Into the landscape

Waldron Conservation Area, Alberta, Canada

I was lucky enough to be part of the +Nature Conservancy of Canada effort to protect a sensitive area known as the Waldron in southern Alberta. I was hired to show off the wonder and beauty of the land, and had the absolute privilege of wandering around here for days looking for photographic ways to inspire others to help protect this area. I still have close ties with the NCC and sometimes donate my time to their promotional events. If you happen to be a part of the "Leaders in Conservation" program you are invited to participate in an exclusive workshop from me this weekend! To find out more about becoming a leader in conservation, check out: http://www.natureconservancy.ca/en/where-we-work/alberta/get-involved/leaders-in-conservation/lic.html

Photographic Details
Some of the original stakeholders rode to the media event on their horses, it was the perfect opportunity to start posing these riders. I had them walk away into the scenery in classic western style. I laid close to the ground and got a very geometrically simple and gorgeous shots of these riders. The extreme symmetry of this scene allowed me to centre the subject (which is usually a no-no) and mainly focus on the riders. Having them walk away creates a feeling of mystery, engendering the viewer to wonder who these riders are, only going on their attire and cowboy hats for clues.

See Also:
Check out this summers horseback expeditions: http://www.kylefoto.com/horseback-expeditions/
and the LIC tours: http://www.natureconservancy.ca/en/where-we-work/alberta/get-involved/leaders-in-conservation/2014.html#.U6GcmY1dVPQ

For #waywednesday  curated by +Peter Carroll 
#horsebackriding   #horselovers   #equinephotography #waldron   #ncc   #conservation  

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I'd like to introduce you all to an incredibly inspirational photographer

+Wayne Sawchuk has been part of a huge conservation effort in northern B.C. in Canada. Using his images and stories to foster healthy relationships between people and the use of the incredible Muskwa-Kechika Wilderness. It's because of people like Wayne that we still have these incredible wildernesses to explore.

Featured on National Geographic, Wayne leads incredible horseback expeditions, a few of which I will be going on this year! I highly recommend you check out his work and website, and forward it to any  horse and nature lovers you know!

I highly recommend you circle him and keep an eye out for his future work!

#travelphotography   #traveltuesday   #horsebackriding   #britishcolumbia   #canada   #travelcanada  

Reshared post from +Wayne Sawchuk

Riders Emerge From the Mist
Through the mist and clouds we emerge onto the ridge, inwardly thankful for the end of a long climb. Every moment of sweat and hard work is instantly a distant memory as we reach the heavens and the realm of the alpine.

Tuchodi River
Northern B.C. Rocky Mountains, Canada

#horselovers #horsepower #muskwakechika #adventuretravel #travel #canada #canadaphotography  

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Riding the trail line

Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada

Every day out in the wilderness here I’m riding behind my fellow #horseback  riders I was thinking that not everyone in the world has experienced this, that something I’m so used to can be so new to someone else. So I’m going to spill the details on such a simple aspect of expedition life with the #horses  . Believe it or not, I’m back of the pack simply because of horse politics. My horse, Peach is somewhat pokey, and doesn’t really feel confidant at the front of the pack, where as the rest of these horses have a strong desire to be a the back of the pack. While a rider can boss their horse around and tell them exactly where to be, these horses are vehemently social animals themselves, and letting them ride next to their best buddies in places they feel comfortable can make the adventure much more pleasant for everyone involved.

Photographic details:
I wanted this photo to have a strong sense of motion. To achieve this I used an extremely slow #shutterspeed   of 1/60th of a second. But the motion on the horse wasn’t enough, we weren’t galloping at full speed so while taking the photo I zoomed in simply by holding my lens and spinning the camera. This created the interesting twisted blur around the edges, but kept the center rider mostly free of blur. Because of the symmetry I kept the rider in the middle of the frame. Canon 5D Mark II ISO 100, f9, 160/sec

#horselovers   #travelphotography  

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