Artist Statement
This object is a 1/32nd scale model of a black Hanoverian dressage horse (with a stripe and two sock markings) whom I named Magnum’s Mark of Totality (aka Total) after a real black dressage horse, Totilas. Total is a member of my collection of model horses, which I have been growing since I was eight years old. Certain horse models are hard to photograph in my backyard because they are disproportionate to the grass or are in unnatural positions, and Total was one of those horses. I decided instead to build by own version of a light box and photograph him in it. Finding an area of my house with the right lighting to photograph Total against the white background was difficult, and I eventually decided to take my light box outside, where the sunlight made the lighting much better. Photographing Total in my light box was the first time I had ever made a backdrop for a photo, and it was interesting to experiment with lighting to create the best image. Total doesn’t represent a specific horse, but he does represent me as a horseback rider (because I do dressage). His simple elegance is a perfect representation of the sport of dressage.
This object is a 1/32nd scale model of a black Hanoverian dressage horse (with a stripe and two sock markings) whom I named Magnum’s Mark of Totality (aka Total) after a real black dressage horse, Totilas. Total is a member of my collection of model horses, which I have been growing since I was eight years old. Certain horse models are hard to photograph in my backyard because they are disproportionate to the grass or are in unnatural positions, and Total was one of those horses. I decided instead to build by own version of a light box and photograph him in it. Finding an area of my house with the right lighting to photograph Total against the white background was difficult, and I eventually decided to take my light box outside, where the sunlight made the lighting much better. Photographing Total in my light box was the first time I had ever made a backdrop for a photo, and it was interesting to experiment with lighting to create the best image. Total doesn’t represent a specific horse, but he does represent me as a horseback rider (because I do dressage). His simple elegance is a perfect representation of the sport of dressage.
Artist Statement
This object is a toy turtle that I keep on my dresser, whom I named Tortuga. The figurine is tiny and bright green, giving off a cute, cheerful feeling. I have a particular affinity for turtles of all kinds, especially Painted turtles. Although I’m not sure where this turtle fondness came from, I know I’ve felt it for a long time. I have had this toy since I was little, and it has been in my bedroom for as long as I can remember. In fact, I named the little turtle Tortuga because I thought it looked exactly like the red-eared slider turtle named Tortuga at the camp I went to in the summer (although it doesn't resemble a red-eared slider at all). This object was easy to photograph outside because I could use props such as rocks and tree branches that naturally are part of turtle habitats. I liked the way the turtle’s bright green color stood out against the yellowed spring grass and dull tree branches and rocks. Tortuga is easy to spot, and draws the viewer’s eye to him. This tiny turtle is also cute and lovable by anyone!
This object is a toy turtle that I keep on my dresser, whom I named Tortuga. The figurine is tiny and bright green, giving off a cute, cheerful feeling. I have a particular affinity for turtles of all kinds, especially Painted turtles. Although I’m not sure where this turtle fondness came from, I know I’ve felt it for a long time. I have had this toy since I was little, and it has been in my bedroom for as long as I can remember. In fact, I named the little turtle Tortuga because I thought it looked exactly like the red-eared slider turtle named Tortuga at the camp I went to in the summer (although it doesn't resemble a red-eared slider at all). This object was easy to photograph outside because I could use props such as rocks and tree branches that naturally are part of turtle habitats. I liked the way the turtle’s bright green color stood out against the yellowed spring grass and dull tree branches and rocks. Tortuga is easy to spot, and draws the viewer’s eye to him. This tiny turtle is also cute and lovable by anyone!
Artist Statement
This object is another member of my model horse collection, Red October. Red is a 1/32nd scale model of a chestnut warmblood stallion (with a stripe, snip, and two sock markings). I chose to photograph Red on a white background, like Total, because he is a fairly plain model and the simple background makes his color stand out. I tried to photograph Red from unusual angles (like his hooves) to make him more interesting. In the model horse world, there several horses that it seems like every collector has, and Red is one of them. He came in a collection of twelve 1/32nd scale horses, which many collectors (including myself) received as young children before they began collection “big” (1/9th scale) horses. Because of their popularity, these models are regarded by collectors as not very valuable, but horses like Red are still valuable to me, because they remind me of when I began collecting. Red represents my place in the model horse hobby: I’m a fairly novice collector without much experience, and I don’t have the money to spend on rarer horses. I try not to let that discourage me, though. I’m just trying to improve in my model photography and grow my collection, at my own pace!
This object is another member of my model horse collection, Red October. Red is a 1/32nd scale model of a chestnut warmblood stallion (with a stripe, snip, and two sock markings). I chose to photograph Red on a white background, like Total, because he is a fairly plain model and the simple background makes his color stand out. I tried to photograph Red from unusual angles (like his hooves) to make him more interesting. In the model horse world, there several horses that it seems like every collector has, and Red is one of them. He came in a collection of twelve 1/32nd scale horses, which many collectors (including myself) received as young children before they began collection “big” (1/9th scale) horses. Because of their popularity, these models are regarded by collectors as not very valuable, but horses like Red are still valuable to me, because they remind me of when I began collecting. Red represents my place in the model horse hobby: I’m a fairly novice collector without much experience, and I don’t have the money to spend on rarer horses. I try not to let that discourage me, though. I’m just trying to improve in my model photography and grow my collection, at my own pace!
Artist Statement
This object is a Turbinidae seashell (from a Turban snail). I did not personally find this seashell, but my parents found it when they went on a trip to Italy two summers ago. Seashells have always fascinated me, especially when I was little. My aunt, who lived in Florida at the time, would visit us bringing seashells, and I began collecting the shells that she brought me. I believe large, colorful shells like this one are so fascinating and beautiful to me because they are exotic and not found at home in Michigan. World traveling scares me a little bit, and I have only been out of the country twice, but I love having a piece of a different part of the world in my bedroom where I see it every day. I did not want to photograph this shell outside, because my damp, grassy ward is not where the shell is naturally found. I decided to photograph the shell in my makeshift light box because I like how the plain white background causes the dark colored shell to stand out. Finding ways to make each photograph of the shell different was a little bit difficult, until I remembered I could photograph the glassy yellow interior of the shell, which is my favorite part. I especially tried to use the rule of thirds in the shell photographs, and this technique made the images much more interesting and eye catching.
This object is a Turbinidae seashell (from a Turban snail). I did not personally find this seashell, but my parents found it when they went on a trip to Italy two summers ago. Seashells have always fascinated me, especially when I was little. My aunt, who lived in Florida at the time, would visit us bringing seashells, and I began collecting the shells that she brought me. I believe large, colorful shells like this one are so fascinating and beautiful to me because they are exotic and not found at home in Michigan. World traveling scares me a little bit, and I have only been out of the country twice, but I love having a piece of a different part of the world in my bedroom where I see it every day. I did not want to photograph this shell outside, because my damp, grassy ward is not where the shell is naturally found. I decided to photograph the shell in my makeshift light box because I like how the plain white background causes the dark colored shell to stand out. Finding ways to make each photograph of the shell different was a little bit difficult, until I remembered I could photograph the glassy yellow interior of the shell, which is my favorite part. I especially tried to use the rule of thirds in the shell photographs, and this technique made the images much more interesting and eye catching.
Artist Statement
I recently became interested in outdoor model horse photography, and although I have tried to take pictures with of other model horses, these photos with Chester are some of the best ones I taken so far! Chesterfield Galavant is a 1/32nd scale model of a chestnut pinto sporthorse, in mid-jump. I decided to photograph him outside instead of on a white background because I thought he looked strange jumping over nothing. When I was photographing Chester, it was difficult to position him and my camera so there were no houses, cars, or roads in the background. It was also hard to photograph him from angles that hid the plastic stand that allows him to “fly”. I was able to accomplish both of these things i my final photographs, however, and I’m very pleased with how Chester’s pictures turned out! Photographing model horses, especially small-scale horses like this one, can be difficult. In order for the picture to look natural, you have to lower your camera to an the eye level of a 1/32nd scale person (often by laying down on the ground) so as to make it seem like the horse is full sized. It’s very rewarding when you successfully do so, however, because you are able to capture the horse from a new angle, and often notice features that you hadn’t seen before.
I recently became interested in outdoor model horse photography, and although I have tried to take pictures with of other model horses, these photos with Chester are some of the best ones I taken so far! Chesterfield Galavant is a 1/32nd scale model of a chestnut pinto sporthorse, in mid-jump. I decided to photograph him outside instead of on a white background because I thought he looked strange jumping over nothing. When I was photographing Chester, it was difficult to position him and my camera so there were no houses, cars, or roads in the background. It was also hard to photograph him from angles that hid the plastic stand that allows him to “fly”. I was able to accomplish both of these things i my final photographs, however, and I’m very pleased with how Chester’s pictures turned out! Photographing model horses, especially small-scale horses like this one, can be difficult. In order for the picture to look natural, you have to lower your camera to an the eye level of a 1/32nd scale person (often by laying down on the ground) so as to make it seem like the horse is full sized. It’s very rewarding when you successfully do so, however, because you are able to capture the horse from a new angle, and often notice features that you hadn’t seen before.