Desert horse

Gallery: WildlifePosted June 23, 2010153 views9 comments

Yes, Africa also has some Wild Horses! In the Namib desert in Namibia lives a population of Wild (or more appropriately termed Feral) Horses in an extremely inhospitable environment. I had not set my hopes high on even finding one, expecting them to be very elusive creatures in that vast desert. However, these days it appears they do depend on a man made waterhole and are therefore not difficult to find. On top of that they allow close approach as well and as a result I had a way too long lens mounted and was forced to go in tight as this one strolled past me giving me this questioning look.
I liked how the distant BG sort of puts this animal in its environment despite the close portrait approach; would love to hear some views on that. Thanks.

Feral horse
Namib Desert, Namibia
Camera Model Canon EOS-1D Mark IV
Shutter Speed 1/160 Sec.
Aperture Value f/16.0
ISO Speed 400
Lens EF500mm f/4 L IS USM
Tripod
FF height, cropped from left to 4:3

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Catherine Reilly on June 23, 2010 at 2:52 AM

Oh yes, Vincent, I couldn't agree with you more on the background. Next to how wonderful the portrait is, esp. with the warm light, seeing the environment softly in the background really crowns this shot royal! Way to go.

Registered on August 16, 2006, 603 Posts, 9192 Comments

Comment posted by Marsel van Oosten on June 23, 2010 at 3:23 AM

Without having read your story, my first reaction was: why so close? The nice thing about the wild horses in that area is that the habitat is stunning, so to me it would make sense to actually show it. That would also make the shot look more different from most of the horse shots we see. In other words: I know it's a wild horse, but I don't see it.

That said, I understand the reason, and I do like the pose and the light here. Two small nits: I woud prefer to see the horizon touch the subject either much higher or lower (instead of touching the mouth), and I'd prefer to see either more or nothing at all of that tiny piece of leg in the lower right corner.

Hope that makes sense.

P.S. You're not posting in chronological order, are you?

Registered on March 9, 2004, 285 Posts, 2277 Comments

Comment posted by Marie Mitchell on June 23, 2010 at 5:52 AM

I think you have gotten some good advice. The lighting is lovely!

Registered on May 13, 2010, 3 Posts, 117 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on June 23, 2010 at 11:07 AM

Hi Marsel, thank you for your comment. Maybe I gave you the impression I only got close-up images of these horses, but of course I also have images of them in their environment. Will post one later maybe.

And no not chronological, because my workflow is not chronological, but more chaotic

Registered on February 24, 2006, 504 Posts, 7203 Comments

Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on June 23, 2010 at 11:22 AM

Great light, pose and expressions! However, I find the face bit central in the frame.
Jagdeep Rajput

Registered on April 29, 2008, 686 Posts, 2857 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on June 23, 2010 at 12:54 PM

Wonderful light showing on this horse. I like the shot as is because of the look and eye contact with a hint of the sand dune environment in the background. Well done.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on June 23, 2010 at 2:33 PM

I like the warm light and the sand on the nose. I think the background rendition is fine. I think I would try to convert this capture to vertical, emphasizing the shape of long face and the hanging tendrils of mane.

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments

Comment posted by Sandra Hendrikse on June 24, 2010 at 3:13 AM

I like the shot a it is. Nice pose and wonderful light. The inclusion and placement of the distant background works well for me.

Registered on January 23, 2008, 48 Posts, 769 Comments

Comment posted by James Campbell on June 25, 2010 at 2:29 AM

Hey Vincent.. The light and the look that you have here are lovely. I think my battle with the wild horses is that they don't look much "wilder" than normal horses and so close ups inevitably end up looking like a good image of a horse! The background here gives a hint as to the environment but not quite enough for someone viewing that is not familiar with this habitat. Anyway, just some thoughts. I am looking forward to seeing some of your wider shots - the landscape will make it!

Registered on January 12, 2009, 48 Posts, 377 Comments