Anticipation
by psart

Comment:
This would be a good action shot but it is a bit too busy. Now the cowboy and the horse ARE in the center of the composition which signal that they are the main subjects BUT there are other elements that detract the eye's focus away from them. The cowboys sitting on the sidelines behind the rider and the people in the stands & and other cowboy on horseback in the upper right hand portion of the photo. I know that it may have been difficult given that you had to stay where you were seated but a composition which showed the front of the horse and rider would have been less busy. It would have been cropped or zoomed in close so that the horse and rider dominate or fully fill the composition. Taking the composition as it is here you could have cropped closer to the main rider to chop out those two cowboys on the left - that would help strengthen it and make it less busy. The other suggestion is that you may have had time to take the shot (before he burst from the stalls) to wait for that cowboy on horseback in the top right to get out of the frame. That too would have helped make the scene a little less busy. There is also something odd about the post-processing because there are strange blotches on the sleeve on your main subject and the body of the horse. Just working with the composition as it is now it would have greatly improved the photo if you had captured more of the face of this cowboy. His face is too hidden. Faces and facial expressions add visual interest and that would have helped this photo.

RIP Sean
by Moose408

Comment:
I really like the idea and the composition has strong bones but it needs a little more work to push it into the above average category. First off, wonderful idea to have a cowboy show emotion and capturing a tear falling down his face. But without the title there is no other element IN the composition itself to SPECIFICALLY show mourning the loss of a fallen comrade. "Show us" will strengthen the emotional and visual impact far more than just "Telling us". One example would be is to have a cross in silhouette and perhaps a sunset in the backdrop just over his shoulder. Lighting is good for it illuminates his face but could be better for there are deep shadows that fall on his neck from the collar - try experimenting with the light set up to avoid the deep shadows. Lighting on the tear is good because it is very visible. However there is something about the tear that makes it look a little artificial. The width of the top of the tear is much fatter than the thin trail and the pear drop of the end of the tear. 'Thin' that up and it will look more natural. Now to the other 'strong bones' of the composition. I like that you only show us half the face for it is a visual cue that this cowboy has lost his best mate such that a portion of him has been 'ripped' away as he grieves. Next we do not see the eye 'which is a window to the soul' but we do see a single tear. The fact that the brim covers the eye of the cowboy immediately calls attention to the tear.

A Loaded Six String on My Back
by timfythetoo

Comment:
Love the title. You have some very strong compositional elements here. The guitar tilted at the diagonal of which the lines follow or nearly follow the opposite corners of the photo. The guitar slung on the back of this cowboy invokes the imagery of the 'singing' cowboy and the song "Home on the Range". The B&W compliments the photo nicely for it helps us focus on the details such as the textures in the hat and the contrasts in the shirt and neck of the guitar. Really nice B&W tones in this one - very dynamic and not flat. Lighting is for the most part wonderful. My only two critiques which would have bumped this into the 8 or higher range is that I wish the cowboy had turned just enough so we would get a true profile - one that would not have his chin hidden behind the shoulder. The second is that the lighting be just a bit more under the brim of the hat to see the eye and the nose in the profile. Having a stronger side profile of this cowboy I feel would heighten the visual interest. Bumping up to a 7.

Well Worn, The Cowboy Way.
by Ivory

Comment:
Some really nice tone-mapping on this composition. I like that the western boots step up as the front and center main subject of this photo. The background also adds visual interest for we see a cow pasture (at least they look like cows more than horses to me) and some barns along with fence. That backdrop also shows the working environment of the main subject. Love the details and the highlights & shadows on the boots. The only critique I have is that the backdrop is tilted to the right whereas the boots are level this makes the world seem lop-sided and appear odd to the eye. Having the horizon level as well as the main subject would be less confusing to the eye.

Little Buckaroo
by pearlseyes

Comment:
Great lighting and strong composition on this portrait of a young un'. This little cowboy is the main focus of this photo and the color, focus, lighting and details are excellent. Love the texture of the wood on the barn door that acts as the backdrop for this cowboy.

At Day's End
by Lydia

Comment:
Love the silhouette of this cowboy and his best bud, the horse. Also the composition is very strong with a frame within a frame - the dark barn acts as a frame that shows us a moment frozen in time as the cowboy gets ready to saddle up and ride his horse. I also like how the background is in nice focus showing us the outside environment of trees and fence. We really get the sense of a ranch in a forested country. Another strong element in the photo composition is the choice to have that backdrop in sepia. That gives us the feel of not only a time of the ol' west but it also compliments the main subjects which are in silhouette. Color would just compete and draw the eyes attention away from the main subject and may or maynot add to the mood that you have captured of the ol' west. Good job.

Eternal Friendship
by senor_kasper

Comment:
Oh wow way to do a shot to honor a fellow DPCer! This has many elements of JawnyRico's blue ribbon The Cowboy - from the sunset hues to the silhouette of the main subject. But that is where it stops for now the horse is without his rider. His friend has passed. In memory of JawnyRico there is a cross bearing a cowboy hat and a camera (nice touch by the way) Lighting and compositional elements are very strong in this photo. The title also strengthens the emotions and mood of the picture. Very well done bumping up to 9.

White Hat in B&W
by jgrieco

Comment:
Very nice tones and contrasts. Strong composition with the subject filling the frame and wonderfully lighted so that we can appreciate the details of this young cowboy (no deep shadows fall on the young man's face to obscure his features). Love the hand on the brim for it seems like he has turned his attention to us and is about to take off his hat and say "Howdy Mam'" or "Howdy partner". Very strong personable shot for your subject immediately greets us as we look at the photo. This one lassos an 8.

8x10-CRW_5330a_dpc.jpg
by dsa157

Comment:
Holy cow! Had I not seen the original photograph I would have thought this to be a vector art pin-up. This definately exudes the mood and still of the old pin-up art. Since the 40's pin-up style was the mood and feel you were going for in the final edit I would say you have nailed it. The pose & dress (with bold contrasting striped dress) of the model was excellent and works well against the backdrop of the circle - and the ivory color to the background just gives a feel of aged, but well loved 'poster'/magazine/calendar paper.

bee
by yanko

Comment:
Very nice final version here. I like how you cropped to bring us closer to your main subject. The original was good but bringing us closer to your main subject is a definate plus especially when you can see more details. In the close-up version we really get to see the details in the 'hairs' on the upper body of the bee and the eye (love that gleam that really comes out and is more noticable with the post-processing). I also love how the background colors have shifted to a more pastel hues - perfect complimentary backdrop for this bee for it invokes the idea of Spring with all the soft colors of that season in the mind of the viewer. Well done.