Through A Master's Lens
Horse Photo #1
Subject: A herd owned by the Beggs Ranch.
Location: Beggs Ranch, Post, Texas.
Time of day: About 7 to 8 p.m.
Time of year: June.
Distance/angle: I was about 150 to 200 feet from the horses, at various angles to their body positions.
Lighting: Horses are backlit in warm, summer-evening light.
Equipment: Canon 400 millimeter, F2.8 lens on a Canon EOSIN body.
Film: Kodak E105.
Aperture setting (f-stop): 5.6.
Shutter speed: 1/500 of a second.
What I was looking for: Photographs of ranch horses and cowboys for my book, The Texas Cowboys.
How I got the photo: The cowboys were milling around with the horses, waiting to bring them in. We were waiting for the sun to come out. It'd been spectacularly dark all day, with foreboding clouds. Suddenly the light broke, and danced all over everything, and I was able to capture that. I was at the right place at the right time.
What I like about the photo: I feel this is the sexiest horse picture I've ever taken. It's just so gorgeous.
What I wish I'd done differently: I'd have to say nothing. It's one of the finest horse photos I've ever gotten to take. It'll stand out in my mind forever.
Top tips for amateur shutterbugs: Don't fall for the misconception that you have to shoot lots of film for one good photo. As a professional, about 75 percent of my horse photos are good, and with practice, you can get your percentage up, too. Look for intricate details--for instance, a cowboy guiding a galloping horse with his pinkie. Such nuances are what make photography fun.
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Horse Photo #2
Subject: The remuda owned by LX Ranch.
Location: LX Ranch, Amarillo, Texas.
Time of day: About 3 to 4 p.m.
Time of year: February.
Distance/angle: I was about 150 feet from the horses, at various angles to their body positions.
Lighting: Horses are backlit in harsh winter light.
Equipment: Canon 400-milimeter, F2.8 lens on Canon EOSIN body.
Film: Kodak E105.
Aperture setting (f-stop): 4.5.
Shutter speed: 1/500 of a second.
What I was looking for: A silhouette of horses splashing through the water to use in my book, The Texas Cowboys.
How I got the photo: The cowboys were going out to get the remuda, so I waited for them in the spot where they were going to bring the horses across the stream. Then I was lucky enough to get the shot.
What I like about the photo: This is one of my favorite photos because of the way the horses are backlit. Horses coming through water is a very powerful image.
What I wish I'd done differently: I might've liked it better if the light were a little softer--harsh winter light is tough to deal with, as it can cause too much glare in the photo. But that's what happens at that time of year.
More tips for amateur shutterbugs: The most important thing is to know how natural light is going to affect your photo. Learn to understand light so you're able to be there at the right time to capture it--some of the moments are literally fleeting. To do so, study the effects of different kinds of light on your photography. Invest in quality equipment, so you can concentrate on lighting and composition.
For an interview with David Stoecklein, see "Inner Glimpse," Horse & Rider, April 2003.
