Between Iron and Freedom by Geert Van Baelen

Two horses stand behind a heavy metal fence, in the middle of a green landscape. The bars divide the image into vertical lines and create a striking contrast between the animals and their natural surroundings. The dark horses, the weathered metal and the light background combine to form a powerful black-and-white image in which light, shadow and texture take centre stage.
The photograph evokes a sense of distance and confinement. The horses are literally behind the fence, whilst the wooded surroundings radiate a sense of freedom. The close-up of the heads and horns, in particular, makes the image intriguing. The strong black-and-white processing removes many colours from the landscape, shifting the focus entirely to shapes, textures and contrasts.
The weathered fencing almost forms an abstract pattern. The vertical bars cut across the image in various places, creating a visual tension between the viewer and the horses. At the same time, the leaves on the ground, the trees and the soft light in the background provide a natural counterbalance. This results in a photograph that can be viewed as both documentary and graphic.
This black-and-white photograph of horses shows how an everyday situation can take on a different meaning through deliberate composition. The image is not just about animals behind a fence, but can also be interpreted as a reference to freedom, restriction and the boundary between humans and nature.
The combination of horses, nature, shadow, light and weathered metal gives the photograph a timeless and somewhat mysterious feel. The dark tones enhance the atmosphere, whilst the subtle details in the coat, leaves and metal bars lend the image extra depth.
A photographic image in which black-and-white photography, nature and wildlife photography converge, and in which the interplay of lines, light and shadow in particular sets the tone.