Second Shooter

Jump Timing

Jumping: Square knees after initial takeoff, before descending. This can change depending on height of jump and way they jump. Landing shots are the best when horse is about to touch the ground but hasn't yet.

For private client photography, I shoot in burst on high speed

Trot Timing A

Horse’s leg about to or just beginning to touch the ground (straight front leg with two diagonal hooves almost touching) Ideally, the inside leg is forward so the rider is sitting instead of standing while posting the trot.

I have found the best way for me to know when to time the trot correctly is to stare at just the front inside leg and click the button when the hoof is just about to touch the ground

Trot Timing B

Front leg is bent. Able to see the knee action. Opposite front leg is fully connected to the ground.

Ideally the inside leg is forward so the rider is sitting instead of standing while posting the trot.

Used more in Dressage. Not as ideal in Hunters.

cantering timing

Horse's outside back leg being the only one on the ground or all legs off the ground. You do not want a cantering shot of only the front leg touching.

Take the photo when the horse rocks upwards. When the entire front half of the horses body is launched up, I click the photo.

Walk Timing

Yes, even the walk has a timing!

Front leg almost touching the ground or very very slightly touching. I think it is very ugly when all the horses weight is on its front leg or the front leg is just leaving the ground and its legs look broken

Lighting- Full Sun

I prefer full sun or full backlit. Get the sun directly behind you or directly behind the horse. The less sun and shadow on a horses body at the same time, the better, unless intentional for a reason.

Lighting- Backlit

Horse and jump is completely shaded. Giving them almost a lowly effect from the sun just on the outside of the horse.

Full Fence

The whole fence is in the photo with space above rider's head and below the jump. Do NOT cut off standards.

Over the top

Zoomed in to the top rails of the fence. Horizontal. Rider's head still has space above.

Works better for jumpers. Hunter's don't love this usually.

Vertical

The horse takes up majority of the photo and is in the middle. The jump is mostly cut off.

"Correct" angle allows you to see the front of the horses face but not so straight on that you can see both the rider's boots.

perspective

A difficult angle to achieve. You want to be enough to the side that the rider's butt isn't in the frame but not so far to the side that the standards block the horse's head or legs.