Cows in the Pasture

[svantland]

Here is a shot which I took this summer. I liked how the shadows were cast over the hills. I have been working on my composition. I kept the horizon line at the 1/3 line, and the cows are also at the 1/3 line. I burnt in the sky, although I was disappointed that there wasn't more texture in it. I also tried to saturate the colours in the hills as I found them bland in the original shot. I brightened up the cows and slightly saturated them to help them to pop in the picture. Sometimes when I look at this picture I find it bland, other times I enjoy the capture of the prairies as it is. Is there something in the composition which I should have done differently (the placement of the cows in the frame, more or less of the coulees, other ideas?). I also wonder if I should be more aggressive with post processing. I really try to adjust pictures without having them look as though they have been adjusted. I look forward to your comments and criticisms.

[tirediron]

I think you've done a good job on the post work here. The cows stand out well and the colours (at least on my crappy work monitor) appear realistic. Remember the "Rule" of thirds is a guideline at best. Approximations are often close enough. My only comment on composition would be that perhaps the LH most cow is just a little too close to the edge, but that's minor. Nice image.

Just my $00.02 worth - your mileage may vary.


~John

[tegan]

I see two other problems: one major. A shadow bisects the whole group of cows causing a loss in detail particularly of one of the cow's head. I would also like to see more detail in the shadow area of the hills.

Tegan

[svantland]

I have made the suggested alterations and I agree that it improves the image. I tried to get the cow on the left to move, but the grass was greener on his side of the fence. (I have been working on my dad humour )

[tegan]

That does look much better.

Tegan