Photography is an art form. It captures a mood, an individual's character, and a moment in time.

How do you measure the importance of an image? Many of us agree that a photograph tells 1000 words. So, if an ordinary photograph tells 1000 words, how many words will a truly great photograph tell?

I have always maintained that images should be strong, and should speak for themselves. They should leap out at the viewer, and make a statement. And above all, they MUST be high quality! We accept that images can either flatter or hinder an individual's looks when it comes to people. How many times have you looked at a photograph of yourself and thought 'goodness, I actually look nice in that image' (ok, if you're critical like me, you'll do this less than the next question!), and again, how often do you cringe when you see an image of yourself, or someone you know? The camera can make us look a million dollars, but it can also make us look terrible! HORSES ARE NO DIFFERENT! I am constantly amazed by the images that are selected for publication that make a horse look clumsy, or weak, or just plain ugly. And it can do so with horses that are spectacular to look at.

High quality thoroughbred photography should capture speed, power, and the will to win. It should attempt to faithfully portray the swiftness and sheer strength of these athletes. To show the eye of the tiger, and demonstrate the tenacity and courage that great horses show again, and again. It should make the horse look as though it is running at top speed, as indeed they are. Apart from all the usual photographic considerations, does the image you are considering contain forward momentum? Does it imply that the horse is really moving forward, with power? Does it make the horse appear weak, or strong? Does the horse look like it is 'on the forehand', or carrying its weight on its hindquarters where the real power lies?

It is a proven fact that many of the best performed racehorses frequently do NOT possess text book perfect conformation and looks. But they still run fast, which is really the ultimate goal, is it not, in the production of the thoroughbred. So what should we seek to showcase? The horse's conformation, or the fact that it just ran a track record in winning a G1 race? And if you show picture perfect conformation, who will recognise this? Beauty is as beauty does, and beauty does not always run fast. So should we think twice about using just an image that shows the horses conformation, but in all honesty, little else? My personal opinion on this issue is absolutely. And that there is very little point in sticking to images that display a quality that very few people will pick up, AND that is visually uninteresting.

Take the time to think about the images you are about to select. Are they sharp? Are they high quality? Do they leap out at you? Does the horse looks like it is really traveling? And do they inspire any feeling? Any emotion? Will they provide the viewer with a connection, to both the photograph, and the horse itself?

Good imagery is absolutely worth paying for. Not all images are the same. NOT all photographers are the same......The Image is Everything.

© Bronwen Healy Photography 2009

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