Royal Purple

Just in time to miss the Queen's 90th birthday, it's Carltonlima Emma!

I spotted some tiny purple flowers and thought they'd make a nice background for Emma. I love how you can see the purple colour reflected on her black coat. Very regal.

New Toys

Recently at camera club, someone brought in a trio of lens extension tubes. To cut a long story short, I thought they would be very useful for tiny horse photography and as they cost only £13, it would be foolish of me not to buy a set.

I started off with a handful of tiny models on the kitchen table. This is my favourite Stablemate Highland Pony, because of her more realistic eyes and rich dun colour.

A Papo Border Collie:

Thinking I was starting to get the hang of this, I fetched an old Breyer box and used it as a background. Little Stormy, who I haven't yet photographed properly, was up first.

Another Highland - I told you I liked them! This one is from the same Stablemate gift set as Prince.

I love how the ponies of this mould always seem to be smiling. So sweet.

Getting everyone together...

Upping the stakes, we go even smaller, to my favourite Mini Whinnie...

Closer...

The macro rings are great fun. Before I felt a bit limited because I couldn't take good headshots, but nothing in ze world can stop me now!

And to finish, a rare behind the scenes shot...

Back on Form

Not to worry, I haven't forgotten about this blog! Life's been pretty hectic lately with lambing and bad Northern Irish weather getting in the way of my model horse photography. So allow me to make a few introductions...

This is Carltonlima Emma (or Emma, for short):

I got her as a present for my 21st birthday. She is very adorable - but then I am a sucker for fluffy native ponies. It was fun to just take photos of the little details in her mould.

She even has a wonderful little beard.

I also love how her mane covers one of her eyes. It all adds up to a very adorable little pony.

The only other model purchase of this year has been this chap, a Schleich Frisian stallion. I was watching a BBC Musketeers marathon when he arrived, so he's called Athos.

Horses that are just standing, I find, are easier to photograph because they look good from every angle.

Here he is with his friend Aramis:

I had the horses and ponies standing on a book (Equus by Tim Flach) on my bed while I lit them with a torch. This was for my camera club's challenge of taking a macro photograph. I've been waiting forever to have an excuse to take photos of my herd for camera club, and at last I have one.

Prince the Stablemate Shire was very macro indeed.

I couldn't resist, however, taking Phoenix's photograph. He's my favourite model of all.

My goal with these shots was to show form, and I think I've achieved that. Hopefully the gap between this and my next post won't be so large.