New Ties, Old Rails
by bobnospum

Comment:
I'd have to say that black and white is a good choice for this subject. Desaturation worked okay here but using the channel mixer often gets far better results. (In GIMP: Filters -> Colors - Channel Mixer...)

I'd agree with colorcarnival in taking a different perspective. Maybe laying on the tracks themselves (if they aren't in use) might be an approach. Rails can convey motion and can conjure up thoughts of travel. Use the rails to take us somewhere.

You also mention you had highlights in the gravel you didn't care for. Shooting from the other side would have made the scene have easier lighting to shoot.

Hopefully these comments will help.

Water Cowboy
by acoppola

Comment:
So I might not be the first to indicate this but I probably won't be the last.

This does not meet the challenge.

Its a nice boat shot but it has nothing to do cowboys and would have been more appropriate to enter in a free study.

A Loaded Six String on My Back
by timfythetoo

Comment:
lol...I swear I only count 4 at the bottom and I see all six at the top. I guess the finer strings blend right in.

Interesting take on the challenge. I have to admit that I don't really consider Bon Jovi to be country and Dead or Alive references his time on tour. On the other hand, I've been to a few rodeos where we sit around the fire at night and someone pulls out a guitar and starts to play.

Aside from that, I like the black and white conversion. Overall, a nice shot that I am sure that will do fairly well in this challenge.

Riata Dreams
by GeneralE

Comment:
The angle makes it really hard to tell what we are looking at. The extra noise, while adding to the old time feeling of the shot is also a bit distracting.

The Day is Done
by sailracer_98

Comment:
I'd like to see a different background for this shot. The crop is also a little tight and cuts off the hat.

leave me if you need to, I will still remember
by Jutilda

Comment:
Great lighting and interesting use of negative space.

His Hat
by LadyK

Comment:
Could use more room at the top above the hat. The posts work well for creating leading lines to the hat.

I'm a Cowboy, on a Steel Horse I Ride.
by TacTZilla

Comment:
Shoehorn or a creative approach to the challenge? You'll probably hear comments of both types throughout the voting period.

Interesting use of selective desaturation here to create a stronger separation from the background. Nice crop to add focus to the rider's eyes.

When I'm Ridin'
by Hipychik

Comment:
I don't know if the HDR look works with this subject (in my opinion). It makes the hair on the horse look bristly. Also there is a great deal of haloing here which detracts from what is a pretty good shot.

An homage to Sean's 'Just a Good Ol' Boy'
by Quigley

Comment:
Really tough light to work with. I'd like to see some fill from the left side though that may not have been possible. Great tribute shot that I think Sean would appreciate.