Cow Horse
by Ristyz

Comment by zeuszen:

Originally posted by Ristyz: Originally posted by zeuszen: A potentially good photo depicting poor riding skills on a torturously unhappy horse. I very much respect this user for leaving this comment. This horse happened to be very passionate about her cow and is not being tortured in any way (I checked the position of the spur in the original to make sure) I too think the riders leg and foot position is less than perfect, however this is a VERY fast action disclipline and the photo is but a moment in time.

Fair enough. As someone who has spent a lifetime training and riding, I'd be inclined to use passionate language.

I do not believe or mean to say the rider (or anyone else knowingly) tortured this animal. What I see, however, is a horse whose head is nearly half a foot behind the bit, with his mouth gaping and his ears as flat back as can be. The rider sits in a chair seat, heal up with toe pointed out (unable to apply seat and leg aids in this position). The reigns are slack, indicating that the contortion is not caused by the riders hands but by his imbalance on the horse's back, which may indeed be excused considering pace and passion.

My objection, categorically, is with a shot that demonstratively captures a moment which cannot serve as an example of horsemanship and the glory which some unsuspecting viewers may associate with their idea of riding and fun. In other words, this image does not teach. My expectation as a riding viewer was that it could have and, perhaps, should.

I apologize for the terse language of my original comment, however, which was inspired by my particular predisposition as a horseman first, rather than by the enthusiasm of an unspecialized photographer.

Message edited by author 2006-02-08 12:49:15.

Landing the Leap
by Ristyz

Comment by Lilhoop:
Nice composition. Great angle!

Landing the Leap
by Ristyz

Comment by aznym:
Nice!

Landing the Leap
by Ristyz

Comment by espy2:
This is so funny. I was going to enter this very same photo using my daughters Aussie Shephard, but I got just the face in perfect focus and all else was blurred. I was advised against it because of those factors, as it was really not motion panning. Due to this, I didn't enter it. I see yours unfortunately also has no real exact focus and pretty blurred. I will give it a 5 though for effort and near exact of my own. I entered broken instead. :)

DreamWeb.jpg
by Ristyz

Comment by macrothing:
'6' or '7', maybe - hypothetically. Again the deliberate processing, but just a fraction too much for my 'taste', but your call and your taste so doesn't matter. Difficult with this coloring and scene, but just more detail, less seemingly 'overexposure', also likely have helped this in my opinion.

Cow Horse
by Ristyz

Comment by macrothing:
I gave this a 7. Seemed a little too over-processed in my opinion, but I realize it was likely your intent. I recall noticing how the horse's mane looked shaved. The shot looks like it is tilted, but just might be the perspective. Possibly also incorporating a little more of the rider, if you had it, obviously, or just 'something' to gain a little more balance, may have also made this better in my opinion.

Cow Horse
by Ristyz

Comment by Ristyz:

Originally posted by zeuszen: A potentially good photo depicting poor riding skills on a torturously unhappy horse.

I very much respect this user for leaving this comment. This horse happened to be very passionate about her cow and is not being tortured in any way (I checked the position of the spur in the original to make sure) I too think the riders leg and foot position is less than perfect, however this is a VERY fast action disclipline and the photo is but a moment in time.

Landing the Leap
by Ristyz

Comment by MayaM:
Wish a bit more of your subject were in focus. Good example of motion panning.

Cow Horse
by Ristyz

Comment by ramevi:
Very nice! soft focus works real good here!

Cow Horse
by Ristyz

Comment by KaDi:
Dreamy!