charm is its sense of speed. To express this in photos, using the panning technique is recommended.
Set the shutter speed to about 1/60 second and move the camera along with the horse's movement to blur the background and emphasize the sense of speed.
Shooting from a low angle or focusing on a specific part of the body, such as the face, is also a good method. The contrast with the ground and the sight of the mane blowing in the wind can create a greater sense of speed.
Image by DragonOne
Image by Ultra TakaBo-
Creatures Serving the Gods
Since ancient times, horses have been considered sacred beings, often depicted as creatures serving the gods across many cultures. Choosing the right background is crucial for capturing their mystical appearance.
For instance, selecting a background like a shrine or historical building can highlight the horse's sacredness. Conversely, shooting from a low angle with minimal background can emphasize the horse's strength and majesty.
Utilizing the soft natural light of sunrise or sunset can further accentuate the horse's mystical aura. Balance light and shadow to draw out a quiet beauty.
Image by ユウ3850
Image by kiro
Hidden Horses in Everyday Life?
How about photographing 'hidden horses' that aren't real? Horses are hidden in various motifs in daily life.
From playground equipment in parks, statues in the city, to toys in stores, horse-themed items are everywhere. When photographing these, focus carefully and capture the details meticulously.
Adding blur to the background or exploring interesting compositions can also help harmonize the horse with the surrounding scenery. Look for everyday scenes where the presence of horses can be felt and capture them with your camera.
Image by Giostudio
Image by ユウ3850
What do you think?
Feel free to dive into the world of horses that captivates many. Join the cizucu community and share your favorite horse photos with everyone.
