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HotHolly · **Flashing the cows - help! -** 03-23-2009, 07:16 PM

OK, you all know Im a NYer. So feel free to laugh at me while I ask this silly question.

Tomorrow I am shooting an E-session at a dairy. I have to say Im outa my element. I still say, "wow, a cow!" when I see one. We had cows in NY, but they arent usually wandering around the deli or riding the subway. In other words, they were so far away, I couldnt see them - like in Jersey. lol.

Anyway, they have Holsteins. I know what those are! They want the cows in the shots. The joining of their families apparently brings together a dairy and a ranch. Cows=important.

I was wondering if I put a flash by a cow - will it get spooked? Has anyone tried flashing a cow? I prefer not to get trampled.

Feel free to laugh your ass off as long as you post a reply...a helpful reply.

resehop · 07:32 PM

Holly, This depends on how the cows were raised. Since they are dairy they are "nicer" (if there is such a thing) then most other cows (such as beef). They get milked on a daily basis (ours get milked 2 times a day every day unless we are drying them up so they can have a baby). They will not trample you. Bulls are usually the only aggressive ones that would "trample" and they can be crazy. Bulls are not usually around cows though, usually we turn those into steers (keeps them from being aggressive). If cows do get spooked they will run away from you (not over you). I wouldn't suggest putting a flash on the ground next to a cow. If the flash is on your camera or you are holding it, you should be fine and not have any spooked cows. Our dairy cows are nice and used to being around humans. They are around tractors, trucks, 4wheelers, lightning and so forth and they do just fine. Have fun.

J Eddington · 03-23-2009, 07:32 PM

Most Holsteins will be fine with a flash, but just like a kid, you never know. They are pretty mellow creatures most of the time.

HutchPhoto · 03-23-2009, 07:39 PM

Quote:

I was wondering if I put a flash by a cow - will it get spooked? Has anyone tried flashing a cow? I prefer not to get trampled.

Feel free to laugh your ass off as long as you post a reply...a helpful reply.

I here Uncle Tom coming.. to spread his wisdom..

If you FLASH a cow I want to see you do that... LMAO Need a third shooter or fourth ... as I know Mike will be taking behind the scene shots... LOL

Holly I think you will be just fine ! Sounds like the cattle have been worked often and will be use to being around people. Unless the flash moves by itself it will not bother the cattle.

.

Chief · 03-23-2009, 07:49 PM

Holly
Don't stand behind em.
Is there going to be someone taking your picture Flashing the Cows?

Have fun and watch where you step...

Gordon

HotHolly · 03-23-2009, 07:59 PM

Do I know what to title a post or what?!?!? LOL!

lscottpht · 03-23-2009, 08:35 PM

Hahaha, I thought you were literally going to flash the cows! Great title. Got my attention!

bondarnes · 03-23-2009, 08:49 PM

I flashed a cow in Abilene once and it just looked at me like "WTF??"

HotHolly · 03-23-2009, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bondarnes

I flashed a cow in Abilene once and it just looked at me like "WTF??"

Holy crap! Don said WTF!!!!

lscottpht · 03-23-2009, 09:10 PM

The deer on our shoot today were looking at the bride like that too, Don! It was too funny. They just stopped in their tracks and stared for the longest time.

trac76002 · 03-23-2009, 09:13 PM

Everyone, thanks so much for the laugh

I've taken pictures of cows alot on my husband's family farm. They usually just look at me....as Don says like "WTF"

Have fun!!

HotHolly · 03-24-2009, 04:45 PM

OK, someone shoulda told me that cows like to lick stuff. My truck was seriously tongued by the time we were done shooting. Im not sure if she shoulda went that far without a ring. I mean what a slutty cow! HOLY!

And then, while I was shooting, I felt something next to my head. I wasnt paying attention much...assumed it was a dog, b/c I mean, cows can't crawl over and sneak up on you. I would thought Id notice a 500 lb dog sitting next to me, right? Shows what I know. I was about 1cm from being tongued by a Holstein.

I fell over laughing and spooked it, and it ran away without gettin any. LOL! HotHolly does NOT put out that fast!

I just about laughed my ass off today.

I swear, my clients have got to think mike and I are mentally deficient. I took a shot of mike with a cow too. wth, why not? LOL.

CaptainTom · 03-24-2009, 05:04 PM

I didn't see this post yesterday, but I could have warned you about the licking thing. My first wife was a cow. She licked everything and anybody that got close enough. You'll have to figure out why she was my first wife on your own.
Holsteins are docile bovines. Guernseys on the other hand are aggressive and easily agitated. I think it has to do with the genetic character of each species. Or, it could be that the Guernseys are just so tired of people trying to get chocolate milk from them.

dtscds · 03-24-2009, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HotHolly

I took a shot of mike with a cow too. wth, why not? LOL.

I'm pretty sure there are laws against that sort of thing.
Even if there aren't...that's just plain gross!

kenw · 03-24-2009, 06:57 PM

Last time I flashed a cow it gave buttermilk.....

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Flashing the cows - help!