Thanks to you all for the very kind words and the votes, and I like to share with you the procedure while and after shooting.
First, being able to use ISO as high as 800 on my 60D really helped my 100-400 mm lens in performing much better not only in this photo, but in overall performance.
Second, I noticed that a shutter speeds even as fast as 1/640 or 1/800 were not enough to stop some local muscles’ movements on the horse so I decided to go as high as 1/6400
Third, I used “spot” light metering and introduced about half a stop more of light for the horse being white.
Fourth, Color temperature was set at 5200 Kelvin and I shot in RAW
In Light Room I zeroed out all values and curves and exported few times changing only the exposure value
I used 0, -3 and 3 for the exposures. You can use 0,-1,-2, 1, 2 as many as you want, Then
moved the exported files to Photomatix and did an HDR exercise; but one of the default program’s values worked well with no tweaking.
Took the photo to Photoshop and blurred the already blurred background just a little bit more.
Oh, in Light Room all values were zeroed out except for a value of about 75 on the noise reduction, and I do the cropping in Light Room
Thanks again
Statistics
Place: 1 out of 343 Avg (all users): 7.3987 Avg (commenters): 8.6333 Avg (participants): 7.4400 Avg (non-participants): 7.2424 Views since voting: 10351 Views during voting: 357 Votes: 158 Comments: 99 Favorites: 49 (view)
Well, I am back again too. Nobody mentioned the pose that you have decided to go with - it is if the horse was very shy, a great choice. It emphasizes the innocence and strength at the same time. I am also back to say that I am very pleased you posted the "how to" notes. I am a big fan of photomatix, it brings out the color and the detail so well! You reminded me that for the single image toning creating virtual copies at +-x works very well (I also use Lightroom). Thanks! Good luck with the competition!
Sheesh, I'm back again to look at this...it's just so amazing, and I definitely feel some kind of emotional connection to it...maybe because I have always loved horses so much. I LOVE this, one of the finest photographs I've ever had the pleasure of viewing. Ordering a print is definitely on my list at this point, I don't think I will be satisfied unless I can look at this all the time.
My mouth hit the floor the first time I saw this, and now I can't stop coming back to it. It's just that good. Congrats on winning, I knew it would. Very well done. And it makes me smile too. (-:
I struggle every single day but saw this photo a few days ago and was drawn to it immediately...TODAY I HAD TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK and so glad I did I LOVE IT It is my favorite ANIMAL photo here at DPC for this year by far, Actually my Favorite ANIMAL PHOTO EVER.... THANK YOU for bringing some joy to my life. From shez
That's what all this should be about. Making a positive difference in somebody's life and you did it, Tareq! Congratulations!
I struggle every single day but saw this photo a few days ago and was drawn to it immediately...TODAY I HAD TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK and so glad I did I LOVE IT It is my favorite ANIMAL photo here at DPC for this year by far, Actually my Favorite ANIMAL PHOTO EVER.... THANK YOU for bringing some joy to my life. From shez
Originally posted by HighNooner:
Originally posted by sherpet:
Like everyone has said this is a STUNNING PHOTO of a HORSE.and I lould love to see this in canvas in a BIG format LOVE the detail and textures...STUNNING as I said thank you so much for sharing this and it so deserved the BLUE from shez
I am so honored and glad you liked it. And was just wondering how you been?
Thanks
Tareq
I can do better! I will send you a print of it. Email me your address and I will order a print through DPC prints as soon as I order mine.
I struggle every single day but saw this photo a few days ago and was drawn to it immediately...TODAY I HAD TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK and so glad I did I LOVE IT It is my favorite ANIMAL photo here at DPC for this year by far, Actually my Favorite ANIMAL PHOTO EVER.... THANK YOU for bringing some joy to my life. From shez
Originally posted by HighNooner:
Originally posted by sherpet:
Like everyone has said this is a STUNNING PHOTO of a HORSE.and I lould love to see this in canvas in a BIG format LOVE the detail and textures...STUNNING as I said thank you so much for sharing this and it so deserved the BLUE from shez
I am so honored and glad you liked it. And was just wondering how you been?
Like everyone has said this is a STUNNING PHOTO of a HORSE.and I lould love to see this in canvas in a BIG format LOVE the detail and textures...STUNNING as I said thank you so much for sharing this and it so deserved the BLUE from shez
I am so honored and glad you liked it. And was just wondering how you been?
Like everyone has said this is a STUNNING PHOTO of a HORSE.and I lould love to see this in canvas in a BIG format LOVE the detail and textures...STUNNING as I said thank you so much for sharing this and it so deserved the BLUE from shez
Absolutely stunning. And thank you so much for posting your shooting and post-processing info, I always find it so interesting to see how others work. An amazing piece of work, congratulations.
This was my favorite shot in the challenge and now everytime I log into dpc I get to see it and it keeps getting more and more beautiful to me. It is such a lovely shot and it stands out even in a thumbnail.
Congratulations on the Blue! Absolutely GORGEOUS Tareq - so well done. If you don't win the "Best Arabian Photo" contest, I will be very surprised. Keep us informed of the results.
This is absolutely beautiful. One of the most stunning horse portraits i have seen. From a distance it looks like a finely drawn and subtly colored in pencil sketch.
Absolutely stunning image of a regal animal. I can most definitely see this on the front page of the challenge and perhaps even a ribbon winner. The very best of luck to you in the challenge.
This image is defined in such a way to make it look like a painting. This would have faired beautifully in the pastel challenge. The shades in the hair make me stare long and I love the way you captured the veins.
Missing a horn?
Seriously, a wonderful portrait of a horse that's almost magical, suggesting a unicorn. Love the sheen on the mane, and the pastel smooth background. Wonderful!!
Lovely shot Tareq, it turned out really well, the shadows of the forelock really interact well with the vascularity of the head. I know I'm in the minority, but I still think a touch more room on the right is warranted to balance out the length of shoulder. Great job, ought to ribbon.
PS comment only since I know the shot.
This is one of the most beautiful shots I have ever seen. The pose is just fantastic. Light and compo couldn't be better. I wouldn't be surprised to see this win or very close. Congrats on outstanding work. Thanks.
Forbearing with a Heart of a Rebel
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