| Model horse photo contests are based on achieving | | | | viewers can appreciate the details. Allow a very small |
| the most realistic looking photo. It sounds like a simple | | | | margin around the edges just so nothing is cut off and |
| task. How hard can it be to take a picture of a Breyer | | | | the picture looks nice. But a very close-cropped shot is |
| horse? | | | | more impressive. With a digital camera, if you shoot |
| Actually, it can be pretty tough. Some of the best | | | | too wide, often you can crop the photo afterwards |
| photos look so much like photos of real horses it is | | | | and still have a nice result. It is recommended to shoot |
| hard to tell you are looking at model horse toys. That | | | | on a high enough resolution so it won't get blurry later if |
| level of realism is not easy to achieve. It requires a lot | | | | you need to do some editing. |
| of thought, planning and preparation. Here are 5 keys | | | | 4. Even though you are working with horse toys, you |
| to winning photo contests with model horse toys. | | | | want to shoot at the horse's level to achieve a |
| 1. Use good, natural light, and focus carefully. If you | | | | life-sized impression. Set the horse on a table or |
| shoot outdoors, the lighting is almost always good and | | | | yourself on the ground so that the camera is on level |
| you do not need to invest in special studio equipment. | | | | with his elbow or withers. This creates the illusion of |
| You should however, use a camera that allows you | | | | realism the judges are looking for. |
| manual control over shutter speed and f-stop and | | | | 5. Avoid distracting backgrounds. Judges are looking |
| focus. Even very basic digital cameras these days | | | | for a clear, crisp outline of the horse's silhouette. Look |
| offer some manual controls. Focus is usually automatic, | | | | for a solid color that contrasts with the horse's body |
| unfortunately, except on high-end SLR versions. You | | | | color. If you can position the model horse toys so the |
| want an f-stop of about 4, so as to sharpen the model | | | | blue sky functions as the background, that's perfect. |
| and dull the background slightly. Carefully hold your | | | | Otherwise, choose something that is as solid as |
| model up to the light and turn it in different directions to | | | | possible. Man-made objects such as cars and buildings |
| determine which light angle appears best. Set it up on | | | | can be a problem, mostly because they destroy the |
| the footing at this angle. | | | | illusion the model is life-sized. A distant car that |
| 2. Be sure the footing and any props are fully in | | | | appears very tiny can be permissible, if it looks like it |
| proportion. Anything out-of scale significantly mars the | | | | belongs and is the same scale as the horse. |
| photo. Although you are shooting outdoors, avoid sitting | | | | A great place to get started photographing your |
| the horse on a surface that will betray its small size, | | | | Breyer horse toys is taking halter photographs. This |
| such as real grass, or a picnic table top. Sandy or bare | | | | means the horse is alone with no props, or that he's |
| soil is usually a good option for a Breyer horse in a | | | | photographed with only the halter and lead. Of course, |
| halter photograph, with a bit of green fading off in the | | | | these tactics will work with any model horse brand. |
| background ok. You can carry your own personal bag | | | | We recommend Breyer horse toys because of their |
| of footing with you. This could be sand. Or some | | | | quality, availability and overwhelming popularity among |
| brands of fine kitty litter work nicely as well. Once | | | | hobbyists. |
| you've chosen a good location for the shot, pour down | | | | Keeping these tips carefully in mind as you work |
| a nice layer of footing and place your horse. Once you | | | | should put you in the running for a contest placement |
| are done with the shoot, simply scoop the footing back | | | | or perhaps even a winner. With practice and |
| into your bag and you are good to go. | | | | persistence, you can take the blue ribbon! |
| 3. Be sure the horse completely fills the frame, so that | | | | |