Sean The Sheep

Now this is a true story .......makes a change I hear you say, but yes

it's true! : - ) .....There I was hunched over my camera, intent on getting

a decent shot of the valley below, when to my utter dismay a car

stopped right in the middle of the shot on the road that runs parallel with

the wall that is behind Seans head, muttering curses under my breath

at the poor unsuspecting driver of the vehicle, I started to release my

camera from the tripod, when into view ambles Sean The Sheep, to my

absolute astonishment Sean stopped right front of my view of the

offending car and turned to look straight at me, I looked through the

viewfinder and yessss! the car was totally hidden from view, Sean

obligingly stopped perfectly still for a couple minutes and I took a few

more shots..............who said Sheep were not intelligent!!

Your thoughts and comments are always very welcome!

Thank You.

More intelligent than a lot of people, the two actually have a lot in common.Love the shot and what a valley.

Decent landscape. Nice image of the sheep in foreground. I might have even used my zoom to get the sheep to occupy a larger portion of the shot if one had the time, of course, since the story is the sheep story and not the nice valley.  One can't do it all and what you got can be cropped some of course.. Oh and sorry, I do not numerically rates stuff, a crazy exercise and sideshow to the learning process,.aloha and good tidings and happy trails wherever you reside, cheers,gs

You got bot a nice valley and a sheep that makes the valley alive. Well composed. The color is rich. Amazing depth to the valley. Nice story but nicer picture. Regards, ifti

...and impressive vibrat and rich green tones. ....a perfectly composed scene Alf....

Beautiful valley, but I am afraid I am more a fan of the sheep especially since you shared your story! What a smart and adorable guy! Thank you so much for sharing! :)

Here in New Zealand I have seen many sheep and this one does seem to look much more intelligent than most I have seen !

I do love the richness of the greens, and the slope of the valley.  The meandering walls are great.  They all add to make a unusual and unique perspective.  Must be your karma.

Warm regards

Jim

Sean the Sheep saved your day Alf. I love your background stories to some of your images. Sean must have felt some photographic connection to you and wanted to make sure he was center of stage. Next time you are in trouble when people or cars or whatever are blocking your view, just whistle and Sean the Sheep will save the day.

A wonderful landscape with a fantastic deep. Rich vivid colours and the rich details due to great focus and post treatment. As always with this you are in your right elements. Take good care Alf, say hello to Sean and all the best to you and the family from Jannica

Alf,

   You always impress me with your stories & your images are always amazing.  A man of many talents. Beautiful image with wonderful colors & details, also Sean is very handsome. Take care, Patsy

Well you know what they say about Welsh sheep Alf:--)) Anyway with or without Sean this is an excellent shot with the lush green vegation of the valleys looking so beautiful....well done mate.

What a great photo Alf,this is just beatutiful and so sharp to,well done,regards Grant...

The sheep makes all the difference between a good and an exceptional picture, it looks completely natural as if it would be in its living room, a real 'pro' model sheep ;-)

...I know Shaun and Shirley from CBBC, but Sean?... Love the scenery and different shades of green. Guess it took you a while to get him in that place..;)

I like it the way you have it here. All the various shades of green was my major attraction and the sheep is the meat - I mean icing on the cake.

Beautiful valley Alf, and excellent use of the local talent! Love the lush green, and I suspect Sean does too! Great story, and excellent image.

All the best,
Neil

Excellent work with impressive details and lighting, Alf!

Alf....  Well, what a shot and what a story! Beautifully green and Sean... uh, I'm not asking how you know it's name :-)... Mike

This is too good, Alf.

"The shepherd always tries to persuade the sheep that their interests and his own are the same."

Stendhal

Looking straight at you from all that green, it seems Sean is reading your mind! Nice shot.

Regards, Tibi

Humble apologies to everyone for the late response, I was asked by an online photography magazine to write an Artical/Tutorial, so it took up quite a bit more time than I originaly thought it would, The good news is It's been Posted! If anyone is interested in a link to the article send me an email

BIRTE

Many thanks for your visit and comments, and I'm really pleased you like it. You are quite right, sheep are very intelligent, they might not be able to drive a car, but then thats only because cars are not suitable for the type of terrain they inhabit : - )

Cheers Birte Take Care

Alf

GERRY

Many thanks for your visit and kind words and observations. I might have zoomed in also, but I was using a 50mm prime lens and therefore that option wasn't available to me, but I can see your point. The original aim was to photograph the valley, but taking the time to change lenses to accomodate Sean in a portrait, would have inevitably risked him moving off and leaving just the car behind him to photograph. I don't do ratings either these days and for much the same reasons that you have outlined, it may just have escaped your notice but this image is "critique only" and doesn't require any.

Thanks again Gerry for your valuable imput.

Regards

Alf

IFTI

Many thanks for your visit and encouraging remarks, very much appreciated!

Kind Regards

Alf

KARALOS

You are very kind! My sincere thanks for your visit and comments.

Regards

Alf

TRISHA

Thank you so much for your comments, I will forward your words of adoration to Sean who I am sure will include you in his newly founded fan club : - )

Cheers Trisha Take Care

Alf

JIM

Many thanks for your very kind words and observations, much appreciated!

Sean is super intelligent and obviously not your everage sheep, for a start he is a loner,and  it's not because he has smelly feet either, no Sean is a loner because he is a sheep on a mission, a mission to cover this planet in grass, to propagate seeds and spread sheep droppings until the entire globe is green, I think he made a start in New Zealand

 : - )  Beautiful country !

Cheers Jim Take Care

Alf

HEJ JANNICA

It is always a pleasure to read your critiques, but particulary when they are so flattering, A humble thank you from me!

Sean did indeed save the day, but despite viscious rumours  to the contrary, (Mr Lancaster and Mr Mancil) )  I must assure you that I am a married man and that me and Sean are just good friends

: - )

Thank you Jannica, take good care and best wishes to you and your family

Warm Regards & Hej Da

Alf

PATSY

Many thanks, I'm really pleased you liked the story and the image, I will forward your details to the secretary of the Sean fan club, as a member you'll be entitled to a bit of Seans wool, a signed photograph of Seans own hoof print, and a sample of his new fragrance "Sean Parfume de sheep dip" because your worth it

: - )

Cheers Patsy Take Care

Alf

KEITH

It's all hearsay Keith Me and Sean only met the once and we didn't even exchange phone numbers : - )

Sincere thanks for your very encouraging comments Keith, much appreciated!

Regards

Alf

GRANT

You are very kind, I really appreciate  the visit and comments Thank you!

Regards

Alf

HERMANN

Many thanks for your visit and kind words. As a result of the attention Sean has received and the consequential list of bookings from the model agency Sean has increased his fee's to $35.00 per 20 minute session and regrets to inform everyone he is fully booked untill spring 2011, interested parties that can provide a dressing room, hairstylist and manicurist should contact Sean before this date to make suitable arrangements. : - )

Thank you Hermann

Regards

Alf

EL

Yeah I think your right it is "Shaun" of "Wallace & Gromit" fame, but it sounds the same if you close one eye : - ) He actually volunteered to pose, I think he' s got the X factor lol

Sincere thanks for your kind words.

Regards ]

Alf

TONY

Many thanks for your visit and observations, much appreciated!

You have to be careful about saying "meat" or Mint Sauce" in thier presence ....they are very sensitive creatures! : - )

Take Care mate

Alf

NEIL

Nothing like getting the locals involved eh Niel : - )

Sincere thanks for your thoughts and kind words Neil, very much appreciated!

Kind Regards

Alf

RUUD

Thank you so much for your visit and kind comments, much appreciated!

Regards

Alf

MICHAEL

Thanks for looking in and for your kind comments, I only know Seans name because he gave me a business card Honest!!  : - )

Take Care Mate

Alf

RICHARD

Sincere Thanks for your visit kind comments, and very appropriate quotation, I can't help get the feeling it was the sheep guiding the shepherd in this case though : - )

Kind Regards

Alf

TIBI

No wonder he looked a bit worried, I was thinking about lunch : - )

Thanks for looking in and for your kind comments

Regards

Alf

Alf,

Can I get that same bit of wool, autographed hoof print and perfume that Patsy's getting? :)

Dear Alf, compliments! This's really a country's poetry!...Ciaomau!

Very, very beautiful! Best regards, Ilkka

I like your model. Seems he has had some training. The valley is absolutely beautiful. Wonder what it would look in fall (autumn for some of us).

Overall like it a lot!!

Cheers

Arnav

TRISHA

How very remiss of me! Of course you shall have them, other membership benefits I forgot to mention include a 10% discount of all Sean products, including his latest Sheep dropping Mosaic of London Bridge and a chance to enter the "Find The Tic" contest : O )

Take Care Trisha

Alf

MAURIZIO

How very kind! Many thanks for your visit and comments.

Regards

Alf

ILKKA

Sincere Thanks, your kind words are much appreciated!

Regards

Alf

ARNAV

I am really pleased that you like the photo, and thank you for your visit and encouraging comments. It would be interesting to see the autumn colours from this perspective, but like any other time of year, the prevailing light is the all important factor. I would imagine that a winter scene would also look good, but access becomes more difficult to these area's once the snow and ice descend, but very worthy of consideration.

Thanks again Arnav

Regards

Alf