The Cowgirl

[KimC]

This was taken in Delaware at the end of September on a cold, blustery, very cloudy day. I wish this woman lived closer so I could photograph her more ~ she's like a ballerina on a horse - so beautiful, soft and graceful.

[Mike Buckley]

Wonderful composition! You've also caught the look and feel of the ballerina very well, partly because you took such nice advantage of the very soft light.

The image immediately made me feel as if I had been caught offguard, partly because it looks so flat and partly because I don't remember an image of yours looking so flat. When I reviewed the histogram, it made me understand why the image looks so flat; the white and black points are more extreme than even I thought. One thing to consider about that is whether it matters to you that you develop a style that is reasonably consistent throughout your portfolio of images. If it doesn't matter and if you like this flat look for this particular image, go for it. Otherwise, consider perhaps making a look that is less flat that still retains the overall mood of grace and class.

I like the use of your vignette in the bottom and sides but not at the top. That's because the sky so rarely has that look in reality, whereas everything else in the image is so consistent with reality.

[NorthernFocus]

She does indeed look like a ballerina astride a horse. You picked a nice clean BG and by not including the horse's head there's no distraction from the woman. Purely as a viewer IMO the soft/flat look along with the heavy vignette is not appealing here. Maybe if it was a tighter portrait or wider and included landscape. With the misty look that you chose did you consider a reverse/white vignette?

[dem]

Very elegant, gracious shot. I like the way it is framed. Like others, I am not sure about the heavy vignetting. It felt like the blacks need to be stretched a little to emphasise the different textures (clothing, hat, leather saddle, horse back, horse hair). I had a quick play with the curve adjustments and got this:

[rpcrowe]

Absolutely lovely portrait of a beautiful young woman. However, IMO the cropping seems to be a tiny bit awkward. I would like to see either a bit tighter or looser crop...

[John 2]

I think that must be the equestrian equivalent of "A Little Black Number" and as with it's cocktail counterpart, not everyone will be able to carry it off. Elegance beautifully captured Kim. Like others, I'm not sure about the PP but having said that, a bland featureless totally white BG wouldn't look right either and so short of dropping in something more suitable, the vignette is not that bad a compromise.

[Donald]

Superb image, Kim. I think you've got it on-the-button in terms of composition and how you've finished the image. It's perfectly in proportion - the woman neither looks too small or too large in the frame and you have attention focused solely on her. A beauty.

[Shadowman]

Nicely captured.

[KimC]

Thank you John

Nicely captured.

[KimC]

Thank you Donald. I actually did load the incorrect image. After living with it a few days, I felt the vignette was too much. Interested in your comments on the reposted version.

Superb image, Kim. I think you've got it on-the-button in terms of composition and how you've finished the image. It's perfectly in proportion - the woman neither looks too small or too large in the frame and you have attention focused solely on her. A beauty.

[KimC]

Thank you for your comment John. See my comment to Donald about the vignette.

I think that must be the equestrian equivalent of "A Little Black Number" and as with it's cocktail counterpart, not everyone will be able to carry it off. Elegance beautifully captured Kim. Like others, I'm not sure about the PP but having said that, a bland featureless totally white BG wouldn't look right either and so short of dropping in something more suitable, the vignette is not that bad a compromise.

[KimC]

Hi Richard. Thanks for the comment. I actually cropped this as I wanted while shooting (something I have been trying to get better doing) - so no opportunity to loosen it up. I did play with tighter though, and surprisingly, I like it. I'll post that version as well.

Absolutely lovely portrait of a beautiful young woman. However, IMO the cropping seems to be a tiny bit awkward. I would like to see either a bit tighter or looser crop...

[KimC]

Thanks Dem. I agree about the vignetting, see my comment to Donald. I played with the image some more and have reposted it.

Very elegant, gracious shot. I like the way it is framed. Like others, I am not sure about the heavy vignetting. It felt like the blacks need to be stretched a little to emphasise the different textures (clothing, hat, leather saddle, horse back, horse hair). I had a quick play with the curve adjustments and got this:

[KimC]

Thanks for commenting Dan. Yes, I agree about the vignette - see my comment to Donald. Based on comments, I did rework the image. IMO a white vignette doesn't work. As mentioned to Richard, I did play with a tighter crop - thanks to the two of you challenging my original thoughts, and I do like it. No opportunity to expand the crop as I shot it as cropped. See reposted versions.

She does indeed look like a ballerina astride a horse. You picked a nice clean BG and by not including the horse's head there's no distraction from the woman. Purely as a viewer IMO the soft/flat look along with the heavy vignette is not appealing here. Maybe if it was a tighter portrait or wider and included landscape. With the misty look that you chose did you consider a reverse/white vignette?

[KimC]

Thanks for sharing such detailed thought Mike. Your comments as well as the other comments made me rethink the PP. The other day I made some business cards - I could pick 5 images. This was one image I picked (less vignette version) and for some reason it was making me uncomfortable, even thou I like it. It wasn't until I read your comments that I understood why. It's not the style I am migrating towards (which is kind of bold). So thanks. As a result of everyone's comments, I did redo the image from scratch and posted below. I did do a less flat version, but I prefer the soft/flat look for this image - hopefully it's a little less flat for you?

I also agree about the vignette being to heavy - see my comment to Donald.

[KimC]

Reworked versions:




Cropped Version

[Mike Buckley]

Both revised versions in my mind continue to display the grace and class of the original but are now consistent with the style that is typical of your images. The second one might work better on your business card for the simple reason that its increased magnification might be easier to enjoy when displayed at such a small size.

[rpcrowe]

Have you thought of selecting the white background and adding just a bit of tint or color?

Besides beauty, this lady and your image exudes class! Even to the way her pinkie finger is extended on the reins...

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Kim,

I'm afraid I don't understand your desire for the 'flat' versions, I much prefer Dem's curves treatment, even over your reworked images.

In fact I almost wonder whether your monitor settings are misguiding you - is it profiled?
If so, could the brightness have got accidentally changed since last time?

Only trying to help, Dave

[NorthernFocus]

Much improved IMO, Kim. I like the cropped version even more. The tighter crop doesn't lose anything important in the image and shows more detail. Adjusting her position slightly left so that she is looking into the frame is an improvement also. Now it's a killer image like we're accustomed to seeing from you. Nice job.