Daniel Naude: Animal Farm

South African photographer Daniel Naude has been making the web rounds with a new series of portraits featuring domesticated species, beautifully lit against the epic expanses of their environment. His dog portraits (the Africanis series) appeared on my radar last year and I fell immediately for the haunting images of feral canines. This time the desert dogs are joined by brindled cattle, humble equines, and a handful of sheep and goats. In exploring the rural South African countryside and gathering stories from native farmers and herders, Naude was deeply influenced by the traditions and mutual connections between domesticated animals and the humans who care for and depend on them. His images are as piercingly uncomfortable as they are sensitive and lush... "In front of the photographs, we find ourselves on the same eye level as the subjugated animals, extending their knowing gaze to us and reminding us of our uneasy dominion over them."

More of Naude's photographs can be found at www.danielnaude.com