A satellite stallion is a full adult stallion that is allowed to hang on the outskirts of a band that already has a lead stallion. Sometimes he is a challenger, but more often he is a horse that serves a purpose, and thus is allowed by the lead stallion to hang close. He can be an extra set of eyes for the band, and often will stop and face a threat while the band and lead stallion run for the hills. This fellow is a satellite stallion for a band of horses in the Jicarilla Wild Horse Management Area of the Carson National Forest. In general, the horses here are quite wild, and not at all comfortable with human presence. While positioned in a grouping of junipers, I was fortunate this fellow ran around me on the right side for the sunlight! He wears the medals on his hide of being a wild stallion.
D300 with 80-400mm @ 175mm, f/6.3, 1/2000, iso 400, ev -0.33
Last edited by david cramer; 02-02-2009 at 09:00 AM.
Reason: correct exif
The horse is well lit, has a good pose and some nice BG. I thought some post processing would help to bring out the potential of this image.
Here is what I did.
1) Shadows and Highlights
2) Levels adjustment layer - I darkened the whole image and then masked the horse
3) Burn tool - I burned the foreground to tone down some of the bright spots
David,
Thanks for the info. I learnt something about the horses. I would like a bit more contrast added to the original post. It would make a good black and white image as well.