Outtakes, Equine Version

I've been working on the winter issue of our print newsletter this week and the last photo we needed was, of course, the one with Alayne and me with one of our animals for the "ranch letter."  We hadn't done a horse in a while, so we decided it was time to feature our beautiful blind mare Lena again.  This meant there were plenty of outtakes -- as usual!

Now, the problem with having a horse in the photo is ... the ears.  Yes.  I want their ears facing forward, not backward or sideways or one forward and one backward.  But, you see, the horse knows a) there is a camera present and b) that I want both ears facing forward and c) that there are any number of ear positions possible that don't involve both facing forward.  It's difficult enough to get two people both looking at the camera in the right way, but as you've seen from previous outtakes, getting the animal looking just right adds to the challenge.  And when you add a pair of multi-directional swiveling horse ears ... well, all bets are off.  So here is a progression of scenes from the photo session we did a few days ago, which resulted in the "that's it!" photo above that we will use in the newsletter (cropped to center us in it). 

The photos were taken by Kate P., our wonderful new part-time animal care employee.  Alayne had already delivered "the speech" to Kate about what the photo session would be like and what to expect.  Kate was gracious and patient through the entire thing -- thank you, Kate!

So we start with me framing the shot I'm looking for.  I ask Miss Marker to stand just-so in the spot:

Then we add horse ... please note ears aerodynamically positioned for drag-racing:

Next I hand the camera to Kate and step into shot ... please appreciate the one-forward/one-backward ear arrangement:

Then Lena reverses those ears, just to see if I notice out of the corner of my eye:

That's blind Cash in the background, wondering what those strange people are doing with his Aunt Lena.

I decide to switch things around and ask Miss Marker to hold the horse while I look at different framing ... and ears have flipped again:

Then I get the perfect shot of horse (look at those ears!) and woman ... but alas, someone's missing from the scene:

Lena is very confused by this point, as are Miss Marker and Kate, but all hang in there.

I decided I liked the original framing better and returned to the scene ... though I can't recall why both of us were looking at Lena this way (click on photo for full effect).  She's looking great, we're the ones screwing up the shot:

Then I discovered that if I blew into Lena's ear, she'd flick both ears forward:

But she fell for that trick only once.  (Smart horse, eh?)

Finally, shot No. 65 of 68 was the one:

Lena was very relieved to have her halter taken off so she could resume grazing.  I'm sure she was muttering to herself as she walked away, "What was that all about?  And what's wrong with my ears, anyway?"

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Still 2nd place as of Thursday -- but it's close!

Please keep voting for the sanctuary in the Shelter Challenge -- the votes are adding up!  And remember, you can vote every day, so consider bookmarking the voting page to make it easy.

You can vote in the Shelter Challenge here.

Please note:  Use Rolling Dog Ranch for our name and NH for the state and our listing will come up.

 It was thanks to all of your amazing votes that we won the $20,000 Grand Prize in the final Shelter Challenge of 2009, and we came in fourth nationwide in the first Shelter Challenge earlier this year, winning $3,000.  So this is serious money and can really make a difference for our disabled animals!  Please help us win this round of the contest by voting every day, and by encouraging your family, friends and colleagues to vote every day, too.  Thank you!

Comments

[Anna]

When I go to photograph horses I keep a small wrapped peppermint in my pocket. They put their ears up at the crinkly noise, and plus, when they're good, they get a little treat

[ginger]

You are so funny. I don't think many of us that actually get the newsletter would even notice if Lena's ears were facing foward. She's a sweetheart for being so patient as well as Kate & Alayne! I got several laughs out of this. Thanks!
Big hugs all around,
ginger, Tobias & Tlingit

[Kathleen Rivard]

Now you did it, Linda!....Had to mention those assymetrical hills in the background. That will be Steve's next task. I love the picture of Lena and Alayne. I think Lena is muttering something under her breath to Alayne.

[Debbie Burke]

Steve, you crack me up and keep me smiling for the rest of the day. Like Moon Rani, I love the outtakes better than the final product. It's not the destination, but the journey that matters :)

[Tonya]

LOL! I never gave horse ears a thought before. Of course I knew they moved, but I was unware of their range and their always-in-motion nature. Great post!

[Phyllis Snow]

Cute set of pictures. Interesting, too, about the horse ears. Tell Lena thanks from me.

I DO enjoy your blog posts!

[Linda]

Everyone looks so incredibly handsome and perfect! Now if you could just do something about those assymetrical hills in the background...

[Colleen & In Memory of Sweet Kitty Erin]

I love reading your blogs. I laugh so hard at your humor! I was almost crying I was laughing so hard at the sequence of events!!

I bet Cash asked Lena a few questions about what the heck was going on! Wonder what that conversation was like!! LOL!

[consuelo Larrabee (seattle)]

Love your humor... & writing skills. It's not easy to make this photo episode as funny in print as it was in real life!

[Linda]

Great Foto and Commentary!

[Anne in Florida]

WOW, did Cash grow up good looking or what!! Please put in a closer-up pic of him, he looks to be a stunnng horse!! Is someone still riding him to keep him in practice?? His guardian angel did a really great job getting that little boy to you. It is nice to see he looks out for his Aunt Lena when she is pressed into the odd jobs of ranch life. I'm sure he asked her all kinds of questions about what you were doing. I'd love to hear her take on all the takes (and outtakes);)

[Kathie Taylor & Lee Purcell]

Thanks for the great start to my day. You had me laughing so hard...I snorted! And yes, I'm sure Lena thinks you're nuts. But hey, what's wrong with a little OCD. I've got a touch myself!

[Dee in KY]

Love reading your work in the morning. Always brings a smile to my face. Especially today. Wow, what patient folks you are to take that many shots. Must admit, you did a good job!

[Matt Jenkins]

haha, your photos are cute. I go through this all the time trying to get pictures of our horses. Let alone try to get two of them in the picture! I couldn't imagine any more than two!

[Ann]

Steve, the way you write is wonderful, this blog made me smile and laugh! Those pictures are so great, I just love the sequence of "events". But it's all worth it for that wonderful photo of you, Alayne and Lena!

* Please keep voting! Use more than one browser if you have them...the 3rd place shelter is gaining fast! *

[Heidi, Emmett the Beagle, and Moxie the kitty]

Everyone PLEASE VOTE!!! RDR is barely hanging on to 2nd place, and the difference between 2nd and 3rd place prizes is $3000 - that's a lot of money that could go to a lot of good for the animals! Please keep voting to keep them in 2nd place!!!

[Shirley * James/Portland, OR]

What fun to see BOTH OF YOU in the blog!! It certainly is gorgeous!

[Lynda]

LOL !!

[Moon Rani]

Another hilarious newsletter sequence! Somehow I always like the outtakes more than the perfect shot. I love the shot where you're both glaring at Lena; it looks like she just talked about your mama!

[Laura, Levi & Timmy]

Great photos!! Ahh Lena, Alayne and Kate, I feel for you all!! Been there done that! It's strange to see all that green grass. The fall colors are awesome. I thought that was Cash in the background! Typical of him to try and get in the picture! I have to say I am jealous of Kate who gets to work with all my furry friends...Oh how I miss them!! (You too Steve/Alayne!)