Tips for Photographing the Perfect Trot
Tip #1.
know your discipline
Most equestrians know the difference between English and Western. Aside from the attire and tack, there's a lot of variation between the two styles of riding, including how the horses are photographed. This may seem like a no-brainer, but knowing your discipline means knowing what is ideal, and when to take the picture so that the horse looks it's best. Each discipline has distinct maneuvers that are well known in the industry because of the consistency of photographs and when they are taken.
tip #2.
count the horses' strides
For the sake of this blog, let's only assume we are talking about quarter horses. The majority of your flat classes or rail classes, whether english or western, are going to want the horse's legs to resemble the letter M. This makes the horse look balanced, and with the hind leg closest to the camera extended makes the horse's hip and hindquarters look bigger.
The trot being a two beat gait, I will count in my head "one two, one two" and time my shot to when the front leg closest to me is extended.
Tip #3.
Timing
Some disciplines, like dressage, require a little bit different timing than flat or rail classes. They naturally move a little more "uphill" and with more animation in their legs than pleasure horses. Judges look for a rounded outline, suppleness and impulsion.
Tip #4.
know your diagonals
A rider posting to the trot is common in both english and western disciplines. Knowing your diagonals means knowing when the rider will be in two-point position and when their bum will return to the saddle.
The easiest way that I can remember my diagonals is the quote
Tip #5.
Shutter speed
When photographing horses, shutter speed is probably the most important thing to consider. It needs to be fast enough to stop the action of the horse without motion blur. Your environment is going to greatly determine what your shutter speed can be. If you are shooting outside in the sunshine or even overcast skies, you'll be able to use a much faster shutter speed than you would if you were shooting in an indoor or covered arena.
