hoping to get a response.....

[HMDH3]

Hi, maybe I posted this picture in the wrong sub catgagory last time....I was hoping to get some ideas how to take the chain link fence out of the background since to me it's very distracting. I do love the size comparison of the horse (Gunny) and my daughter leading him. anybody out there with some advice? also, how would you reshoot this picture if you had the oppertunity? thank you in advance for a response. :)

http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh223/tara4574/hailey2009/Picture076-2.jpg

[poloman]

I would reshoot it if that is easy to accomplish. You have chopped off a hoof.
If not, the fence can be cloned out pretty quickly. Note: I did this very quickly... it could be better.

[Todd Lambert]

I'd reshoot it with more room on the right side, so the horses aren't cut off.

Just be mindful of what is in the background, try and think of the image before you take it (not always possible, but...) If you can't get the background better and if you have a fast lens, you can use a larger aperture and blur the background out, so it's not noticeable.

[HMDH3]

Thank You!!! 10k times over! I just caught this at the last min, and trying to hold my horse at the same time...I will try to reshoot this spring when the winter hair is all shed off. did I mention Thank you?? thank you? and THANK YOU?! :)

[Flo]

I would love to see the other side of the horse and daughter;)

[HMDH3]

Thank you all. I very much appreciate your assistance!

[HMDH3]

I'll try to get one with her in it next year. She thought she was "HOT" stuff getting to put away "all by her self" here's another but she riding....I personally don't like several things about the picture over all, but the kid and the horse are cute IMO. ;) http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh223/tara4574/hailey2009/Picture066.jpg This is straight off the camera BTW.

[SJC from VT]

She is adorable...front and back. I love shots taken from behind! Some good advice already given. Poloman did a great job with his editing skills.

[advaitin]

If there is room to do so, always try to move either yourself or your subject so you can get a shot without cluttered background or foreground. And those durn cowboy hats have to be set back a bit so you can see the eyes.

[HMDH3]

"She is adorable...front and back. I love shots taken from behind! Some good advice already given. Poloman did a great job with his editing skills."

~Thanks, I think so too!!! I can't imagine what Poloman could do with a little time!! amazing!

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"If there is room to do so, always try to move either yourself or your subject so you can get a shot without cluttered background or foreground. And those durn cowboy hats have to be set back a bit so you can see the eyes."

agreed I'll try that next time. we had a big accomplisment that day and she HAD to wear her hat like "a real cowgirl" (loped for the first time alone)

[Flo]

Meant to say that you have some beautiful steeds...

Had a quick play with the last one...she is beaming:D
http://macymae.smugmug.com/Animals/Animals/Picture066/712147848_hx75R-L.jpg

Biggest thing with the photos you posted are the backgrounds.if you can isolate your daughter and the horse, there will be less to worry about!

[HMDH3]

Thanks FLO. that helps a lot. I think we have some good stock. ;) but I'm bias lol.
thanks for the edit, that sure helps. I downloaded DDP last night so I'm hoping I can adjust some of my past photos to make them a little better. bad thing about the barn is not really senic for photos. :( I'll try taking pictures in the arena this spring where I can tie mine up and not have to worry about him trying to smell/eat my camera lol.

[jetcode]

IMO the chain link fence is a part of this scene at this time. I personally think it is a mistake to romanticize a photograph unless there is a really good reason for doing so. My only comment is that the image feels right heavy in the frame. I might crop closer to the girl (leaving some of the rusted gate) to balance the subject weight found in the right side. I think it's a very nice image.

[Flo]

IMO the chain link fence is a part of this scene at this time. I personally think it is a mistake to romanticize a photograph unless there is a really good reason for doing so. My only comment is that the image feels right heavy in the frame. I might crop closer to the girl (leaving some of the rusted gate) to balance the subject weight found in the right side. I think it's a very nice image.

I disagree, but thats the part about C&C that is interesting. I like the chain link portion out of frame.....I don't see it as integral at all.the horses and the girl are the subjects for me......I don't think it romanticizes at all. I am looking forward to HM seeing full frame before he clicks.he has some fabulous subjects to work with!

[jetcode]

I disagree, but thats the part about C&C that is interesting. I like the chain link portion out of frame.....I don't see it as integral at all.the horses and the girl are the subjects for me......I don't think it romanticizes at all. I am looking forward to HM seeing full frame before he clicks.he has some fabulous subjects to work with!

flo ... one of the things I was taught about critique is not to critique a person who is offering a critique ... in the world of the subjective little is accomplished by this as it becomes a battle of the wills over who is right ... the goal is to offer the poster a singular response so they can pick and choose from all the different responses and apply them as they see fit.

[jetcode]

I think if the chain fence had not been a part the scene would be less cluttered so I agree. If anything I find that if an image is naturally magnificent it will be seen that way but if it is not it is equally valid, at least for me. We all love a keeper but have you ever come back 2 years later and rediscovered some images you set aside because they didn't make the grade the first time around? I don't want to get too lost here but I like reality photography as well as naturally stunning imagery.

For me this image invokes the notion of a young girl participating in the life of a real working ranch.

[HMDH3]

Thanks everyone for your responses and suggestions. I had a great idea for Christmas cards involving Gunny (the horse) and my daughter. I'm super excited to take them but will have to wait until I go to the folks as the horses are at thier place not mine :( I will post yet another I found from that day and see if it's a little better composition. I hope to hear from you all again!!! I can't thank you enough for your help! I have learned 10 times more than I knew before I joined this forum in the short time I've been on here! simply amazing, and I'm developing a true obsession!!!