What lighting equipment do you use?

Not a member but have a question related to equine photography? Ask it here! You must be registered on the forum to be able to post here.

Moderator: admin

Post Reply
somethingorother
New Member
Posts: 9
Joined: Tue Mar 02, 2010 9:48 am
Real Name (first and last name): E Parki

What lighting equipment do you use?

Post by somethingorother »

I am just interested really as i had never seen much lighting equipment used in equine photography until recently.

In this case a portraiture photographer wanted to have a practice on some friends horses, as he was interested in expanding into the equine side of photography which he had never done before.

He brought a big lighting rig etc ( i unfortunately had to leave and missed the shoot itself) which was set up at one end of the menage/arena/school and the horse was loose running around. This gave some amazing photos (wish i could show them you, they really did look awesome!), especially since it was his first attempt at shooting horses. The only problem was the horses were scared of the huge flash and lights etc and did get a bit worked up and sweaty.

So i wondered if any of you could explain what equipment you use for lighting (if any) and maybe show me some examples of the effects which they produce??

I don't have access to any, nor the funds to purchase any. I am an amatuer photographer, mostly just for a hobby and not very well! lol. I would just like to learn more about this area.

Also sorry if there is already a thread like this, i couldnt find one on a search.

Thanks,

Emma :)
User avatar
michealle
Registered Guest
Posts: 108
Joined: Wed Oct 10, 2007 1:04 am
Real Name (first and last name): michealle
Location: Concord, CA
Contact:

Re: What lighting equipment do you use?

Post by michealle »

All of my attempts with lighting equipment on horses have led to frightened horses. Not something I want to deal with, nor a look I care to go for. Even popping a little fill flash can be distressing for them. Some of the more venturesome ones are all about trying to play with stands and umbrellas until the strobe goes off.

I tend to use available light and reflectors, though thinking on it you could probably get away with hot lights and the same without frightening them, you just have to keep them away from any animals at liberty (horses are playful creatures, after all).
I'm Michealle. I LOVE art.
LinFin
Registered Guest
Posts: 58
Joined: Sun Dec 24, 2006 10:05 am
Real Name (first and last name): Linda Finstad
Location: www.imagineitsold.ca

Re: What lighting equipment do you use?

Post by LinFin »

Personally - I think horses and lights on stands of any kind ( hot or strobe) is just a law suit waiting to happen.
Plus can you imagine how fast the news would travel through the equine community if an accident were to occur, your name would be mud.
There is a reason equine photographers pray for good weather and shoot outside.
somethingorother
New Member
Posts: 9
Joined: Tue Mar 02, 2010 9:48 am
Real Name (first and last name): E Parki

Re: What lighting equipment do you use?

Post by somethingorother »

Thanks for the replies!

I had never thought about using lighting with horses until this guy. I agree, the frightened look isn't a great look!

Just wondered if it was something that was done or not, but i guess not! Not that it makes a difference to me anyways since i can't afford to buy proper lighting equipment.

Consider my curiosity satisfied, cheers :D
mjrose514
New Member
Posts: 5
Joined: Thu Sep 29, 2011 11:58 am
Real Name (first and last name): Mary Peterson

Re: What lighting equipment do you use?

Post by mjrose514 »

So I'm new to the equine photo game and had asked this of photog friends of mine that have done more equine portraiture and 90% of them said they used OCF so it's interesting that so many don't here. I personally haven't tried it yet, but I love ocf so it's something I've been wondering about myself. any new answers?
User avatar
StephenCrowers
Registered Guest
Posts: 497
Joined: Fri Mar 21, 2008 2:05 pm
Real Name (first and last name): Stephen Crowers
Location: Doylestown (Bucks County), PA
Contact:

Re: What lighting equipment do you use?

Post by StephenCrowers »

Nope - the answers will pretty much be the same. I know lots of reining/cutting horse photographers that use flashes from the grandstands, and the breed shooters (saddlebreds, etc.) will use stroboframes in a wedding, run-and-gun-style setup for in the ring shots - but in many of the equestrian disciplines, the horses are not used to flashes going off. You can always take the time to despook the horse first. I've done it with some of the "bombproof" horses at my wife's barn, but it' takes a lot of time that you might not have available in a paid portrait shoot.

If you like the look, bring the equipment, test it out on the horse and see how they tolerate it (and have a good insurance policy) - but always have a plan "B" that involves utilizing natural light...just in case.
Jonnakoo
Registered Guest
Posts: 1
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2010 3:01 pm
Real Name (first and last name): Johanna Merenheimo

Re: What lighting equipment do you use?

Post by Jonnakoo »

Hi!

I'm new here but thought about answering this question.
I'm a studio photographer and also use studio equipment when shooting horses. In this side of the world where I live (Finland) the lighting conditions are really poor most of the year so really not much choice here than use flashes/strobes. Of course I try to shoot as much outdoors as possible but freezingly cold dark (and loooong) winters make that quite frustrating.

Here are links to my images if you want to take a look:
https://www.facebook.com/#!/hevoskuvaus (just started this one so no much pics there yet)
http://www.merenheimo.com

and my blog and other facebook page with some horse pics:
https://www.facebook.com/merenheimo.photography
http://merenheimo.blogspot.fi/search/la ... t%2Fhorses

I'm glad to answer if you have any questions about studiio equipment and how i use them as safely as i can. I do shoot horses in the studio so they can't run freely around, i would never risk anything and let horses get wild around my lighting gear.

Johanna Merenheimo
andrea_lume
Registered Guest
Posts: 62
Joined: Fri May 10, 2013 3:24 pm
Real Name (first and last name): Andrea Brandt
Location: Oxford, Michigan
Contact:

Re: What lighting equipment do you use?

Post by andrea_lume »

I have not yet gotten into equine photography (I'm really just starting out), but I do human and small pet portrait photography in my studio and on-location. I'm actually looking into buying an Ice Light: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/control ... &A=details

It's a light that was originally intended for shooting video, but has found it's way into the portrait world because of it's versatility- it's a continuous, dimmable light wand that works amazing for on-location portraits. Here's a video of it being used for senior portraits: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cma4ak_oY8I

I only use continuous lights at my studio, because small children, babies and pets are usually scared by flashes. I wonder if horses would be the same? If so, maybe the Ice Light would be a good lighting tool for equine portraits, too? No cords or stands to worry about- and it doesn't get hot :)
Andrea Brandt Chapoton
http://www.lumephotography.com
http://www.facebook.com/lumephoto

Nikon D300s, 70-200mm 2.8 and 50mm 1.8 lenses
User avatar
shapack
EPNet Pro Member
Posts: 3299
Joined: Tue Sep 11, 2007 5:26 pm
Real Name (first and last name): Sharon Packer
Location: The Carolinas and Wellington, Florida
Contact:

Re: What lighting equipment do you use?

Post by shapack »

Great topic! I am doing more and more portrait work and am interested in the Ice Light as well. I'll be interested to see how people are mounting the Ice Light.
Last edited by shapack on Mon May 13, 2013 10:05 am, edited 1 time in total.
Sharon Packer
Horse Sports Photography, LLC
http://www.HorseSportsPhotography.com
User avatar
BarbYoung
EPNet Pro Member
Posts: 2818
Joined: Thu Aug 05, 2004 5:57 pm
Real Name (first and last name): Barb Young
Location: western Colorado
Contact:

Re: What lighting equipment do you use?

Post by BarbYoung »

This is the Open Forum, available to the general public and not just members. If you are a member of Equine Photographers, your question would get a lot more response, if asked in the General Members' Technical area of the Forum.
"If we're ever gonna see a rainbow,
We have to stand a little rain"
~NGDB


Website
EPNet Portfolio
join me on Facebook
Post Reply

Return to “EPNet Open Forum”