Introduction
I enjoy photo showing. I think it is the part of the hobby I love best! I took my first model photographs in 1989 and I continue to take new photos today. I average 60-80 photo shows a year and am pleased with my results but I'll always have more to learn.
I prefer taking model photographs outside. I just seem to get better results outside versus using inside photography. However, outside photography is not fool-proof: there are certain things that you should be aware of. In these articles, I will try to share as many of my secrets and tips as I can.
Equipment
I tried taking my first photographs with an instamatic camera and found that it just doesn't work! For the first couple of years, I borrowed my sister's 35mm camera (Figure 1 was made with this borrowed camera). Then, my husband saw that I really liked this stuff and he bought me a nice 35mm camera of my own for Christmas. It is a Minolta 3xi with automatic focus (probably cost $250-$300). The automation is not necessary but is nice (and can be turned off if desired). I use a 50mm lens (included with camera purchase) for all my traditional and classic size photography (which is 90% of what I do). I did purchase a 4+ close up lens to take photographs of smaller models (ex. Stablemates). It was cheap ($10-20) versus buying a macro lens ($200) but the quality is not quite as good. If I were really into mini photography, I'd splurg for the macro lens.
If you don't have the money for a camera of your own, do like I did and borrow for a while until you know you are serious about it and/or have the money for your own!
Setup
There is the 'laying on the ground' method and the 'table-top' method (some people use truck tops, etc for their table). When I started, I used the ground method. I would find a relatively level spot of ground, lay out trash bags and cover it all with sand. Then I put a to-scale fence in the background and I was ready to shoot. I would position my model in front of the fence, lay down on the ground (best to lay on some sort of towel to avoid getting overly dirty), and shoot my photos. Figure 1 shows my very early attempts with the ground method. Actually, the photo is not too bad and this model actually got into the BOFC Hall of Fame using only this photo! The model is in focus, and the background kinda blurs out and doesn't get in the way.
Some people try to photograph their models with alternate footing. I've seen models photographed on cement, gravel, and standing in grass. Try to avoid this as the cement and gravel look unrealistic and the grass is pitifully out of proportion to the models - use kitty litter or sand instead.
Soon, I tired of the ground method. It was much too dirty and it was trouble getting up and down all the time plus the neighbors looked at me funny! I graduated to the table top method. I use (for halter at least) a card table. I lay trash bags on it (so I don't ruin the table), and cover it with sand and place my fence toward the back of it. Figure 2 shows this method - the photo is taken in the exact location of Figure 1 but notice the differences. The model is raised up - the barn doesn't tower over the model and looks more to scale. You can see tree tops and the sky which makes it look more realistic.
So, whichever method you use, ground or table, the setup is basically the same. Keep it simple. Figure 3 shows a halter photo where I didn't even use a fence in the background. The background is a field with trees far off. Your goal is to take a clear picture, where the model is the point of focus. You want the background to STAY in the background and not overpower or detract from the model.
I know some people live in cities and it makes it difficult to find an open area suitable to photograph. In that case, I've heard of people taking their models to a park for natural scenery or you may just try to photograph your models high enough up so that you only get sky in the background. No matter what the background, make sure the model is in focus and that it fills most of the picture's frame.
When I do action performance photos, many times the card table is not big enough to get a good picture. I am fortunate to have some picnic tables that I can cover and use. However, for pleasure classes, the smaller card table works just fine.
Click HERE to go to Next Section of Polly's Article