A few things...
1st, I purposely didn't give too many of my own thoughts about the pics or what I planned to do with these pics so that I would get more critical opinions. Looks like it worked & I thank you for offering them!
2nd, I want to point out that I was in a big hurry & that's why I elected to use the halter so that I could snap a few quick ones. However, I did take a couple of minutes to blow her off a little 1st. Being in a hurry & taking pictures is never a good combination!!
3rd, I really liked things about all these pictures, but I wasn't overly blown away with any of them & I didn't know if others would like what I liked. So, I wanted to seek out other opinions. That way I would know for sure which one to send out. My favorite was #1 & it had the best sunlight, but I didn't like her standing with the halter across her face and if I had made her stand the other direction while still in the sunlight, she would've been standing slightly downhill, which I didn't want either. I thought that #1, while certainly not perfect, was the best comprise, but I didn't think that the others were all that bad, just not that great.
4th, The comments in this thread were not only beneficial to me, but I think that many others on this board, could benefit by reading all of the comments in this thread about taking cattle pics, etc... just a lot of good advice from everyone!! Once again, thank you!!
5th, I now know not to even think about using any of them in a big promotional ad, as is, but that wasn't really my main purpose when I was taking them. I'm going to crop #1 & send it out. If I can get it cropped & maybe edited, it might be better for usage on a website, AD, etc.
6th, I am certainly not a professional photographer, but I enjoy taking my own cattle pics. Because I am not a pro, I am always happy to get helpful tips from others & hope that I can keep on learning & getting better & better at it.
Jill... The main purpose of these pics is that I have somebody who is very interested in this heifer & needed to send some pics of her to some other people too. So mostly I was looking for a pic to send out with an email attachment, but I might use a small version of pic #1 on a website, etc., especially cropped & maybe some editing. BTW, I agree with you about the heifer looking better in #1 & I also agree that cropping it would help it a lot. Thank you for reassuring me!! As I mentioned above, I really don't like her halter across her face in pic #1 & as Dori mentioned it is pulling it up too much toward her eye. Off course, besides the halter issue, the gate in the background isn't the best either, but without someone to hold her & since I couldn't tie her to the electric fence, it was the best option at the time & it was fast too, which was important.
Knabe... Thanks for the really good advice RE the flash, etc. I've got a few light stands & probably should've used them... it wouldn't have taken that long to run an extention cord & set them up... I do think that would really help & I'll remember that for future reference. I agree that good lighting is important. I also agree about the background, but as I mentioned, lack of time & help was a big issue here & at that location we use all electric fencing, so the gate was the only good place to tie her. I will try for a better one in the future.
Jason... Thanks. I appreciate it & I may contact you to see what you could do, etc. I really need to break down & buy a photoshop program, etc. Maybe if I sell this heifer I can do some computer/program upgrading that I've been wanting to do.
BTW, my buddy is starting up a website for Railroad Antique Actions & Sales & if it takes off like we think it might (so far, it's getting lots of interest), we will both have to learn a lot more about modern technology.
CPL... Thanks! Yes, she is a fullblood (100%) Lowline. 6 1/2 months old in the picture. She is also a daughter of my bull to the left, BCC Doc Holliday 04P.
showfordough... Thanks!
Dori... Thanks! I agree with you that the halter is a bit distracting in picture #1, especially since I took the pic of the exhibitors side of the heifer. A black halter (I have several at the other barn) probably would have helped blend into the heifer better. I don't think it distracts too much in the other pics, but I agree that a solid black one would blend in better. BTW, I really like pink halters on heifers while in the display area... maybe I'm a bit weird, but I like them... probably not the best for pics though. I also agree about it pulling up too close to the eye in pic #1 & I probably should've adjusted it down a little, but those halters are bad about doing that, I was in a hurry & I really wasn't paying too much attention... One thing about a pic... it will tell on you!! (lol) If I had more time, I may have tried the head at different heights & that is certainly a very good point to consider & glad that you mentioned it, but I was in a big hurry (I know you shouldn't take them when you are in a big hurry), so I just tied her up & it looked good enough. It will have to do for now, but in a week or 2 when things slow down & I catch a sunny day, I may attempt to take a better one... maybe even out in a lot without the halter.
farmboy... Thanks! I really like pink halters on heifers. I tend to agree with you, except for pic #1. However, cropping & possibly editing, could probably help reduce that distraction factor in #1.
Thanks again everyone for stepping up & offering advice. I had a hunch about it being #1, but I wanted assurance & knew that I'd get really good advice on here.
You guys & gals are all A+++ in my book! (clapping) If anybody else wants to chime in, that would be greatly appreciated too.
