Black and White Horse Photography seems to be a leaning direction for me. As I reflected back this year to my exhibits and displays at Van Gogh’s Ear Gallery, The Phippen Western Art Museum, Talking Rock Ranch and even my own website and social media posts- I noticed a theme. The theme was definitively black and white horse photography. In a newsletter I sent out a few weeks ago I even featured black and white horse themed art.
Black and White Horse Photography
So, my question to myself is why these black and white horse photos resonate so much with me. There was a time when I was into vibrant colors and rich over saturation in my horse art. Now I notice I want to be soothed and gentler on the viewers eyes. Black and White Horse photos are more engaging, allowing the viewer to settle in and really study the horse. Black and White somehow allows the viewer to notice all the details of the mane, the eye and especially the muscle structure. Not being distracted by color and too much action and activity presents a sense of calmness and connection. I present my black and white horse photos mostly with just head shots. It may be a windy day with a slight breeze moving the mane and the horse closing his eyes and the wind crosses over him.
Stallion Breeze
Now, don’t get me wrong, I love crazy action horse photos and I do love color but the black and white horse photos brings me peace and solace. I guess as we come closer to end of 2020 and many of us have experienced solitude and quiet due to Covid restrictions, the black and white is just less complicated.
At the Hold Your Horses 2020 exhibit and sale at The Phippen Western Museum I featured two black and white horse photos taken at Circle L Animal Rescue close to my home. The one below has a sepia tone filter applied but still a variation away from color.
Circle L Buddies
Check out the before and after from this photo of several Arabian Horses- although they were galloping, the black and white photo shows much more detail of the horse and in my opinion pulls the viewer in for a longer look. By converting this to black and white, it pulls the eye into the center to really notice the “Horse in the Middle”.
Arabian Horses
As I wrote this blog, I decided to create a Black and White Horse Photo Gallery to add to my website so that these images can be easier to find for those looking for just black and white horse photos.
Jody Miller is a professional photographer specializing in Horse Photography, Equine Photography, and Equestrian photography. Her work can be viewed online here in her gallery section, and she is also featured at these Arizona Galleries: Van Gogh’s Ear Gallery on Whiskey Row in Prescott, AZ and Coops Coffee House at Talking Rock Ranch. Note cards and Horse Photo Face Masks are also available at the Gift Shop of The Phippen Western Art Museum