Back by Popular Demand!

The Basics of Equine Photography
with Carien Schippers

Course will start on Wednesday, June 11th

SORRY - THIS COURSE IS NOW CLOSED
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This course is for any photographer that would like to improve their equine photographic skills.

Equine photography is a highly specialized field and in this intensive hands on course we will explore how to consistently get good, usable photos.

All skill level photographers are encouraged to take this course. Each participant will receive individual attention with feedback that addresses their personal goals and skills.

This six week course will introduce a new tutorial each week. As you work through the tutorials you will be encouraged to go out and shoot, applying what you have learned and then upload your best images to the forum photo albums for feedback. This course is meant to be a hands on class and you will be encouraged to participate by shooting each week or better yet, every day, posting your work, asking questions and helping class mates. If possible students should have access to horses to practice what they learned at a minimum of once a week. You will see an improvement in your work right away as you learn basic technical skills for shooting horses and get more comfortable with your gear.

Week One: Introductions and Equipment
• Getting to know each other: introductions and posting photos
• Getting to know your gear: camera and lenses needed for successful equine photography
• Technicals: shutter speeds, ISO, aperture, focal lengths demystified (and more!)
• Accessories

Week Two: Successfully Shooting Halter and Conformation Poses
• Breed standards and why they are important to know
• What makes a good halter photo?
• Tips and tricks for posing your subject
• Getting consistent and knowing what to look for!

Week Three: How to get that perfect Head Shot!
• Preparation and attention to details
• Use of light, backgrounds and depth of field
• Use of props to get the best expression
• How to avoid distortion
• Getting creative

Week Four: The fun part of photographing horses: Action Shots!
• Technicals: shutter speeds and focus issues
• Free action at Liberty
• Under saddle action
• Gaits: Phases of each gait and getting your timing down
• Fun shooting action assignment to practice your new skills

Week Five: Everything else!
We will discuss the elements of how to give your photos greater visual impact:
• Background
• Focus/depth of field
• Light and color
• Cropping
• Composition
• Developing your personal style and vision

Week Six: Final discussions and critiques

What this course will NOT cover:
• Business discussions
• Photoshop & computers
• In depth technical/equipment discussions

What Do Past Participants Say About the Course:
Not only has this course helped me drastically improve my equine photography, it has also helped me become a better all-around photographer. I learned more about photography, in general, than just about any other photo course I've taken previously. You have helped me move much closer to my goals. Bev Petit

I have enjoyed the course very much and have learned a great deal from it. The readings and assignments have encouraged me to rethink my style of shooting. I am now approaching shoots in a new and better way thanks to the material from this course and feel I have improved as a photographer. Dave Boege

I would like to say first and foremost how happy I am to have taken this course. I explained in my intro my absolute fear of shooting manually and by week two, after getting to know my gear more, I was actually excited at what I started seeing in not putting everything on auto. I have learned a lot and see things differently now, more creative control of the image you try to portray. I hope that I have succeeded in doing so and I know I will continue to learn. Thanks again Carien for all your inspiration. I would highly recommend anyone to take this course! Dorothy Puddester

I have certainly enjoyed Basics in Horse Photography. The way of delivering a class is such a good idea. It is the next best thing to the classroom because you get to share comments and critiques and view the work of the other students. Which, by the way in this class, is awesome! Thank you, Carien, for a wonderful course! I learned a lot!! Nancy Weaver

This course had many eye openers, I was always told I could take good pictures, but I want to take great pictures.  I know that my equine photographs have improved and can only get better using all the information you provided us with. Your input was always clear and pushed us to try harder and different areas. Amazing Course! Catharina van Leeuwenkamp

Course leader: Carien Schippers
Carien has been photographing horses for 30 years. She has shot a wide variety of breeds and disciplines from top level show horses to new born foals, wild horses, draft horses and ponies. Her work has been widely published in magazines, books, calendars and catalogs as well as commercial and art work. She has a good working knowledge and experience shooting many breeds and disciplines. During this course she will work with each participant to hone their skills at whatever level they may be and help them see how small changes can make a big difference in the quality of their work.