Donna Sturla
October 2026 - Flowing with the Breeze
Original
Original 2
About the Image(s)
Hi there, this is a composite -- I'd like to hear how you might improve on this if you were the photographer.
Both images were taken 10 years apart but both with Nikon camera and Tamron 18-70 mm lens.
The background was taken at sunset down in Woodbridge last year using ICM - Intentional Camera Movement - at F 80, 1.3 seconds, F 5.6, 98 mm.
The Horse was taken at F 5.6, ISO 400, 1/2500 sec.
I selected the horse and moved onto the background, used Select and Mask in Photoshop. I Picked up some color from the background to put a sunset-like tone on the horse, and also used adjustment layers to darken the horse a bit. I used a light brush to add some shadowing beneath the horse and then added some splashes of water (a brush I have) in different colors. BTW I was hoping this looked like the horse running through water -- but there's no water in this picture.
14 comments posted
Hi Donna - I think it's good practice with all the possibilities in post-processing. The colors are very pleasing, and I really like the background. I have to try more of this intentional movement in camera. The lighting is going to be the issue here, because it has a sunset background, and the lighting on the horse is so harsh, coming from a different direction. Perhaps more of a silohuette of the horse, and a nice glow around it because the horse in reality would be backlit.
I definitely feel the movement between the horse and the background, so that was accomplished. Perhaps instead of water, the horse would be kicking up dirt, but like I said, it all was a good exercise for working in Photoshop. All things I need to learn! You definitely seem like you are having fun with it! Posted: 10/05/2026 11:49:12
I definitely feel the movement between the horse and the background, so that was accomplished. Perhaps instead of water, the horse would be kicking up dirt, but like I said, it all was a good exercise for working in Photoshop. All things I need to learn! You definitely seem like you are having fun with it! Posted: 10/05/2026 11:49:12
Actually, the sun was coming from the right, so the horse wouldn't be backlit. Perhaps I should work on darkening the horse a bit. What do you think? Posted: 10/06/2026 00:40:28
Understood, but in relationship to the lighting in your composite, the sun is theoretically behind the horse, but the horse is lit from the front, the side that is showing. I definitely think you should try to darken the horse and reduce those highlights, or try to warm the highlights so they have a more golden tone to them, if possible. Posted: 10/06/2026 00:54:18
Hi Donna, this image is very pleasing on the eye!
The colours of the background photo is a perfect match for the colours of the horse, getting that colour palette right is so important and you have managed to do exactly that!
I like the symbolic play of the horse running in the water with water splashes, it very creative!
The biggest challenge for my brain is the lighting on the horse that is coming from the front with the sunset over the sea, I might consider taking the highlights/ whites down on the horse even more, soften the sharpness (tiny bit) of the back half of the horse so it melts in. And maybe deepen the shadow a tiny bit and move it as though the light is coming from the back.
But very creative and well seen to put it together
Posted: 10/05/2026 12:16:11
The colours of the background photo is a perfect match for the colours of the horse, getting that colour palette right is so important and you have managed to do exactly that!
I like the symbolic play of the horse running in the water with water splashes, it very creative!
The biggest challenge for my brain is the lighting on the horse that is coming from the front with the sunset over the sea, I might consider taking the highlights/ whites down on the horse even more, soften the sharpness (tiny bit) of the back half of the horse so it melts in. And maybe deepen the shadow a tiny bit and move it as though the light is coming from the back.
But very creative and well seen to put it together
Posted: 10/05/2026 12:16:11
Thank you, I like your ideas, I think that's something I will work on !! I put this together a few days ago and sometimes I need to just let it sit (unwatched) for a few days, then go back to it. I appreciate your suggestions ! Posted: 10/06/2026 00:41:47
I like working on a photo :) and then going back to it a day or two later as I then look differently to it Posted: 10/08/2026 10:56:28
OK, I'm working on it !! Will repost an edit in a day or so.
How do I soften the sharpness on the horse's hindquarters?
Any suggestions appreciated, I don't know how to do that ! Posted: 10/06/2026 01:35:08
How do I soften the sharpness on the horse's hindquarters?
Any suggestions appreciated, I don't know how to do that ! Posted: 10/06/2026 01:35:08
Donna, One way would be to select the horse in Lightroom and then do a linear gradient dropping clarity, contrast and dehaze from the rump of the horse to half way to the head. The same can be done in Camera Raw Posted: 10/08/2026 11:05:44
OK, I googled how to do the Radial Gradient and did what I could. Also lightened the shadows at the legs where Bob thought they might look better.
Does this look better? Posted: 10/10/2026 04:00:51
Does this look better? Posted: 10/10/2026 04:00:51
Hi Donna, sorry "my" brain couldn't follow the edit paths above. But I fail to see something obvious to me. The broken or miss aligned bottom half of the back right leg. Just me as I stare at it again the left hoof merges with the right leg which appears shorted. You've attempted to do a composite for a beautiful moving horse.
Trying to put a positive spin on it but I can't get beyond the legs. Perhaps you need to remove the dark shadows and make legs more consistent. Posted: 10/07/2026 01:24:53
Trying to put a positive spin on it but I can't get beyond the legs. Perhaps you need to remove the dark shadows and make legs more consistent. Posted: 10/07/2026 01:24:53
Yes those are Shadows on the legs. I will try to lighten them. I suppose the picture wasn't a good idea. Thank you Posted: 10/07/2026 01:27:42
Donna, I didn't meant to indicate that it was a bad idea. I get the most satisfaction by taking an image that is not presented well in the eyes of my buddies and taking multiple suggestions to fix those issues. Your horse reminds me of one of the one I just shared. Posted: 10/08/2026 19:51:26
Donna, I didn't meant to indicate that it was a bad idea. I get the most satisfaction by taking an image that is not presented well in the eyes of my buddies and taking multiple suggestions to fix those issues. Your horse reminds me of one of the one I just shared. Posted: 10/08/2026 19:52:54
Hi Donna, sorry "my" brain couldn't follow the edit paths above. But I fail to see something obvious to me. The broken or miss aligned bottom half of the back right leg. Just me as I stare at it again the left hoof merges with the right leg which appears shorted. You've attempted to do a composite for a beautiful moving horse.
Trying to put a positive spin on it but I can't get beyond the legs. Perhaps you need to remove the dark shadows and make legs more consistent. Posted: 10/07/2026 01:24:53
Trying to put a positive spin on it but I can't get beyond the legs. Perhaps you need to remove the dark shadows and make legs more consistent. Posted: 10/07/2026 01:24:53