All Legs

Image Critiques Weekly Challenge
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_DSC9733-2.jpg2500Ă—2198 2.75 MB

Critique Style Requested: Standard

The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.

Description

A beautiful, clear day on the Salt River just outside Phoenix, AZ.

I had taken my sister and brother in law to show them the Salt River wild horses, and we lucked into several sightings, among them this grouping of wild horses. It was not until I started working on this particular image on the computer that I noticed the stunning color and patterns of the submerged river rock that was really visible in the shadow of the horse’s legs.

My initial reaction when I first looked at this image was of a somewhat confusing chaos, but the longer I looked at/worked on it, the more I liked all of the emerging details: the legs in the front creating those wonderful shadows exposing the river rock, the reflection of the horse in the back adding to the mystery of the image, the blue sky giving the finishing touch to the photo. I hope you enjoy it!

Specific Feedback

All feedback welcomed.

Technical Details

135mm, ISO 320, 1/1000 sec, f/5

Critique Template

Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.

  • Vision and Purpose:
  • Conceptual:
  • Emotional Impact and Mood:
  • Composition:
  • Balance and Visual Weight:
  • Depth and Dimension:
  • Color:
  • Lighting:
  • Processing:
  • Technical:
1 Like
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A very unique image - I like it a lot. At F5, you didn’t have enough DOF to get all the legs and stones sharp, but that’s fine, and it adds interest, imo.
Great to have seen this!

3

Fritz, the strong white/blue and dark tones grab attention. Then it takes some looking to understand what the scene is. It’s definitely an attention grabber.

4

A fantastic image!!! Amazing detail and color, incredible composition!!! My only question might be the half rock at the top edge, but I spent a long time enjoying all the details before I even noticed it.

5

@Mark_Seaver @Diane_Miller @SandyR-B Thank you, all for your feedback!

Mark, the intense blue sky reflection on the water is what originally drew me in.

Diane, glad you really like this image :slight_smile: I did clone out a bit of litter that was floating on the water, and a couple of rocks as well. Did want to leave a couple, just to keep the feel of the scene. Did you mean the one on the very top edge, just off center? I will give it another look.

Sandy, I agree with you on the DOF; I did have the settings in a way I could capture the horses in action. They rear up with very little notice, hence the settings to allow for fast enough shutter speed to capture any sudden action. At the same time, as you mentioned as well, I think the shallow DOF somehow works here, as it emphasizes the legs in the front, leaving the back reflection to add to the story without grabbing too much attention.

Again, thank you all for your feedback. It really helps to have other set of eyes go over an image!

6

Yes, that’s the one. A nitpick, for sure!

7

That was a great suggestion, Diane! Once you pointed it out, I could not
“un-see” it. Cloned it out, and really like it.

8

You’re welcome! A totally incredible image!!!

1 Like