Pony Express National Historic Trail
96

Submitted {{media.upload | relativeTime}}

Description

A wild pony playfully rises in front of his mother, a gesture signifying dominance that will become more important as the horse ages into a fighting stallion. Getting this silhouette shot was near impossible and I've been chasing it for years; you have to align perfectly with where the sun just set, and have a five minute window of ambient daylight left-- even a few degrees off in either direction and the shot is too dark. Exposing for the sun, yet setting the focus to the horse, is also tricky-- there is too little light for autofocus, and so this shot must be done manually in its entirety. Add to this that the horses are constantly moving, and having to move great distances in 100 degree heat to reposition myself while maintaining a safe distance from other horses in the herd, continuously scratching myself up on prickly chaparral  brush in the gritty dirt, this is one of the hardest shots I have ever taken. (c) Brian Clopp

Comments ({{media.approvedcomments}})

Ads
Tags
Other entries by Brian