Section 03 · Technique

Photography Tips

47 guides

Fast subjects, reflective dust and deep coats expose weak technique quickly. These guides keep frames sharp, readable and consistent.

All photography tips

Showing 13–24 of 47
Photography Model Calls and Working With Models Photography Tips Guide

Photography Model Calls and Working With Models

Human subjects play a central role in nearly every photography venture, regardless of genre. Whether you are assembling a personal portfolio, creating commercial assets, or building a library of stock images, knowing how to locate and collaborate with models is an essential skill for photographers.

4 min readMarlowe Hayes
How Tight Should a Horse’s Girth Be? for More Consistent Horse Photography Photography Tips Guide

How Tight Should a Horse’s Girth Be? for More Consistent Horse Photography

Whether you're working with an English saddle or a Western rig, the strap that holds your saddle in place goes by different names — girth or cinch — but both serve the same essential purpose. Understanding how to fit this strap correctly matters not just for your horse's comfort and safety, but also for the quality of your equine photography, since a well-fitted saddle keeps your horse relaxed and steady in the frame.

5 min readMarlowe Hayes
Is Your Sporthorse's Respiratory System Keeping Up? A Guide to Choosing the Right Support Photography Tips Guide

Is Your Sporthorse's Respiratory System Keeping Up? A Guide to Choosing the Right Support

Every equine athlete deserves clear breathing, but that doesn't automatically require a supplement. The real starting point mirrors what veterinarians and equine nutritionists recommend: identify what's irritating this particular horse's airways, then confirm the daily management routine already tackles the most obvious triggers.

6 min readMarlowe Hayes
Ask Team Prac — How to Best Warm Up and Cool Down for Cross Country Photography Tips Guide

Ask Team Prac — How to Best Warm Up and Cool Down for Cross Country

A proper warm-up before a cross-country round isn’t just about loosening muscles—it’s about synchronizing your horse’s responsiveness with the demands of the course. You want to confirm that your aids are clear and effective, especially when it comes to steering and pace management. This alignment ensures the horse is mentally sharp and physically ready from the very first fence.

4 min readMarlowe Hayes
Built to Last for More Consistent Horse Photography Photography Tips Guide

Built to Last for More Consistent Horse Photography

Whether you ride casually on weekends or compete at a high level, preparing your horse appropriately for the demands of the task is essential not only for immediate performance but also for their long-term health and soundness. A well-designed conditioning program takes into account the individual horse’s age, experience level, discipline goals, and overall physical condition.

4 min readMarlowe Hayes
Take the Stress Out of Flying Lead Changes Photography Tips Guide

Take the Stress Out of Flying Lead Changes

During the moment of suspension, he changes the sequence of his footsteps so that the left front and hind legs now lead. ) In a natural setting, the horse's head stays level and his back and neck remain soft and relaxed. His hips and shoulders remain absolutely aligned throughout the process.

6 min readMarlowe Hayes
How to Recover Blown Out Skies in Equine Photography Photography Tips Guide

How to Recover Blown Out Skies in Equine Photography

Recovering a blown-out sky in equine photography often starts with subtle adjustments in Adobe Camera Raw or Lightroom. By lowering the highlights and reducing the luminance of blues in the Color Mixer, you can restore depth to the sky without flattening your subject. These same techniques apply seamlessly within Lightroom, giving you flexible control over the final image.

4 min readMarlowe Hayes
How to Safely and Confidently Master the Gallop Photography Tips Guide

How to Safely and Confidently Master the Gallop

I’ve lived most of my life at the gallop—the important parts, anyway. My earliest memories are of horses, and speed is the constant thread through them. While I appreciate the walk for muscle, the trot for balance, and even the canter for conditioning, nothing compares to the unique harmony of the gallop.

4 min readMarlowe Hayes
Why Leg Before Rein is Crucial for More Consistent Horse Photography Photography Tips Guide

Why Leg Before Rein is Crucial for More Consistent Horse Photography

One of the most important principles of riding at any level is that rein aids should never be used in isolation from leg aids. Too often, beginners are taught to treat legs solely as a forward cue and reins as turn-and-stop controls, which trains a reactive horse rather than a balanced one.

5 min readMarlowe Hayes
Equestrian Sport Is Under Scrutiny. Can Science Save It? Photography Tips Guide

Equestrian Sport Is Under Scrutiny. Can Science Save It?

After major competitions, graphic photos flood social media feeds. Petitions circulate demanding horses be removed from the Olympic Games. Decades of quiet resentment have finally boiled over, with spectators and advocates alike demanding answers about how equine athletes are trained, managed, and treated behind closed doors.

6 min readMarlowe Hayes