Pixapro Tips

Equestrian Photography Lighting Essentials

Horses are magnificent creatures with a beautiful form and shiny coat that beams in the sunlight when they gallop. Capturing their grace can be challenging as they might be trainable, but they are far from photography models considering they cannot be asked to angle their face or body towards the light and what's worse is they can be easily frightened by loud sounds and flashing lights. Another aspect that can be exceptionally difficult to capture is a horse in motion as some can have speeds up to 65km/h, and their large size requires a suitable lens that can cater to their proportions and a camera with fast shutter speeds.

Accustoming the Horse to Professional Lighting

Horses are animals that can get spooked easily, so it is essential to get them acquainted with light so they can get desensitized so they don't face any issues during this shoot. The best way to start is by aiming the light away from the horse and slowly repositioning it until the horse is well-lit. If the lighting setup involves using flash, the horse should be introduced to the flashing light at an angle so the light does not directly fall in their eyes, and they can adjust to the sound of the flash as well. This is a crucial step as it allows the horse to relax and produces natural-looking images.

Flash/Speedlite

If you're looking for a powerful flash that can effectively light every part of the horse's exterior, a flash or speedlite is the way to go, and the Godox AD300Pro is a great option. This lithium-ion battery-powered flash is highly compact as it weighs only 1.25 kg with dimensions of 190 x 100 x 90mm, making it portable and great for use on location. The light comes in multiple settings as it has nine stop ranges with 1/10 stop increments that can go down to 1/256 of its full power, along with a fast recycling time ranging between 0.01 – 1.5 seconds. The colour temperature can be adjusted between 3000-6000k with the Bi-Colour COB LED modelling light allowing the photographer to have extensive control over the lighting. This can be controlled easily using the Godox XProII flash trigger from the hotshoe of your camera.

Godox AD300Pro Super Compact 300W Battery Powered Outdoor & Indoor Flash

If you're looking for something camera mounted then a speedlite is the choice for you. The Godox V100 is an excellent choice for high power outdoor photography. With a flash output of 100W the V100 is essentially giving you the power of the strobe in a compact, camera mounted body. Never run out of power with the removable 7.2V Lithium Iron battery, giving you around 400 full power flashes, perfect for long shoots with limited mains access. With professional features such as TTL and High-Speed Sync you are guaranteed to create professional images with ease. And with a plethora of accessories available there's so much you can create. Check out the AK-R1 magnetic accessory kit to see some of the options available!

V100 100W Round-Head Speedlite Flash

Continuous Lighting

If your horse is especially finicky and doesn't respond well to flashing lights, you can consider opting for continuous lighting options such as the Godox Litemons LA150R, which is an energy-efficient lighting option that provides both Bi-Colour and RGB lighting at a brightness of 150W. The LED light has a CRI of more than 95 for enhanced colour accuracy. The lighting system comes with a dial to adjust the brightness between 0-100% of the capacity, and it can be used with both AC power and battery for shooting on location, with the Godox DBP-V adapter. These lights also run quiet as they have an optimized heat dissipation system that is bound to be less stressful for the horse. You can also control these lights via the Godox Light smartphone app, which will save you time adjusting each light manually and helping create a more consistent scene.

LITEMONS LA150R Full Colour RGB COB Studio Light

Light Stands

Whether you're going with flash or continuous lighting, you're going to need a sturdy light stand that can bear the weight of the lights and keep them secure at a fixed angle for the duration of the shoot. The PiXAPRO 300cm Air Cushioned Light Stand is a versatile option for light stands as it has a solid aluminium frame that adds to the strength as it can carry a maximum load of 7 kg and the contraption is also highly portable. The highly adjustable stand has three-tier extensions allowing this structure to extend to a height of 300 centimetres with a minimum height of 100 centimetres for multiple settings. It also comes with an interchangeable spigot mount with a universal 5/8" spigot with a 3/8" and 1/4" screw on either end, making it suitable for use with multiple lighting options. If shooting outdoors be sure to pair your stand with a sand bag to ensure the light does not fall over in wind, which may startle the horse and damage your equipment!

300cm Air Cushioned Master Black Light Stand 1/4" And 3/8" Spigot

Softboxes

The PIXAPRO 150cm Large Umbrella Softbox is a large-scale modifier that can be attached to the front of any light, which enables it to reduce the light intensity for a more natural shot. The umbrella softbox has a highly reflective silver interior that allows the light to bounce, promoting maximum light efficiency, while the black exterior prevents light from escaping. Even the octagonal shape of the softbox allows the light to remain within the confines of the umbrella, and the resulting light is diffused, and it aids in reducing sharp shadows.