firesweepranch said:
How do people get the great photographs of cattle without a halter on?
One word:
planning.
Just a few points to consider are....
1.
Background: You need to be conscious of your background and aim to take photos in a space where there is no clutter in the background, no random posts poking out of backs or bellies.
2.
Lighting: there are certain times of day, and kinds of weather, that are ideal for taking photos. Generally first thing in the morning, after the sun has come up, and last thing in the afternoon, before the sun goes down, are the easiest because you can position yourself and the animal without shadows the easiest. An overcast kind of day is also good for taking photos, provided you have a good flash.
3.
Assistance: it's possible to get good photos by yourself, but it makes it much easier if you have some help to get their ears forward, and also to get those feet just right. You need to make sure your help is a cattle person though... getting an animal to move one foot an inch forwards or backwards can be difficult without a halter and takes a certain knack and cow sense. Also someone to do the same from behind can be useful.
4.
TIME: don't ever set yourself a time to get them photographed. They're animals, and they're not going to co-operate. Also, don't hang around waiting for the perfect shot... take a few when they're nearly there so you at least have a back-up. And if it's not going to happen today, go away and come back tomorrow.
A few people have mentioned putting cattle in a smaller pen. While this works, and I do this when I'm taking sale pics, I've always found my best photos have been out in the paddock, waiting for the animal to stand up naturally. Nothing beats this shot, but it takes time, patience and a half-handy eye. Given a choice, this is the way I prefer to photograph cattle.
Can I also say that, I don't photoshop my pictures. The only work I do to them is to crop them so the frame is even on each pic, and I have also lightened the pics in the past if it's been a particularly ordinary day for picturing. Snow can also be a real b!tch to work with! (But that could just be my lack of experience with the stuff!) I disagree with photoshopping an animal ie. topline, underline, legs, feet, brisket etc. I feel this is false advertising if you need to go to this extent (my only exception is to remove the halter, but as I said, I prefer to picture them without it anyway). With my pictures, what you see is what you get.
