Rearing horse at sunset

Back in the 90’s, this image was used on nationwide (U.S.) billboards advertising Busch beer. When you sell images through stock photo agencies, you never know when or how they will be used. I arranged this image by hiring a horse trainer who had trained this particular horse to rear on command. I photographed it against a white sky purposely with the intention of adding a dynamic background. The mountains were photographed in Washington state at sunset. I added the reflection in Photoshop to suggest a large lake then composited the horse, along with the ground and the plants, in front of the background. I was very happy with the fact that the sheen on the horse's back is seemingly reflecting the bright sky. That wasn't planned. It just worked out.