Horse Photo Competition 1 2014 : Entry Number 97

i can't say enough about this amazing image. unlike the overhead image (taken, i assume, by the same photographer of the same group of mustangs), this photo places the viewer at ground level, right with the herd ... and by doing so we can feel the horses, hear their hooves and their breath, sense the crush of their bodies and almost smell them. the white horse amidst the crush of dark bodies -- accentuated by the deep shadows -- is immediately captivating, but also the convergence of the black horse and the white one in the center of the frame makes for an absolutely strong image. beautifully captured and managed in post. i would consider editing out the white object to the left of the frame -- something straight ... perhaps a bit of a gate? -- as it is the only distracting element in this entire image. again, wonderfully shot and processed. well done and congrats! ~ illona

Thank you for first prize and Mark of Excellence. Such a honor to earn this prize. My name is Daniel Rodrigues from Porto, Portugal. This photo and the another photo of mustangs they were photographed in Spain, in Galicia, during the traditional "Rapa das Bestas". A tradition that has existed for many years. In relation to another object to the left of the frame is another white horse who was also there. The photos were taken with a Canon 5D mark III and the lens 24mm 1.4 and edited in Lightroom 5.5. I enjoyed shooting this photograph and the other because the wild horses together are something powerful. You can see more about the "Rapa das Bestas" or my work in: http://www.danielrodriguesphoto.com/#!rapa-das-bestas/c1wn7 Thank you!