What lighting equipment do you use?

[E Parki]

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

[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).

[Linda Finstad]

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.

[E Parki]

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

[Mary Peterson]

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?

[Stephen Crowers]

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.

[Johanna Merenheimo]

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 Brandt]

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/controller/home?O=&sku=839342&is=REG&Q=&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

[Sharon Packer]

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.

[Barb Young]

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.