Early Morning Dusting

Image Critiques Wildlife Critiques
1

Morning Dusting.jpg
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Critique Style Requested: Standard

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

Description

I captured this mustang stallion “dusting” himself early one morning in the Big Horn Canyon Recreationalal Area. I had shot this herd, the day before in the evening and returned the next morning. This was my first time photographing mustangs. I was very excited ad still am when photographing these magnificent animals.

Specific Feedback

The horse did all the work in terms of dusting himself. While not the best suroundings for a composition, I did my best to focus the image on the subject and mute the suraunding with some added blur and lowering the brightness.

Technical Details

Nikon Z8 Lens Nikon Z 180-600mm f/4.5-6.3 @ 290 mm 1/400 sec ISO 800 F/16. Edited in LR/PS/Topas Photo AI / Nik Collection Color Efex

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2

Wow! A beautiful image of the horse, full of movement and energy. I like the background and the foreground is a good base.

I love the dust but it has reduced the clarity of the horse, particularly the head. Maybe you could add a touch more contrast to the head and mane to anchor the viewers eyes on the subject. Maybe a faster shutter compensated by a lower aperture?

I might be tempted to take a small slice off the bottom?

This is a fine image as is.

1 Like
3

A beautiful image, nicely executed !
I may go in for a more rectangular comp. I agree with @Glenys_Passier about adding a touch more contrast to the head and you may experiment with reducing the contrast in the foreground.

4

Ironically, I did add more contrast to the head but was worried that I was removing too much. Thanks for commenting.

5

Thank you for commenting. I have lots more wild horse images to edit, they are so interesting.