Need help an tips to take better pictures , getting ready for a sale...

[Freddy]

I haven't figured out the correct lighting on the pictures ,  the first picture is the original the second one I lightened some to make more visible, which one do you like the best. I know probly would have been nice to have better background but didn't work, heis very alert .

 

[knabe]

have a spot lined up that has a good background around 10 in the morning.  use a flash, yes, even in the daylight on black cattle.  probably the person moving the cattle is more important than taking pictures.  they need to be good at setting them up. it looks like you are kneeling down good.  get pickier on feet placement.  get the nearside rear leg a little more back, and in my opinion, it's ok if it's beyond vertical towards the rear.  there are little tricks to make them longer fronted, look thicker etc depending on little moves of perspective.  sometimes, if your camera can do it, do quick shots and move the camera around in a 1 foot circle till you know where you need to be.  you notice how the shadow of the ears is going down?  that's what having the sun low in the sky eliminates.  it also lightens up the darker spots that are hidden when the sun is up high.

by the way, the first picture lighting looks better in my opinion.  also, the light patch on the shoulder is distracting.  otherwise nice calf!

 

[Freddy]

Thanks very much Knabe, this is very helpful an really appreciate the help. I  used to travel all over when younger clipping cattle, now that I'm older I really enjoy taking pictures an in this business good ones are very helpful. If not to much bother I put a full brother on here with different feet placement

 

[JSchroeder]

If you're taking pictures of just a few calves the 10AM advice is good.  There's no way most of the detailed catalogs would get done if photographers stuck to that though.

 

[dori36]

Thanks very much Knabe, this is very helpful an really appreciate the help. I  used to travel all over when younger clipping cattle, now that I'm older I really enjoy taking pictures an in this business good ones are very helpful. If not to much bother I put a full brother on here with different feet placement

As you've discovered, photographing black cattle can be very challenging.  I agree w/Knabe on the first two pics - I prefer the first one.  The second one looks washed out.  On this new one of the full brother, I think that, although you took his suggestion on trying to get the feet placed, I think you went a little too far.  He's a little stretched out and with the near leg that far back, he looks a little straight in the stifle.  I've attached a couple that I think show a pretty good example of feet/legs placement.  One was in the pasture with a not very good background.  The cow just happened to be standing right and I just happened to have my camera handy.  Not an ideal background for her, either, but you can still see what she looks like.  (Of course, her nice white belt doesn't hurt, either!)  The second one is a Browarny taken at the NILE in 2007.  Obviously, it's easy to get the great shot when a good handler is on the halter and a good professional is taking the pic.  But it gives you a look at good placement and something to shoot for in the corral. I also find that when I go out with the express purpose of "getting the great picture", it rarely works out.  I carry my camera or, at least have it handy, any time I'm out with cattle.  They tend to place themselves in good poses much of the time especially when they're wondering what I'm doing out there!  I love your cattle, btw!

 

[dori36]

If you're taking pictures of just a few calves the 10AM advice is good.  There's no way most of the detailed catalogs would get done if photographers stuck to that though.

Agreed.  But if you can't get out at 10 am, at the very least be sure the sun is behind you so it's shining on the side of the cow you're trying to photograph.  Even better is to shoot on a cloudy day.

 

[Freddy]

I took some more pictures an tried to use your advise, the first picture I switched  my camers to a slower amperture  because it was cloudy an was just experimenting.  On the next two it was about 4;00  pm on the setting on camera I usually use , our pen is set up so that usually the pictures are taken East  (without the hill an trees) West (with hills trees an a few cattle ) the sky is cloudy an I forgot to use any flash an there was definitely a difference in the amount of light to the east (more light)  than to the west .  An what is the best way to use the flash , I guess I 'm lost on that ..Jamie