Horse Photo Competition 3 2016 : Results

Judges Comment
What a spectacular image, and an instant favorite. The use of a wide-angle gives us a wonderful wide landscape view with a full sky and leading lines on beach. One suggestion: I might have corrected the lens curve in post so that the horizon line was straight. But this is a great image ... good white balance, wonderful natural stance. Great job! Congrats! ~ illona
Photographers Comment
Oh wow, thank you so much. This photo shows my icelandic mare Halla and my all time model. We were at the Baltic Sea for a walk with some friends and I think she enjoyed this liberty walk very much. The curves in the sand were so inspiring for this shot. I love this never ending sky and her calm and familiar expression. We are from Germany and the picture was taken with my Canon 5D Mark III and a Canon 16-35mm.
https://www.facebook.com/fotografieeilinaoertelt/

Judges Comment
What a spectacular image. The horse's firm gaze, flared nostrils and alert stance are riveting, and the black-and-white conversion ensure that the viewer's eye rarely strays from this gorgeous subject. Nicely done. ~ illona

Judges Comment
This is a stunning silhouette image. The sky is superb but what truly makes this image is the two addition of the two horses in the background. Nicely done all around! ~ illona
Photographers Comment
Thank you Illona and team for the MoE!! I had spend a day in the desert photographing the Wild Mustang's in Utah. And on my hike back down from the mountains these three stallions where standing by the water just right for me to click the button. Taken with Nikon D7100, handheld, post processing in PS to sharpen it a bit. Thank you for your lovely words on this shot!

Judges Comment
What a beautiful image. In spite of this being a detail/parts image there is so much going, and so much for the viewer's eye to come back. The inclusion of the horse's ear is splendid. Nicely done. ~ illona

Judges Comment
This image is an instant fave ... strong framing and leading lines accentuated by the conversion to black-and-white, bold shadows and highlights, and a very natural, relaxed subject. Nicely done! ~ illona

Judges Comment
This image is so rich with texture -- the old wood, twisted metal, the horse's soft muzzle, and coarse mane. Along with the depth of shadows created by the rich sepia tones, this photo stands out. Nicely done. ~ illona
Photographers Comment
My name is Patrick Morris and I am from Bellingham, Washington. I was at a local farm taking pictures and captured this shot. I used a Nikon D610 with a Nikon 135mm 1:2D lens. I use Light Room to post process and thought a sepia tone would be nice for this shot. Thank You

Judges Comment
What a beautiful, bright image ... and a wonderful setting for this stunning horse. Nicely captured and handled in post. ~ illona
Photographers Comment
Tank you for the MoE and your kind words, Ilona! My name is Anna Panke from Cologne, Germany. The photo was taken at Niewvliet Beach, Netherlands, in April on a weekend trip with the horses. Isak is such a gentle soul and his owner Svenja was able to work him freely at the beach. The photo was taken with a Canon 5DIII & the 70-200mm 2.8L.
www.annapanke.de

Judges Comment
What a beautiful image. The framing of the tree trunk on the left and the branches reaching in on the right keep the viewer's eye in frame and directly on our subject. The detail of the breath vapor and low sun catching the fuzz of the horse's winter coat add to the feeling of the cold morning. Wonderfully done! ~ illona
Photographers Comment
Hi my name is Eric and im from the Netherlands! Thanks to the judges for making this picture Mark Of Excellence! This picture was taken in January early in the morning, with the sun low in the sky just touching the back of the horse so it greats a nice rim light! The shot was just perfect with the eyes of the horse closed and breath vapor! It almost looks like the horse is in total serene with her or his environment! Camera Canon 7D with the 70-200mm f2.8 II Post processing all done in LR cc some straighten, color corrections, contrast and sharpening... Kind regards Eric
ericvanhorrik.nl

Judges Comment
What a fabulous image ... the minimal palette and decision to present in black-and-white seem to add to the serenity of this quiet, foggy scene. Beautifully captured and handled in post. ~ illona
Photographers Comment
Thanks for the Mark of Excellence and your kind words! my name is Isabell Albrecht and I live close to Hamburg, Germany. The photo shows my horse Bella during some super foggy days last November. Shot with a Canon 1D Mark III and 85mm 1.8
www.tierfotografie-albrecht.de

Judges Comment
The framing of this image and the natural framing of the subject is wonderful in this photo, including the sweeping vines and the lush greenery, the little pops of color of flowers. It's unfortunate that the highlights on the horse's back and side are so harshly blown out as this is where the viewer's eye is immediately drawn. In a lot of cases when shooting animals you don't always have the opportunity for adjustments and second or third takes, but this is a case where - if you'd had a second chance - under-exposing would have been preferred so as not to lose the highlights in this tricky situation, and then bring up the rest in post. But wonderful framing and vision. ~ illona