Taking hoof photos

[westmanfarrier]

Here is what we (hoofcare professionals) are looking for in a lateral and solar photos. If not done correctly, the picture will show distortion. You are photographing a 3 dimensional subject with a 2 dimensional media. It is very important to be square to your subject.

For a lateral photo (from the side).
-Have the camera parallel to the ground, as close to the ground as possible. You will look silly trying to see through the viewfinder upside down in wierd positions. Luckily I own a Canon that has a rotating viewfinder.
-Make sure the camera is perpendicular to the hoof you are photographing. If you are at an angle front or back there will be distortion.
-Try to get hoof and pastern in photo. Try to have subject fill the frame. I have my camera appx. 18-24" from subject when shooting.
-Have the horse standing square. If the leg is forward, the pastern will look low, if it is back the pastern will look high.
-Have the subject hoof weight bearing. (you can have a helper pick up a hind hoof)
If you want to take a dorsal (frontal) photo the same rules apply. A dorsal photo can be helpful to assess the medial/lateral (inside/outside) balance.

For a solar photo (ground surface)
-Have camera perpendicular to solar surface about 18" away. (a helper to hold the hoof makes things way easier)
-Get from toe to bulbs in photo. Try to frame the hoof square in your picture so it is not pointing southwest or southeast.


http://forum.horse.com/upfiles/8167/B0C6B9FC45AB43CABEDB2174AEE0969F.jpg


http://forum.horse.com/upfiles/8167/E71B896855194648ABFC9F31CAF63D8F.jpg

[westmanfarrier]

Ya'll may have seen this on another site. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to message me.

[westmanfarrier]

same thing goes for body pics. If you want to see if the legs are straight, you need to bring the camera down so you are level with the legs.

[IrisGreen]

Thank you Westman :) I will get some new pictures today :)

[westmanfarrier]

wasn't picking on you, I meant to put this up a couple of weeks ago.

[IrisGreen]

I didn't take it personal, it was good to start a new post about how to take pictures so others can find it easily. Hopefully I will get some good examples of good hoof pictures..We will see.. I will try! :)

[IrisGreen]

ohh, I was going to ask. The lables you use in your pictures. Are the dots a measurment reference? Like there always 2 inches apart or something?

[Joey A]

'Nuther important shot.

http://www.baywindfarm.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=420&pictureid=4599

Again, camera close to/on the ground, both legs bearing equal weight while standing in a natural position. (if they are sound enough to bear equal weight)

[westmanfarrier]

What exactly are you looking for in that shot?

[Joey A]

Stance, toed out / in, and how bad. To me, with this shot, a lateral and a solar you can tell what's going on. Maybe just me.

[westmanfarrier]

Is that horse really that base wide?

[westmanfarrier]

I see where you are going. I usually put the camera about knee level for that shot and try to get the whole leg so I can see where the toe in/out starts (knee, fetlock, pastern, or hoof) or if it is base wide or narrow

[Joey A]

The legs are dead straight from the shoulder down. But she's really toed out.

[lovesfortune]

Can we sticky this?