TAKING PHOTOS
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Use a plain background that does not distract from your model.
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Make sure the model takes up most of the photo, but keep the ears, nose and tail in the frame.
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Take your photo of your model standing on a flat surface where feet are visible and not in grass or dirt.
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Take your photo from “eye level” of a person in scale with the model.
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The judges need to see the model straight-on from the side. Do not angle the model.
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Angle your lighting to eliminate shadows.
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Please be sure your model is free from dust, lint, and pet hair.
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Here are links to photos and videos with more photo-taking help.
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Cindy Evans-Yates Article: A great primer with examples of good and poor photos.
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Breyer/Mindy Berg Article: Simple description of how to construct more complex and appealing photos from one of the hobby's best photographers.
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Stormy Strike YouTube Video: This almost comprehensive video covers all the important elements including lighting, backgrounds, camera angles.
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Daisy Stalls Video: This video shows photo shoots outdoors and indoors, and includes details such as working with photo software to crop and brighten the image.
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Buxton Studio Photo: Another great photographer, Jennifer Buxton, shows us her photo studio.
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Nikki Button's Set-Up: In this Mares in Black video at about 44:30, hobby artist Nikki shows the lights she uses for her photos and describes the camera she uses.
PHOTO SIZES AND EDITING
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The OMHPS site appears to display photos at widths no wider than 800 pixels and no taller than about 600 pixels. If you want your photo uploading to go more quickly, resize your photos so they are no more than 1000 pixels wide.
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No matter what type of device you use to take pictures, you will probably not get a great image right out of the device. You can use software to adjust tone, contrast, saturation, brightness, and crop or straighten the photo.
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Two free online photo editing applications are Pixlr and Canva.
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The most popular apps for purchase are Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop, $15-23 per month.
BREED AND COLOR RESEARCH
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Documentation Research: Oklahoma State has an impressive, accurate list of horse breeds and photos and information about each one. If you are using a book, make sure that it is not outdated.
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Picking Breeds: Oklahoma State's site is a good resource for picking breeds. The International Pedigree Assignment Research Association Facebook group members are expert at picking breeds for models and can help you, if you provide a photo or tell the group what model you have.
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Color Research: Lesli Kathman's Coat Color Guide identifies the colors available for most well-known breeds and tells you whether the color is rare, historical, or non-existent.
