Don’t Shoot the Horses

Before you get too upset the reference is to photography not weaponry

Have you ever had, what you thought was a fabulous idea - yet everyone around you shoots you down and tells you “Don’t Do It”.

The “naysayers” tell you it’s a crazy idea that will never work, it’s just not done. It’s a waste of time, effort and money. They try to crush your dreams. 

Maybe they have a valid point of view, they may even be right. 

This was the advice Linda received when she started not just noticing but photographing “Equine Expressions”. For most of the time horses have a soft docile expression but if you watch very carefully you will quickly become aware of just how many facial expressions they are capable of. These “faces” range from the good, the bad to the downright ugly.  

Fascinated by the variety and sometimes ferocity of these fleeting glimpses of equine personality, she started to capture them on film.

At the risk of damaging her career and reputation as an equine photographer Linda has published what her peers told her to delete in her new book “Don’t Shoot the Horses”.

 She broke the unwritten rule amongst equine photographers that insists you “never ever photograph a horse with his mouth open, teeth bared,  ears pinned ” looking mean or angry. Popular consensus is that you must strive to capture that moment when the horse rounds and softens, exhibits a pleasing outline and expression. After all, those are the kind of pictures owners want and will pay good money for.

Her friends and family told her not to do it - and if you must capture those expressions please keep them to yourself and don’t show anyone. You will only offend people. 

Should Linda listened to their sound advice?

Or follow her gut instinct to record and publish the truth?

What would you do ?

To learn more about the book and see a few preview pages visit www.TheHorseWatcher.com  and go to the “books” page