Horse Photo Competition 5 2016 : Results

Judges Comment
This image is utterly stunning ... absolutely glorious light, strong framing, and the low angle makes us feel as though we are right there. The viewer's eye just keeps coming back again and again to find more exquisite details: not just the horse's breath, but the steam coming off its belly ... the sun rimming along the animal's outline and glowing on the inside foreleg ... the rocks where she is standing ... the details of her mane. Just an absolutely wonderful capture and image. Congrats! ~ illona

Judges Comment
What an absolutely stunning image ... the soft tones, misty atmosphere and almost monochrome palette are simply delicious. The framing and the 'relationship' between the two horses is just beautiful. The subtlety of the tones and light, as well as the textures, keeps the viewer's eye exploring this incredible image. An instant fave. ~ illona
Photographers Comment
Thank you very much for the mark of excellence! My name is Valentina Goeck and I'm from Germany. The picture was taken after the barb mares were brought to another pasture. I like how they were so naturally attentive as if there was something interesting they could not see in the fog. I took the picture with the Canon 5D Mark II and the 70-200mm f4 and processed the image in lightroom and photoshop to give it a colder look and some more contrast since the fog was very heavy that day.
https://www.facebook.com/TierportraitsValentinaGoeck/

Judges Comment
This is such a wonderful image ... the sweet pony emerging from a dark, tangled background of ferns and brush. The details are fabulous and because of the shallow depth of field, the pony actually seems as though he is stepping out of this mysterious background. Nicely done! ~ illona
Photographers Comment
The Grayson Highlands of Virginia, where this photo was made, is a wonderful place where fairytales seem to be just part of the normal way of life. The wild ponies which roam there are beautiful and very much make the area an incredible destination for hikers and nature buffs alike. This image was shot with my Sony A7r using a 24-70mm F4 Sony Vario-Tessar lens.
www.aphotographist.com

Judges Comment
What a stunning running shot ... the long, flowing mane, the sparkling bokeh and shimmering glow and rim light. Beautifully captured and edited. ~ illona
Photographers Comment
Thank you very much Ilona for this Mark of Excellence! It was a beautiful sunny May evening when I shot this photo of the yopung P.R.E. gelding. I used my Canon EOS 5D III and the 70-200mm 2.8L.
https://www.facebook.com/annapanke

Judges Comment
What a wonderful action image. Even though it is a tight crop and we can't see the horse's legs, we can completely sense the animal's easy canter by the flow of its mane, the carry of his head and neck ... beautifully captured, framed and managed in post. ~ illona

Judges Comment
The expression on this horse's face is fabulous and immediately draws the viewer in. The contrast of the bright, fanciful backdrop gives the entire image an exotic feel. Absolutely wonderful. ~ illona

Judges Comment
This is a beautiful silhouette image, utilizing a higher angle so that we are able see part of the horse's reflection and the very subtle ripples in the water. Expertly framed and handled in post. Nicely done. ~ illona

Judges Comment
This is a fabulous silhouette image ... using the tree and the horse to silhouette against stunning sky and sun-lit lake. The leading line of the dock/wall and the shadow cast by the horse's legs in the warm glow of the sun are absolutely wonderful and inviting. Wonderfully seen, captured, and managed in post. ~ illona

Judges Comment
What a fabulous action photo. The tight crop brings us even closer to the action, the flying hair and water droplets. Nicely captured. ~ illona

Judges Comment
This is a lovely study of a beautiful horse, and the black and white conversion allows the eye to take in all of the details. Nicely done. ~ illona