by Carla Caruso

Many are entranced by the horses, kept in the paddocks in North Adelaide’s Lefevre Park / Nantu Wama (Park 6).

Among them is parkgoer Andrejs Jaudzems. He’s taken his fascination up another notch, however, by creating a social media page, dedicated solely to them. We chatted to Andrejs about his love of the park, its inhabitants, and his breathtaking images.

*“Off they go, into a fresh paddock,” writes Andrejs Jaudzems.*

Hi, Andrejs. Please tell us about yourself and why you launched the Instagram account, Horses of North Adelaide, last month. Is your page unique in being devoted to the equines?

I’m a local resident who loves the outdoors, photography, and being around animals. Lefevre Park gives me the opportunity to enjoy all three, close to home.

I don’t own a horse, but I’ve been on a couple of trail rides. Horses are such fascinating animals to watch, and over time, I’ve accumulated many photos of those residing at the park.

Rather than keeping them to myself, I thought it would be nice to share my collection with the public, particularly the owners.

I know there’s a Flickr album with photos taken from all around Lefevre Park. However, I believe my Instagram page is the only collection devoted to the horses themselves.

*“Afternoon nap.” Photo: Andrejs Jaudzems.*

Do you have a photography background? Can you share any tips for taking a great pic?

I’ve always had a passion for photography, which originated from capturing landscapes. In a professional capacity, I’ve produced content for individuals and businesses, and have covered weddings, concerts, political meetings, and other commercial events.

Nowadays, photography is mostly a creative outlet, during my spare time, simply capturing the aesthetics of my surroundings.

In my opinion, great photos all come down to lighting and composition. Mornings and evenings offer huge variety in terms of the colour, hardness and direction of natural lighting, which can lead to interesting combinations of foreground and background illumination.

*“Afternoon grazing”. Photo: Andrejs Jaudzems.*

Foggy, sunny mornings are a real treat, so it helps to be an early riser! When it comes to composition, attention should be paid to objects such as trees and grass, which can provide leading lines and subject framing.

Reducing depth of field by shooting with a wide aperture on a telephoto lens is an effective way to isolate subjects, particularly large animals.

Of course, patience is also key when photographing animals. I end up with far, far more ‘ordinary’ photos than ones I consider ‘good’.

How often do you frequent Park 6, and why do you love it?

I visit the park quite regularly – usually once a day, but sometimes several times a day. The vast, open space and its serenity make it the perfect place to relax and escape the daily rush.

No two visits are ever quite the same. Seasonal changes to the vegetation, different weather conditions throughout the day, and changes to the herd (new arrivals are always fascinating to watch!) mean there’s always something new to observe.

Do you have a favourite horse at the park, and why?

I can’t pick a favourite – they all have their own unique personality and appearance.

However, there’s definitely a soft spot [inside] for the ones that come up to the fence to greet you and are intrigued by the camera.

*

Love all things horses? Read our interview with an owner, who has a horse depastured within Park 6.
Some people mistakenly believe that the fences around Park 6 are to keep you out. That’s not the case; the fences are there to keep the horses in, not to keep you out. There’s nothing to stop you wandering through the paddocks, although you are advised not to approach or feed the horses.
Take the Trail Guide through Park 6, including (but not limited to) the horse paddocks.