Trying To Use Large Format For Wild Horse Photography

June 05, 2019 • 1 Comment

I have been exploring new ground this year by photographing the wild horses of Shannon County, Missouri using my Nikon F6 and black and white 35mm film.

If you have been following me very long, then you probably know that I have a long history as a large format black and white film photographer specializing in making very large silver gelatin gallery prints.

I have been deeply passionate about flowers and botanical subjects my entire life and over the last 30 years, I have created an extensive body of work featuring my love and appreciation of these subjects using large format film.

I was talking to my son and while we spend the vast majority of our time chasing the wild horses in very difficult terrain, we have noticed a trend that could possibly open up an opportunity to use my 8x10 large format gear.

We have noticed that one herd, in particular, gathers in an area on a regular basis that could be suitable for hauling in our 8x10 large format camera. If we get set up early in the morning before daybreak before they start grazing, we may have an opportunity for some portrait style images. I would probably use Ilford HP5+ and rate it at EI 400 or even EI 800 to have enough shutter speed.

You may be asking why even bother with this? I am glad you asked! The ability to very large create handmade silver gelatin gallery prints from 8x10 large format negatives is unlike any other medium or format. The quality, detail, and presence of the larger prints from these big negatives offer an experience for the viewers that simply are not possible with a small 35mm film. We upgraded to a Heiland LED cold light system last year on our 8x10 enlarger and the new prints have been nothing short of amazing.

The same could be said for the smaller roll film too. I can create images with these cameras that are not possible with large format cameras and they are special in their own way as well. Holding these smaller intimate prints and enjoying them up close is a wonderful and unique experience.

In other words, there are always tradeoffs with tools and systems. I am really excited to get even one exposure on the big film to be able to make one of my big gallery prints of the wild horses.

If you love horses, join my Free Wild Horse Journal where I bring you behind the scenes in my darkroom and studio and provide my latest updates and special offers. Current members are automatically entered for a chance to win one of my wild horse fine art gallery prints every month.

Join me and other horse lovers from around the world in my Wild Horses of North America Facebook Group. I share behind the scenes photos and videos in the group that you won't see anywhere else.

I am starting to do Live Video Broadcasts from my new studio and darkroom while I am working and making prints and even doing live art shows too. I will be making my big 30x40 and 40x50 silver gelatin wild horse prints and also platinum and palladium too. You can connect with me live on my new YouTube Channel, and in the Darkroom Underground Facebook Group, and the Wild Horses of North America Facebook Group.

HISTORY OF THE WILD HORSES OF SHANNON COUNTY MISSOURI

Shannon County is home to an extraordinary herd of wild horses that very few people know about. Hidden away in Southeast Missouri in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways on public land about 130 miles from Springfield and 150 miles from St. Louis, 4 herds of wild horses roam the beautiful and rugged landscape.

Ozark National Scenic Riverways is the first national park area to protect a river system and the only place in the state where wild horses still roam free.

It hasn't been an easy path for the wild horses over the last 100 years and it would be foolish to think current conditions couldn't change and put the horses back in danger again.

During the 1980s the National Park Service announced a plan to remove the wild horses, and people were outraged.

In 1993 the U.S. Supreme Court denied a final appeal to protect the horses and gave the National Park Service the right to remove the horses from federal land at their discretion.

The national park service started the process of removing the wild horses in a way that was profoundly upsetting to local residents and horse lovers around the country. The people of Shannon County and horse lovers around the country rallied together and the Wild Horse League of Missouri was formed.

Luckily, by 1996 the Wild Horse League of Missouri, which formed in 1992 to save the wild horses, received help from the people of Shannon County, Congressman Bill Emerson, and Senators Kit Bond and John Ashcroft.

Their tireless efforts paid off, and President Clinton signed a bill into law on October 3, 1996, to make the wild horses of Shannon County a permanent part of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways.

Now, people from around the world visit Shannon County Missouri in hopes of seeing these majestic wild horses.

The Missouri Wild Horse League works with the National Park Service to capture some of the horses when the herd exceeds the maximum agreed upon limit of 50 horses. The captured horses are taken into care and evaluated before being adopted by loving families for permanent homes.

It is important to remember that these horses are wild. When looking for them, be sure not to approach them or attempt to feed them. It is essential to keep these animals wild and free, and for you to be safe. The horses are big, strong, and unpredictable and for your own safety as well as theirs, keep a safe distance of 100 yards or more between you and the horses.

Keywords: analog photography, black and white, darkroom, film, fine art, large format, Missouri, photography, Shannon County, Wild Horses, Wildlife

Comments

gregory hamilton(non-registered)

I'm using a 6x24 fotoman camera and using Black and white film is a big option with your methods, we need to converse, I'm so happy i found your site!!

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