Visions of Home (Click for larger view)

One of the wild ponies of Landwynne Island, I came across him standing

there apparently studying the horizon, intently gazing into the distance like

he was waiting for a ship to appear. Your thoughts and comments are

always appreciated. Thank You.

I like your treatment of the scene. He does look very thoughtful and the angle of the shot adds to that perception.

Old painting.  Impressive.  Love it.  Best Regards,

Hi Alf,

An image like being in a " dream state ".

A marvelous presentation my friend.

Best Regards, Mike

Beautiful Alf! This one really resonates with me; I feel like I'm a kindred spirit with this horse. The tones and color, the way the horse looks as if he is indeed waiting for something or someone, or maybe his future, speaks to me and how I have been feeling. I am so tired of waiting for all the busy projects to be done so I can just take a deep breath and live my dreams. Very powerful image; beautifully done! Thank you for sharing. :)

This seems more a magical creature returning from a long adventure than a simple domestic horse. Maybe this is how horses see themselves when they dream of faraway places. You have a talent for this sort of thing. Your pictures often seem to have a mystical or allegorical quality that I enjoy very much. It appeals to the wide-eyed boy that still lives in me.

Hi Alf, The image evokes a feeling of forlorn or home sickness, that is what I get from it. I like the PP you've done it adds to my initial reaction to viewing this photo. Another superb work my friend, well done.

Warm Regards,

Holger 

Wow Alf, this is a real beauty! The concept has immediate impact, and your extraordinary detail work...textures, hues, framing keep us glued to it. This is a deeply moving piece. Nice!

Tim

Hi Alf,

  Beautiful work of art that could pass for a painting.  Excellent work!! Take care, Patsy

Compliments my dear friend, a full of nostalgia image!

Many Thanks for your interest and positive feedback.

 

He did me the impression that he was deep in thought too. Maybe just daydreaming.

 

Kind Regards 

 

Alf 

 

WANGHAN

 

Its very gratifying to read that you like this one. There is a colour version too that I might post just as a comparison.

 

Many Thanks & Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

MIKE 

 

Many Thanks for your thoughts and positive feedback. 

You describe it very well, that is just how he seemed to be,.

 

All the best to you my friend! 

 

 

Alf 

 

 

TRISHA 

 

Its really good to read that you kind of connect with this one. 

There is something about his sorrowful gaze and general demeanour that tells of a longing for home or for someone to come home.

I can entirely empathise with you too, particularly the "live my dreams" part. 

 

Sincere Thanks & Warm Regards

 

Alf 

 

JACK 

 

You are blessed in so many ways, with a magical eye for a photograph where no other person could see one, and an ability to elucidate about an image so eloquently and descriptively. But this latest revelation that you retain the wide eyed boy inside gives an me an insight to why you are able do so.

I am very pleased you enjoyed this one! 

 

Sincere Thanks 

 

Alf 

 

HOLGER 

 

Home sickness.........yes that is indeed the kind of emotion that I also perceived from the horse.  

The PP was carried out using Silver Efex Pro-2

 

Sincere Thanks & Warm Regards 

 

Alf 

 

TIM 

 

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

These were some of the first hand held shots and that I carried out with the D800 and I was also impressed with the detail.

There is a colour version that I will post at some point too, just as a comparison.

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

PATSY 

 

Thank you so much! 

 

The processing was relatively simple, a few tones added and some vignetting but it seems quite effective.

 

Kind Regards 

 

Alf 

 

MAURIZIO

 

Many Thanks my friend! 

 

I am so pleased that the nostalgic element appealed to you! 

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

A beautiful result with impressive lighting, Alf!

 

I like the melancholy mood of the shot. The details of the coat are nice as is the neat toning effect that you can do nowadays without having to smell the chemicals.

Best Regards, Tibi

Unusual and stunning fine art work!

many regards! Hanan

I like your post-processing, it fits the subject.

 

Ben

I am always looking with interest your work and this one as many others photos you did is so good,large view shows incredible details this subject can have,also tone color chosen creates a special mood for viewer,compliments Alf.

sincerely radu

...... although you may never talk to me again BUT.................

You know I love your work, and you also know that I will speak up if I have a different point of view (this is not very often-smiles).

I had to tilt my monitor a little, and for me, the use of the lens at its widest has given the subject a slightly elongated look........ Now, both just could be my old age creeping in more quickly than I would like, but, having said that....... the definition throughout is remarkable, considering the camera was handheld. I also enjoy the post-processing effect you have created, more adequately praised by the preceding posters.

So overall, this is a very pleasing image and I hope my concerns are age-related - mine that is.

Best regards to you

 

Beautifully back-lit shot Alf

Many Thanks for your interest and kind words! 

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf

 

TIBI 

 

I think the word "melancholy" describes the mood very well.  

The tones are courtesy of Nik Silver Efex Pro 2, and the process does accentuate the details somewhat, of course they have to be there in the first place though : - )

 

Sincere Thanks & Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

HANAN 

 

Many Thanks, its not often that anything can be described as unusual, as most things seem to have been done before. I am glad you find this one different.

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

BEN 

 

Many Thanks, it isn't an arduous process either it can be achieved relatively quickly. I use Nik silver efex as a bolt on in Adobe lightroom.

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

RADU 

 

Sincere thanks for your observations and positive feedback.

I like to try different tones and effects and a lot of the time I just send the results straight to the recycle bin, on this occasion though I quite liked the mood. 

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf

 

GRAYHAM 

 

I am honestly not sure if its the lens giving a bit of distortion, or just the angle that the horse is standing , maybe a combination of both, but I do take your point there is an element of proportion that doesn't seem quite right.

I am saying nothing about your old age creeping up as mine seems to be racing rather than creeping.

And of course I'll talk to you again..........eventually : - ) 

Have a good weekend my friend! 

 

Alf 

 

PAT 

 

Many thanks for your interest and kind words, much appreciated! 

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All of the positive comments are well deserved.  This is a bit different, but very beautiful end result.  As for the proportion not being 'quite right'......I have something to throw out.  Remember this is coming from someone who has a heightened sense of measurement (maybe it's the musician in me, I don't know).  But the horizon seems a bit slanted to me.  It goes down on the right.  When I straightened it, I was afraid it would make the horse appear to be leaning, but it didn't.  To my eye it slightly helped the proportion.  At any rate, this takes nothing away from the expert processing and mood you've created in this image. 

Good Call, yes I agree straightening the horizon does make a slight difference. I am usually very particular almost to the point of being fanatical about horizons being straight, but this one escaped me! 

Sincere Thanks for your positive feedback and observations.

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

great atmosphere and presence of this horse Alf...the lighting adds a lot of impact to the image...regards....David

Very impressive composition, i love the POV and focussing point. Great post processing. Looks like it was a very windy day. Excellent mastery work Alf!

Best Regards

Patrick

very sensitive...immersed in deep thoughts...hope that someday he will make it home...finally.  Excellent Alf, with one more of your story telling shots!  Cheers!

Rich and great detail. Love the tones! Sincere compliments Regards from Cyprus.