Iceland - Two Icelandic Horses in Misty Field
The Icelandic horse is a breed of horse developed in Iceland. Although small and often pony-sized, they are considered horses by most Icelandic breed registries. The breed develops late, but is long-lived and hardy. The breed was developed from ponies brought to Iceland by Viking settlers in the 9th and 10th centuries. Horses were worshipped in Norse mythology, and these beliefs were brought to Iceland by the original settlers. The Icelandic breed is mentioned in both literature and historical records throughout Icelandic history, from the 9th century on, with the first historical reference to an individual horse appearing in the 12th century. Selective breeding has been used over the centuries to develop the breed into its current form. Natural selection has also played a role, with the harsh Icelandic climate killing many horses through cold and starvation. In the late 18th century, much of the breed was wiped out in the aftermath of a volcanic eruption. They are still used for traditional farm work in Iceland, as well as for leisure, showing and racing.
It is difficult to say which is my favorite shot from my trip to Iceland, however series of these shots of Icelandic horses in the mist must be one of the most mystical photoshoot ever. I remember that we drove back to Reykjavik from already amazing time at Seljalandsfoss Waterfall (where I got rather wet from the ever present spray of water). As it was nearly sunset time I was getting more and more restless about the right location for the setting sun. As we drove along the road we noticed group of horses on the field with the mist that was slowly picking up. Icelandic horses were on top of the list of shots I wanted to leave that amazing country with. I managed to get some photos with reasonably good light and background before this moment, however I could have never imagined situation like this. Some shots can be carefully planned and executed, some will never repeat itself, this is definitely one of those. Part of that amazing experience was also the chance to watch how the whole scene “grew on us”. If I was there with a person that is not into photography, I would have taken one or two shots and got back to car. The freedom to explore the whole scene and situation with someone that has the same interest (obsession) gave me opportunity to emerge into the moment and capture better and better photos (completely forgetting that I’m taking photos across sharply wired fence in rather high and very wet grass).
Camera Model: Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Lens’s focal length: 70.00 - 200.00 mm, Photo Focal length: 70.00 mm, Aperture: 4.0, Exposure time: 1/60 s, ISO: 200
All rights reserved - Copyright © Lucie Debelkova
All images are exclusive property and may not be copied, downloaded, reproduced, transmitted, manipulated or used in any way without expressed, written permission of the photographer.
Comments and faves
Ljosvikingur, Armando Alvarez, ©Helminadia Ranford, RkRao, and 266 other people added this photo to their favorites.
© Lucie Debelkova / www.luciedebelkova.com (34 months ago | reply)
GuggaH (34 months ago | reply)
Beautiful piceture of the Icelandic horse.
chanwai (34 months ago | reply)
amazing！
carys j (34 months ago | reply)
what a beautiful scene! Im off to Iceland for Christmas and hope it lives up to all these great snaps im seeing!
Iamamaia (kalaka 67) (34 months ago | reply)
I pick this photograph to be on the cover of National Geographic
National Geographic: Are You Good Enough?
Darren White Photography (34 months ago | reply)
Dang, they are so beautiful.....I look forward to the day I get to photograph them myself...I can only hope for conditions like this !!!
Keep up the great work!!!
Cástor Villar (34 months ago | reply)
I pick this photograph to be on the cover of National Geographic
National Geographic: Are You Good Enough?
Lee Alan [deleted] (34 months ago | reply)
Beautiful shot again today!
JRodrigues. (34 months ago | reply)
Beautiful!!!
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Seen on my Flickr home page. (?)
Baqer Jawad Photography (34 months ago | reply)
Very nice shot , both horses are looking at you !
Pls. visit my photography site
www.baqerjawad.com
Thanks in advance
Armando Alvarez (34 months ago | reply)
Magic!... Great Work
I pick this photograph to be on the cover of National Geographic
National Geographic: Are You Good Enough?
©Helminadia Ranford (34 months ago | reply)
I love it...!
RkRao (34 months ago | reply)
Excellent shot !
juntos ( MOSTLY OFF) (34 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called ExtraOrdinary Photography / ADMIN INVITE ONLY /, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
juntos ( MOSTLY OFF) (34 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Splendid Pictures/Admin Invite Only, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
juntos ( MOSTLY OFF) (34 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called The Arcadia Society (Admin Invite Only), and we'd love to have this added to the group!
SHAZRAL (34 months ago | reply)
wow nice pic .....
fotomassimo (34 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Capture Nature / No human elements /, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Superb!
heinz57sauce (34 months ago | reply)
Fine work Lucie.
Klaus Backhaus (34 months ago | reply)
Impressive and sweet at the same time,
really beautiful !
Ivan Garrido (34 months ago | reply)
I pick this photograph to be on the cover of National Geographic
National Geographic: Are You Good Enough?
Gaurav Dinesh (34 months ago | reply)
Awesome work.
Julio Beceiro [deleted] (34 months ago | reply)
Beautiful shot
maryaben (34 months ago | reply)
Fantastic!
s.e.re (34 months ago | reply)
gorgeous!
tobey308 (34 months ago | reply)
Super shot!
Kamile_Lesk (34 months ago | reply)
wow
Dave Heuts (34 months ago | reply)
Nice light, great perspective
Bonemer ( Abdulaziz Al - Duwisan ) (34 months ago | reply)
v. nice pic ...
italianoadoravel on/off internet problems (34 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called FAVTOP20+ Post1, Fav and award 2, Don't forget Fave-Sweeper, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
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Seen on my Flickr home page. (?²ˣ)
ali_heero (34 months ago | reply)
Woww nice capture
your work is nice
Unknown316 [deleted] (34 months ago | reply)
fantastic capture nicely composed
am†ƒo†o (34 months ago | reply)
real dreamY
nice!!
i2b.doz (34 months ago | reply)
I pick this photograph to be on the cover of National Geographic
National Geographic: Are You Good Enough?
Valt3r Rav3ra - DEVOted! (34 months ago | reply)
Beautiful shot!!!!!!
Bokameh (34 months ago | reply)
Great work, thanks for sharing!
Dana Prost (34 months ago | reply)
I pick this photograph to be on the cover of National Geographic
National Geographic: Are You Good Enough?
Xavier Fargas (34 months ago | reply)
I pick this photograph to be on the cover of National Geographic
National Geographic: Are You Good Enough?
Andres (Argentino de Cordoba Capital) (34 months ago | reply)
Es increible! Pefecta!!!
Ricardo Rico (34 months ago | reply)
Beautiful shot !, Congrats
I pick this photograph to be on the cover of National Geographic
National Geographic: Are You Good Enough?
kike.matas (34 months ago | reply)
I pick this photograph to be on the cover of National Geographic
National Geographic: Are You Good Enough?
mariedoucet (34 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called *absolutely beautiful-absolutamente bello*post 1 comment1, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
mariedoucet (34 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Lovely villages, fields, meadows, swamps, lakes & forests, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
lclesner (34 months ago | reply)
Another great shot - great photo.
~AntZ~ (34 months ago | reply)
Wonderful capture. Beautiful horses.
Dimitar Nechev (34 months ago | reply)
I pick this photograph to be on the cover of National Geographic
National Geographic: Are You Good Enough?
_ njphoto [deleted] (34 months ago | reply)
perfect scene!
Dean Forbes (34 months ago | reply)
wonderful light and mood!
Haukur Johannesson (34 months ago | reply)
Frábær mynd hjá þér. Ljósið er súper flott :)
luisAfonso (34 months ago | reply)
Beautiful indeed. I loved your story. Perfect location, super light conditions with the right company. And with a charged battery pack. :) What else do we need? Great photo Lucie!