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A man’s wealth

This photo of a man with his herd in Lesotho, was shot down at our local photographic club for being too busy. I’d like to get your views on it.

9 Opinions have been expressed on “A man’s wealth”. What is your opinion?

  1. LeGrange commented:
    8 February 2010 at 3:43 pm

    Hallo Fred, it is a lovely landscape photo. But I do have a nit or 2. The power line running over the ridge distracts the eye and the shadow of the clouds over the valley split the photo in 2. The mans head gets lost in the shadow. The mountains in the back make a second focal point instead of the man and his stock. Hope it helps.

  2. Fred Beck commented:
    8 February 2010 at 4:15 pm

    Thankyou feedback. Agree, but from a practical side, if you are on a tight time schedule you must grab the moment and just try to take some record home.

  3. Marco commented:
    8 February 2010 at 4:25 pm

    Hi Fred,
    I can see why some people would feel it is too busy but for me, I like it. Colours are great and I actually like the shadows providing some interest to the background and giving depth to the shot. It would have been better if the background was blurred and the “real” subject in sharp focus but none the less I still like it. My only crit would be that the man needs a bit more exposure. He is getting lost in the shadows. Oh and you might try a tighter crop, cutting the right most cow and maybe less sky and foreground. Well done.

  4. Pikkie commented:
    8 February 2010 at 5:35 pm

    I agree w/Marco on this one – quite a nice shot, colours and feel of depthb which I regard as well done under the circumstances. I also add my voice to the face getting lost in the shade – at best it is always a problem, especially with a dark skin in the dark shadow – hardly anything you could do to that w/out over-exposing the pic, Fred.

  5. Arnold commented:
    8 February 2010 at 6:23 pm

    I also like the photo as it is. As Marco says, losing a bit both on the top and bottom might help to put the focus back on the ‘cowboy’ (can we call him that?).

  6. Otto commented:
    9 February 2010 at 3:52 am

    Hi Fred, and all.
    I just had to comment here! My first impression was a nostalgic feeling of “been there” followed closely by “wish I was there”. Then I read the comments and crits, and wondered why, although probably technically sound, I could not really agree. So I looked at the picture again, for quite a long while. That’s when I realised the picture is beautifully “natural”! The emotion that my first impression evoked in me makes this a picture not to tampered with, but to be enjoyed as is. Thank you Fred for posting.

  7. Fred Beck commented:
    9 February 2010 at 2:22 pm

    Otto, what a nice possitive comment.
    I try to take a picture home every night.So if I see something nice I stop and grab the moment, irrespective of the technicalities that may bring the picture down.
    Otherwise I would go home empty handed.

    • Pikkie commented:
      10 February 2010 at 6:50 pm

      Hi Fred – Thanx for this comment, I think we could all really learn a lot from your approach of “take a picture home every night” and I really hope it will make all our readers (including myself) feel terribly guilty if we go home “empty handed”