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Horse Photography:
The Dynamic Guide for Horse Lovers by Carol Walker Painted Hills Publishing
book review by Karolina Blaha-Black
"My best teachers in learning to photograph horses have been the horses themselves."
Seasoned photographer Carol Walker offers a stunning portrayal of tame and wild horses in her handbook on horse photography and teaches the wannabe shutterbug how to take the best equine pictures possible.
In six easy-to-understand chapters, a beginner horse photographer learns all that he or she needs to know to take good pictures of horses and how to get stunning results. In the first part of the book, Walker highlights whether to use a digital or film camera. The reader learns about using the light to their advantage, shutter speeds, and how to set the camera when your subjects walk, trot, canter, and move at liberty. The author explains how to shoot in variable weather conditions, such as rain and snow, and how to change the angle of your shot to highlight a desired part of the horse, like a head or an eye. A large part of shooting horses, Walker says, is that in the process of working with them, you get a better understanding of their nature.
Particularly interesting was the chapter on how to prepare the horse for the shoot, how to keep them entertained during it, and where to stand to be in a safe zone, since horses can spook sometimes and trample the photographer.
All throughout the book, which features the authors stunning images of gorgeous horses, the reader will find ready-to-use, handy information. The book is printed on a quality, glossy paper, which gives the horse images clarity and sharpness. The book is portable enough to carry to the photo shoot with you for an easy reference.
Particularly of note was the section on wild horses, which are vanishing at a rapid rate. Walker teaches the reader where to go to photograph them, how to approach them, and what equipment to use (a telephoto lens for long distances), for example. For those interested in conservation and how to help these symbols of the American West, she offers a resource list on wild horses at the end of the book.
This book cant be amiss in any horse lovers library.