Hello from Belize
by RLS

Comment by JPR:
well hello to you too tucan sam. my what pretty colors you have. i like the motion like blur in the background too, is that from wind?

Hello from Belize
by RLS

Comment by Malokata:
Nice shot, but it looks to be a bit oversharpened. The grain in the foreground leaf, particularly, is distracting.

Bucko
by RLS

Comment by ursula:
FROM THE CRITIQUE CLUB

Hi, Bob,

"Bucko" is a very good entry into the Duotones challenge. It's one of the better duotoes, and your score reflects that. I think that there are two things that went agains you here: one, the border; two, there were a lot of good entries to the challenge.

About the picture itself: lighting, DOF, colour, all that is very good, as is the crop. The horse itself is a good looking horse. I love the grass in front and behind the horse's head, how it is so clear right around it, light with dark tips, and fades into a blur into the distance - to me the grass is the most beautiful part of the picture. I like the blurred background - works really well here.

The composition is excellent. Probably the most controversial aspect of your entry is the border. It goes well with the colours of the picture, but it attracts too much attention (thus the negative/positive reactions to it). IMO, a border should simply enhance the picture, but not attract so much attention that people focus more on it than on the picture itself.

Oh well. Congratulations on an excellent photo, very good finish, and ... keep up the good work!

Ursula (uabresch)
Complaints, comments, questions ... feel free to contact me.

Bucko
by RLS

Comment by Sonifo:
This is a beautiful picture. I can't believe mine beat yours. I love the way the grass looks. You did good. I hope you plan to sell this.

Bucko
by RLS

Comment by connie:
Wonderful wonderful shot! Just perfect!

Bucko
by RLS

Comment by frisca:
I'd lose the heavy border because it is distracting from an otherwise wonderful shot. I love the portrait-style presentation and the crop which focusses our attention on the mouth and nose of this horse. The textures of the field are also wonderfully lit.

Bucko
by RLS

Comment by casualguy:
Listen here BUCKO! (just wanted to say that). Nicely composed, love the area of the horses head in the grass, nice! (maybe a bit more cropping at the top would have appealed to me more, not sure). Beautiful animal, great job!

Bucko
by RLS

Comment by LindaLee:
Love the shot, not crazy about the border. The shot is beautiful in it's simplicity, the depth of field is perfect, and I really like the composition. I would have wished for a bit more light on the horse, but nevertheless, well done.

Bucko
by RLS

Comment by sher:
beautiful tones and i love the cropping. well done!

Bucko
by RLS

Comment by ruthiek:
Very nice -- I like the tones and the frame, as well as overall mood of the photo.