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A Heber Smile
When you ask the wild horses in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest near Heber-Overgaard to smile...
[Heber Smiles_14x20_7 SEP 2019_3266]...
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When you ask the wild horses in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest near Heber-Overgaard to smile...
[Heber Smiles_14x20_7 SEP 2019_3266]
Read less
[Heber Smiles_14x20_7 SEP 2019_3266]
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Sep, 2019Views
1283
Likes
Awards
Contest Finalist in Animal Faces Photo Contest
People's Choice in Two Heads Animals only Photo Challenge
People's Choice in AnimalExpressions Photo Challenge
Peer Award
Magnificent Capture
Absolute Masterpiece
Top Choice
Superb Composition
Outstanding Creativity
All Star
Genius
Superior Skill
Top Ranks
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 10 rank
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Ultimate
NatureCoast
December 24, 2021
Congratulations as the People's Choice of my Two Heads challenge. The expressions that you captured on these two horses is so appealing and so appropriate. Well deserved!!
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Discover more photos See all
Behind The Lens
Location
The photo was taken in the U.S. state of Arizona's Apache-Sitreaves National Forest. Seeing American Mustangs in their habitat makes my heart soar. When I saw these two -- a lead stallion (right) and one of his band member (left) -- in the forest they instantly put their heads together and looked my way.Time
The look on the faces and togetherness of these two American Mustangs makes me smile. The barbed wire (devil's wire) in the background reminds me of the challenges these American Icons are facing. The United States Forest Service plans to remove them from the forest and most likely place them in long term pastures at taxpayer expense or add them to the Bureau of Land Management's Adoption Incentive Program where they may end up in kill pens. They're human solutions available that do not include removal, but they've fallen on deaf ears.Lighting
Getting in position to photograph wild Mustangs with the catch light in their eyes as well as getting shadows and highlights correct is always a challenge as the forest is huge and wild horses do not "follow" direction. On this day the sky was overcast which created diffused lighting and I was on the right side of the light when they put their heads together.Equipment
I used a Nikon D850 with a Nikon 200.0-500.0 mm f/5.6 exposed at 1/250 sec; f/7.1; ISO 640; on Manual with Pattern metering.Inspiration
American Mustangs symbolize freedom. They are an American Icon instrumental to our Nation. I oppose the Department of Interior's sanctioned management plan by the Bureau of Land Management to manage them and use photos to raise awareness of the challenges they face. They exude so much grace and beauty, power and tenderness...Editing
I used photoshop and Lightroom to enhance the shadows and highlights. The barbed wire (a.k.a. Devil's wire) was left in the photos as a statement to the challenges the American Mustangs face.In my camera bag
I usually have my longest lens -- a Nikon 200.0mm-500.0 mm f/5.6 lens, Nikon 70-200 and my everyday go to Nikon 28-300. All are used with my Nikon D850. Additionally I have lens wipes, lots of water and a Tri-pod to capture sunsets and/or sun rises I may experience.Feedback
The best advice I can offer is to love what you photograph and know everything you can about your subject. If you choose wildlife and/or nature be aware of the weather and take appropriate safety measures to ensure the photos you take make it back home.
