Read the original article on Wallpaper.com here...

by Nick Compton. Photos Courtesy Galerie Perrotin.

How do you get four horses most of the way up the Eiffel Tower? In the lift, two at a time, of course. We know this for certain because the Italian artist Paola Pivi has done it. And to otherworldly effect.

Read more: Horsing around: Paola Pivi reaches new heights at the Eiffel Tower

By Candace Chaney, Contributing Culture Writer

Robert Vavra is one of the most famous horse photographers in the world, but he doesn't see himself that way.

"I view myself more as an artist and storyteller," says Vavra, 76, who runs two miles a day and has the voice of a man decades younger.

The artistry has made his work an international success, with decades of endurance. Romantic, mythical and boldly evocative, Vavra's photographic compositions of horses seem like something from a magical storybook come to life.

"My aim is to capture the true romance and beauty of the horse," says Vavra, something he has done as an author and photographer of nearly 40 books whose subjects span continents and six decades.

On Saturday, the International Museum of the Horse at the Kentucky Horse Park will open Vavra's Vision: The Equine Images of Robert Vavra, the first major retrospective of Vavra's 60-year career as an equine photographer. It continues through May 30.

Read more: First Retrospective by Robert Vavra, horse photographer nonpareil

By Ann S. Gordon, CPP
Read the original article on Professional Photographer here...

When I was 8 years old, I was photographing horses with my Brownie Flash Six-20. The camera had two settings: 5 to 10 feet and “Beyond 10 feet,” which I probably didn’t use reliably. The horses in those images had bulbous noses, large heads, and very long back legs.

Today, more than 50 years later and having photographed hundreds of equines in my animal portraiture business, I know how to make the animals look their best and reflect the breed or equestrian sport their owners enjoy.

Even if you don't specialize in animal photography, you may be asked by clients to include a horse in a portrait, as was a friend of mine recently. If so, you’ll find the following tips helpful in capturing wonderful images of the large, easily distorted, incredibly beautiful animal that is the horse.

1. Use a long lens. Try a 200mm or 300mm lens, and stand back as far as 1 foot per millimeter. In other words, when using a 200mm lens, shoot from 150 to 200 feet. This helps minimize the distortion that can happen when photographing such a large animal.

2. Use a fast shutter speed. A minimum of 1/250 to 1/500 second is best. You can use shutter priority to make sure things don’t blur if you’re working in an arena where the light is constantly changing, but I like to use my manual setting for most things. Even with a standing horse, those ears move, as does the tail.

3. Have an assistant. You’ll need one to make noises, move horse feet, rattle buckets, and hold onto a fractious horse so the owner can look relaxed. In order to keep the animal calm, the assistant needs to be very comfortable with horses.

4. Get down. Your lens should be at the mid-shoulder of the horse. Any higher than that, and the animal’s legs will look short. If you’re too low, the legs will appear long—really long. I wear gel kneepads so I can move quickly without hurting myself.

Read more: Horse Sense: 12 Tricks for Better Equine Photography

Horses are a popular subject for sculptors as they are beautiful and majestic creatures. Equine sculptures can be found in public spaces all over the world, from parks and gardens to museums and galleries.

Equine sculptures can be realistic or abstract. Realistic equine sculptures often depict horses in a natural pose, such as grazing or galloping. Abstract equine sculptures may be more stylized or geometric.

Equine sculptures can be made from a variety of materials, including stone, metal, wood, and clay. Stone and metal are popular choices for equine sculptures, as they are durable and can withstand the elements. Wood and clay are also popular choices, but they are more fragile and require more care.

Equine sculpture is a diverse and fascinating art form. It can be used to depict the beauty and power of horses, as well as to explore more complex themes such as movement, freedom, and the relationship between humans and animals.

Here are some additional characteristics of equine sculpture:

• Equine sculptures often capture the horse's movement and grace.
• Equine sculptures can be used to express a variety of emotions, such as joy, power, and beauty.
• Equine sculptures can be used to tell stories, such as the story of a horse and its rider or the story of a particular horse breed.
• Equine sculptures can be used to create a sense of place, such as a sculpture of a wild horse herd in the American West.

Equine sculpture is a beautiful and expressive art form that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.

Please note: The artwork shown here are representative images and not necessarily those of the artists listed. The locations are only as a reference since artists often travel for commissioned work. Please contact the artist directly regarding your specific location needs.

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