LEGEND (click for larger view)

All is well done and I don't see a subject for a lot of dispute! I can only say that I expected the silhouette on the left to be lion or a panther! The sky and all has a dramatic approach to it and a horse isn't to be expected in dramatic spectacles! But I don't find it to be a shortcoming! It tells something very strong! Well done, Alf! As always!

 

Best regards

 

PDE

Very powerful composition, the sky and clouds are beautifully detailed and the exposition is perfect to my taste, even if its not according to rules, but rules are made to be broken, is not it?  The title suit the image so well. Excellent work Alf!

Take care.

Patrick

Well, I have always been a bit of a 'Rebel' when it comes to 'Rules'. I've just always wondered 'who made them' and 'what made them the be all and end all' in regards to most 'subjects'. You assessed the conditions and the intent you decided upon worked out well for you. A very unusual composition that has been very well received. I like it very much, still a bit of the 'mystical' in it for me.

:)Gail

No Lions of Panthers on Llandwynne Island ( thankfully) but maybe I could have pasted a horn on the horse and he would then be a Unicorn! 

But of course I simply don't have the Pierre Dumas gift for these things! 

 

Sincere Thanks and Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

PATRICK

 

There are no rules in photography, but there are the suggested guidelines that we all refer to as rules.  And, yes, it is much better to know them before breaking them! 

Glad you like this one Patrick! 

 

All the best! 

 

Alf 

 

GAIL 

 

Terminology itself has a lot to do with the interpretation of "rules" 

The very word "rules" implies a strict code or order that must must be followed to the letter. When in fact "rules" of photography are merely guidelines for students of the subject to familiarise themselves with in order to achieve acceptable standards.  These guidelines are more a "rule of thumb" an approximation of correctness, a loose profile, a suggestion of placement.  Best to learn them, and then bring them back out of the box, if and when they are needed : - ) 

Yes, I agree with your "mystical" observation.

Glad you like this one Gail and thank you for your kind words! 

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

 

Do you have that pony on retainer yet?  What else can I add that has not been said by all the others?  It is a great shot, you already realize it's one shortcoming, and I can realize your need for speed.  The only other thing I might liked to have seen would be maybe 15-20 degrees more to the left, in and behind the pony.  That might convey a little more of the long walk home at the end of the day feel perhaps.  Another beautiful shot Alf.  Best regards...

 

-Dave

 

Consulting the rules of composition before taking a photograph is like consulting the laws of gravity before taking a walk...-:). A photograph is a story and a story is a series of sentences connected to each other. This picture tells a very eloquent and dramatic story. Sincere compliments my friend.

 

Dimitris.

Thank you so much for your interest and thoughtful feedback! 

Time was of the essence, the pony was about to descend the slope at any given moment, so although I wouldn't disagree with your analysis, I just got what I could at the time.  Maybe that's where I'm going wrong......I didn't bribe the pony! : - ) 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

DIMITRIS 

 

I may have to steal that line from you my friend!

"Consulting the rules of composition before taking a photograph is like consulting the laws of gravity before taking a walk" 

It not only made me smile, but therein lay some very wise words! 

 

My Sincere Thanks & Best Regards 

 

Alf 

When I first saw the thumbnail it reminded me of one of those classic scenes from the Desert Southwest with the Coyote overlooking a portion of the Grand Canyon with a tall rock formation on the other side of the frame.

But, . . . this is so much better!

 

The silhouettes work nicely here against that beautiful sky. I really like the faint bit of light on the structure, just enough to separate it from the ground beneath across to the hill the Horse is on. And of course, that bird in the center is a real treat!

 

Cheers always,

Jim j.

Many Thanks for your thoughts and positive feedback, much appreciated! 

 

Nothing quite as grand and The Grand Canyon, but I guess every landscape can look good in the right light. 

I did selectively lighten the lighthouse to the right but I wasn't sure if I'd overdone it, so your words are quite reassuring. 

I can't take any credit for the bird : - ) 

 

Cheers Jim! 

 

Alf 

Hi Alf- Rules are made to be broken & pleased that you did.For the life of me can not figure what rule you broke, not that I am much for rules & perhaps that is my problem.To me it is very visually pleasing,a pleasure to sit back & enjoy.It is also unique, can not recall seeing one quite like yours.Very Best Regards-Ross

At the risk of sounding repetitive, yes, a very sound decision setting the scene in practically silhouetted light.

Very atmospheric, with lovely graphic detail  

(horse, tower, clouds, soaring bird & more subtly, those tufts of grass). 

I like the low cut-off of your composition and the way the photo flows in a semi-circle against the dramatic sky beyond…

Very nice, Alf.

WOW! Amazing and very beautiful! 7!

Best regards, Tina

You are right .........Rules as such do not exist except in the minds of those that seek to enforce them on themselves and sometimes everyone else they come into contact with. 

The guidelines of photography are misappropriately termed "rules" and some people take this as a rigid format that cannot be deviated from.  So I would say you most definately do NOT have a problem : - ) However for the avoidance of doubt, the "rules" I was referring to in this case was the misnamed "Rule of Thirds"

Thank you so much for your thoughts and kind words, it is most gratifying to read that you enjoyed viewing it.

 

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

MARJOLEIN

 

I have attempted scenes like this when it has been near to darkness, but this is the first time I've tried it in broad daylight. After this though I will be a bit more confident in trying it in the future.

Sincere Thanks for your astute observations and positive feedback.

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf

 

TINA

 

Thank you so much!  I'm very pleased you liked it!

 

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

 

 

Magnificent photo Alf, beautiful lighting and sky. Great composition. Silhouettes are very effective. Well done.

Many Thanks for your interest and kind words.

The sky wasn't my first priority, just trying not to blow the highlights was, but it seemed to come together well when I used spot metering for the sky.

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

 

Holger is right in that it is best appreciated when viewed large. I like the balanced composition and the wonderful sky. Horse, bird, human, water, land, building, distant lands! What more could one ask for in an image? A rhetorical question indeed. Congrats!

Well seen and exposured.

I can't take any credit for the bird : - ) 

But the shot was one of those where I could see all the elements present and knew what I wanted to achieve, but literally had to run backwards to get it all in the frame.

I think if I had paused to swap lenses, I would have missed it.

Sincere Thanks for your thoughts and positive feedback, much appreciated! 

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

DALE 

 

Many Thanks for your interest and kind words! 

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

 

 

Stunning when viewed large! I feel as if I am there! Wonderful work and gorgeous light Alf! Thank you for sharing. :)

Thank you so much! .........It was a bit tricky trying to get everything in the frame and there wasn't enough  time to change lenses, but I got there in the end : - ) 

 

Best Regards 

 

 

Alf