Fairytale-Like Pictures Of Horses Living In Extreme Iceland Conditions
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Snow and ice have always possessed a mystical quality, which is perhaps is what makes Iceland such a captivating destination. New York City-based professional photographer and filmmaker Drew Doggett, managed to capture a sliver of this magic in his new photo series ‘In the Realm of Legends,’ where he highlighted “the unique relationship between this land and the beautiful horses.”
While this was Doggett’s first time in Iceland, the photographer has traversed the much of the world for his other shoots seeking out unusual locations and the most beautiful nature.
“Throughout all of my work, I find that I am consistently drawn towards places on Earth that are near-impossible,” he told Bored Panda, “Iceland is a surreal place, and the wild horses are the perfect companions to this unusual yet breathtaking land; the combination of the two is truly unforgettable.”
But it wasn’t just the scenery that brought the artist to the icy region.
“In many ways, I was drawn to Iceland (and my wildlife photography career) because of my interest in adventure – one I’ve had since I was a child. Jules Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea was one of the many books I read and re-read knowing that I wanted adventure in my own life one day,” explained Doggett.
Well capturing fantasy tales on film is no easy feat. The photographer said he spent months planning the two-week animal photography shoot but was met with several challenges.
“Other than the innate challenges of documenting this rare horse breed, the unpredictability of Iceland’s weather was the most challenging aspect of creating this series… I had to make the best of every single opportunity in front of me because it wouldn’t be long before the rain fell or the wind picked up to the point of us needing to find shelter.”
After viewing the photos it is clear that Doggett’s hard work paid off, culminating in a whimsical series. He said he hopes his viewers walk away with feelings of ‘collective nostalgia, inspiration, and fantasy.’
Scroll down below to see Doggett’s enchanting photos from ‘In the Realm of Legends’!
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Photographer Drew Doggett’s enchanting photo series, In the Realm of Legends, captures the beauty of Icelandic horses
Image credits: Drew Doggett
Doggett’s goal for the series was to “highlight the unique relationship between this land and the horses”
Image credits: Drew Doggett
He told Bored Panda likes to photograph in ‘near-impossible’ locations
Image credits: Drew Doggett
And was drawn to Iceland for it’s surreal and breathtaking landscapes
Image credits: Drew Doggett
Image credits: Drew Doggett
It took months to plan for the photography expedition
Image credits: Drew Doggett
Image credits: Drew Doggett
Image credits: Drew Doggett
Which culminated in two ‘jam-packed’ weeks of shooting
Image credits: Drew Doggett
Image credits: Drew Doggett
Image credits: Drew Doggett
Image credits: Drew Doggett
Image credits: Drew Doggett
For the photographer, the biggest challenge was the unpredictable weather
Image credits: Drew Doggett
Image credits: Drew Doggett
Image credits: Drew Doggett
Image credits: Drew Doggett
Image credits: Drew Doggett
Even still, he still managed to capture the whimsical nature of these horses
Image credits: Drew Doggett
Image credits: Drew Doggett
Image credits: Drew Doggett
Image credits: Drew Doggett
Doggett said he hopes after viewing the images you are filled with ‘collective nostalgia, inspiration and fantasy’
Image credits: Drew Doggett
Image credits: Drew Doggett
Image credits: Drew Doggett
Behind The Scenes: In The Realm of Legends
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I think they're really unicorns and he's photoshopping the horns out to keep their secret.
*plays illuminati theme song*
wait! illuminati have their own theme song??? i checked it on google anf it's the theme song from X-Files... waaaat!??
Shhh it's a secret!
Stunning photographs and such beautiful horses. I love Iceland - would love to go back again.
i bought 150 national Geographic magazines from 1950 to 1965 for £10 - the photography was amazing
I had to get rid of them due to a house move - but kept all the best pages - the photography was amazing back then
i still have the original cover of the green eyed Afghan child
Lovely - I know the photo you mean.
Yep...was gonna holiday to Florida, but looks like I'm going to Iceland now.
hahaha, I love this comment!
Thanks :P
Yes! I love icelandic horses so much! <3 They do this crazy gait called a Tölt, its so cute!
These took my breath away! Wonderful photographers know how yo really make you feel something without using or saying a word.
That was incredible. Beautiful. Inspiring. Fantastical. Oh so many words and emotions. Fantastic .. Thanks for sharing.
Beautiful photos, those horses look almost like some mystical ice beings.
Not much of a horse guy, but these animals are absolutely exquisite! Their coats are breathtaking.
Beautiful ! wild animals in the wild. Where they should be. :)
Hello Magpie, and humans should be put on Mars. We've done so much damage to this Earth. Some days I don't if I should cry or yell my pain because of all the destruction done to Nature.
Majestic. Makes them look like kelpi or something. Oh and yes, Iceland has been on my list for a while. The place just looks...surreal. Like this isn't even the Earth we know.
it is. i went there last summer and drove all the way around it. each region is unique. breathtaking and worth every penny.
Iceland is a very beautiful place, We would go back in a heart beat. We rode the horses there, the ride is a lot different then horses in the USA. Their horses are decedents from viking horses way back when.
If i remember correctly, they are the only horse in the world that can do all the types of horse gaits...
i still have the original national geographic picture of this - from 1960something wild-horse...5d258b.jpg
Beautiful. Just simply Beautiful.
Beautiful creatures!
Drew, your work is absolutely stunning!! My dad was stationed in Iceland and loved it, and I've always wanted to go. Your pictures have definitely shown the incredible beauty of Iceland and it's horses!!!
Icelandic horses are amazing. Interesting fact: once a horse leaves Iceland, it's never allowed to come back.
Remind me of photos of the French Carmargue horses - and of course the Old Spice Advert - or was it Guinness? - the wild horses in the tide
Guinness :)
these look like pics from beyond the wall
Fortunately no white walkers!
Yes, a bit less red paint splashed about!
He definitely nailed it! Beautiful and powerful photographs and horses.
Simply breathtaking.
Absolutely stunning!
What a BRILLIANT photographer! Wonderful pics! What a great calendar to give to my mom!
Kudos to the Potographer! ;)
When you see this kind of rugged beauty, it’s no wonder they filmed parts of Game of Thrones there.
Beautiful beings.
I have been to Iceland it is gorgeous! I did not get the chance to see these horses but I will be going back. These photographs are beautiful!!
Ok look i live in Iceland and that aint iceland #scam
Beautiful horses. I live in Canada and around here the only horses I get to see are penned in farm horses. But one time we were going on a family drive and drove by this huge horse pen like miles long and saw the horses running thru a big puddle together, it was so beautiful.
I have always loved Icelandic Horses. These pictures are something out of a dream. Beautiful work. Being in Iceland is never work. It's magical. They are amazing creatures. I hope to meet one one day when I go to visit my Grandfather's village.
Most Mortals are just not magical enough to see their horns
What a stunning collection of photos! What the heck is that straight up and down, black rock formations? I have never seen anything like that in nature and its an amazing backdrop to the white horse!
These are incredible!
Sometimes I wonder about people writing/speaking in phrases they obviously don't understand. How can we know if one of these horses is whimsical by nature, let alone that all of them are whimsical. I'm whimsical and people I've worked with for 10 years don't even know that.
you do not see grass... what will they eat?
Screw the perps in Iceland who keep killing endangered whales!
Screw the perps in Iceland for killing endangered whales, but the horses are lovely.
You know your life is shit when wild horses look better than you even after you've spent five hours having your hair and make up done to go out that night :=(
very professional and probably took a lot of efforts
I always wanted to go to Iceland until I found out they still hunt whales, including this year a Blue Whale and some of the endangered Fin Whales. I will never go until this barbaric practise is outlawed for good.
I'd rather look at the beautiful pictures than go there myself....Brrrr!
their curls are fabulous
I love the line: And will perhaps inspire some people to take a trip to Iceland themselves. You would go to Iceland in the winter to see some horses?
Majestic ??? They're freakin' COLD !
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
That's a lot of Photoshop
I think they're really unicorns and he's photoshopping the horns out to keep their secret.
*plays illuminati theme song*
wait! illuminati have their own theme song??? i checked it on google anf it's the theme song from X-Files... waaaat!??
Shhh it's a secret!
Stunning photographs and such beautiful horses. I love Iceland - would love to go back again.
i bought 150 national Geographic magazines from 1950 to 1965 for £10 - the photography was amazing
I had to get rid of them due to a house move - but kept all the best pages - the photography was amazing back then
i still have the original cover of the green eyed Afghan child
Lovely - I know the photo you mean.
Yep...was gonna holiday to Florida, but looks like I'm going to Iceland now.
hahaha, I love this comment!
Thanks :P
Yes! I love icelandic horses so much! <3 They do this crazy gait called a Tölt, its so cute!
These took my breath away! Wonderful photographers know how yo really make you feel something without using or saying a word.
That was incredible. Beautiful. Inspiring. Fantastical. Oh so many words and emotions. Fantastic .. Thanks for sharing.
Beautiful photos, those horses look almost like some mystical ice beings.
Not much of a horse guy, but these animals are absolutely exquisite! Their coats are breathtaking.
Beautiful ! wild animals in the wild. Where they should be. :)
Hello Magpie, and humans should be put on Mars. We've done so much damage to this Earth. Some days I don't if I should cry or yell my pain because of all the destruction done to Nature.
Majestic. Makes them look like kelpi or something. Oh and yes, Iceland has been on my list for a while. The place just looks...surreal. Like this isn't even the Earth we know.
it is. i went there last summer and drove all the way around it. each region is unique. breathtaking and worth every penny.
Iceland is a very beautiful place, We would go back in a heart beat. We rode the horses there, the ride is a lot different then horses in the USA. Their horses are decedents from viking horses way back when.
If i remember correctly, they are the only horse in the world that can do all the types of horse gaits...
i still have the original national geographic picture of this - from 1960something wild-horse...5d258b.jpg
Beautiful. Just simply Beautiful.
Beautiful creatures!
Drew, your work is absolutely stunning!! My dad was stationed in Iceland and loved it, and I've always wanted to go. Your pictures have definitely shown the incredible beauty of Iceland and it's horses!!!
Icelandic horses are amazing. Interesting fact: once a horse leaves Iceland, it's never allowed to come back.
Remind me of photos of the French Carmargue horses - and of course the Old Spice Advert - or was it Guinness? - the wild horses in the tide
Guinness :)
these look like pics from beyond the wall
Fortunately no white walkers!
Yes, a bit less red paint splashed about!
He definitely nailed it! Beautiful and powerful photographs and horses.
Simply breathtaking.
Absolutely stunning!
What a BRILLIANT photographer! Wonderful pics! What a great calendar to give to my mom!
Kudos to the Potographer! ;)
When you see this kind of rugged beauty, it’s no wonder they filmed parts of Game of Thrones there.
Beautiful beings.
I have been to Iceland it is gorgeous! I did not get the chance to see these horses but I will be going back. These photographs are beautiful!!
Ok look i live in Iceland and that aint iceland #scam
Beautiful horses. I live in Canada and around here the only horses I get to see are penned in farm horses. But one time we were going on a family drive and drove by this huge horse pen like miles long and saw the horses running thru a big puddle together, it was so beautiful.
I have always loved Icelandic Horses. These pictures are something out of a dream. Beautiful work. Being in Iceland is never work. It's magical. They are amazing creatures. I hope to meet one one day when I go to visit my Grandfather's village.
Most Mortals are just not magical enough to see their horns
What a stunning collection of photos! What the heck is that straight up and down, black rock formations? I have never seen anything like that in nature and its an amazing backdrop to the white horse!
These are incredible!
Sometimes I wonder about people writing/speaking in phrases they obviously don't understand. How can we know if one of these horses is whimsical by nature, let alone that all of them are whimsical. I'm whimsical and people I've worked with for 10 years don't even know that.
you do not see grass... what will they eat?
Screw the perps in Iceland who keep killing endangered whales!
Screw the perps in Iceland for killing endangered whales, but the horses are lovely.
You know your life is shit when wild horses look better than you even after you've spent five hours having your hair and make up done to go out that night :=(
very professional and probably took a lot of efforts
I always wanted to go to Iceland until I found out they still hunt whales, including this year a Blue Whale and some of the endangered Fin Whales. I will never go until this barbaric practise is outlawed for good.
I'd rather look at the beautiful pictures than go there myself....Brrrr!
their curls are fabulous
I love the line: And will perhaps inspire some people to take a trip to Iceland themselves. You would go to Iceland in the winter to see some horses?
Majestic ??? They're freakin' COLD !
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
That's a lot of Photoshop