Landscapes In Wild Horse Pictures

In a prior weblog submit, I wrote about how {a photograph} captures a singular, distinctive second in time – a second that may by no means be precisely duplicated. Even if I’d attempt to duplicate one among my photos, the state of affairs won’t ever be precisely the identical. The surroundings will probably be completely different, there is perhaps extra wind, the sunshine adjustments, and – particularly with wildlife – a topic won’t ever be in the very same place.

The interaction of sunshine, desert skies and dramatic clouds created a panoramic backdrop for story telling.

A second each untamed and serene.

A dialog I had with one among my mentors about using reference photographs – whether or not it’s for wild horse images or for one among my different particular tasks – made me dig a bit deeper on this subject. 

He was sharing his expertise on the significance of placing collectively a portfolio of photos that you simply assume greatest characterize the topic and the way in which you need to inform the story about that topic when making ready for an expedition, just like the one we have been in, and even earlier than a easy picture shoot.

My query was, “If every photographer has access to the same reference photos and I’m trying to recreate the similar images from the reference photos as everyone else, how can my work become unique.”

Two wild horses partaking in silent communication towards the backdrop of the desert.

The stillness of the second and the refined dance of mud create a scene of profound magnificence.

His reply was easy… “To start with the images won’t be exactly the same. Look at these photographs of a polar bear that you and I both took.” We have been recovering again on the boat after a day within the zodiac photographing wildlife within the Arctic Circle (extra to return…) He stated, “We have been each taking pictures from the identical place, had related setting, related focal lengths, and framed the scene equally. However, as soon as we every return and edit, the ultimate photos will look completely completely different. You see issues otherwise than I do, and we’ll edit the photographs otherwise to convey out what’s most vital to every of us and to inform the story the way in which we see it.”

As I’ve been thinking about this conversation, and how to use this idea more in my equine photography, I realized this is why I love incorporating the environment when creating my images. For those very familiar with my work, you probably know by now that I usually favor close-up, intimate portraits of a wild horse. But many times, I will choose to zoom out and incorporate the elements of the stark desert environment the mustangs inhabit because it brings context to their story. The sagebrush, water, and clouds – the wide-open landscapes – can tell you as much about the wild horses as the scars on their bodies.

So I revisited several of my most popular images of desert landscapes featuring the American wild horses. Sure enough, each had distinctive elements that are impossible to duplicate. But, more importantly, the environmental elements work in each image to more richly communicate the story of the mustangs at a single moment in time.

A lone stallion makes his way down the mountainside to drink alone.

Solitude is the salve for a lifetime of battle wounds; serenity the reward for lessons learned and wisdom gained.

In Wyoming, a little to the east of Yellowstone, stands the Bridger Butte. It’s in this breathtaking scale, the endless sky, the sweeping plains, that freedom finds its definition. There, the spirit of the horse is as vast and free as the land it calls home.

Maria’s equine photography has been recognized for its emotional impact and intimate portrayal of wild horses.

Maria works intently with a number of non-profit organizations targeted on the advantages of equine remedy and preservation of the mustangs on US Western lands.