Netherlands Osstvaardersplassen, Flevoland

The Oostvaardersplassen in Flevoland are part of Nationaal Park Nieuw Land and comprise a vast landscape of wetlands, reed beds, and open grasslands between Almere and Lelystad. One of the area's most characteristic sights is its large herd of Konik horses, which graze the open landscape alongside Heck cattle and red deer.

Getting relatively close to the horses on a guided tour offers a completely different photographic experience than observing them from the public viewpoints around the reserve.

I photographed these horses with a 70–200mm telephoto lens during an electric vehicle tour with local guides. The focal length was ideal because it let me isolate individual animals while maintaining a respectful distance.

For this shot, I went for a low perspective, placing the horses against the open sky rather than the more distracting landscape behind them. Overcast conditions actually worked very well here, providing soft light across the horses without harsh shadows. A shutter speed of at least 1/500s is useful, as the horses can move unexpectedly and the wind often catches their manes.

The core area of the Oostvaardersplassen, where the large herds roam, is not freely accessible and can only be entered on organized excursions outside the winter season. This makes a guided tour one of the best ways to photograph the horses from inside the reserve.

Staatsbosbeheer offers guided electric-vehicle tours from both the Almere and Lelystad sides, typically taking visitors through areas they can't otherwise explore independently. Dedicated photography safaris are also offered on selected dates and use an electric vehicle to reach locations beyond the regular excursion route. For photographers, I would definitely bring a 70–200mm or 100–500mm rather than relying on a wide-angle lens—the exact distance to the animals is unpredictable, and sightings are never guaranteed.