Anne Sandler
July 2025 - Wild horses--colt nursing
About the Image(s)
We were visiting our son and family in Reno. This was a day trip to Genoa through the Washoe Valley. We stopped so I could photograph this mare and her colt. I think it was newly born because it was lying in the grass next to its standing mom. The colt got up and started nursing. I also have photos of the duo walking to meet the stallion, and have pictures of the three of them. I thought the story value in this one was the best. As you can see, the sun was really bright. The mare was light tan with white spots, one of which was on her rear. Is there a way to fix the blown out spot? Hopefully in Lightroom.
Camera: Fuji XT3
Lens: Tamron 18-300mm at 300mm
Shutter: 1/125 sec
F/9.0
ISO 125
6 comments posted
Anne,
Crop in. See a possibility attached. Posted: 07/06/2025 21:11:14
Crop in. See a possibility attached. Posted: 07/06/2025 21:11:14
I like the crop, but I did want to show more of where the horses were. How's this one? A compromise? I like it better than my original. Posted: 07/06/2025 21:31:15
Yes, better but the background is too bright. Posted: 07/06/2025 22:24:40
Erin Lamb
I agree with Dean about the background but understand your wanting to keep some of the location. In my mind, the story issweet moment with mare and colt and it doesn't matter where they were. The background is a distracting and unnecessary.
I wonder if you can open the shadows a little or use a brush to lighten the mare's face. It's a sweet capture, Anne! Posted: 07/08/2025 13:42:19
I wonder if you can open the shadows a little or use a brush to lighten the mare's face. It's a sweet capture, Anne! Posted: 07/08/2025 13:42:19
Diana Edelman
Ann,
In both of your images, the eye is drawn away from the colt and mother to the strip of light along the top. So you need to decide what the subject is and simplify. I can understand that you like the spit of land being reflected in the water, but it is not a landscape shot really. The horses seem to be the subject. Dean has vignetted his crop, which helps with the bright light as well. You did not tell us what you might have done in editing. Playing with sliders and the tone curve could make the horses stand out more. Lightening the mare's face with a mask is a good possibility, and using a mask brush to tone down her highlighted back, if the pixels can be recovered, should be tried. Otherwise, you would need to try a healing bruch or stamp brush. If all else fails, you might try AI to replace that area, depending on whether you plan to enter it in competition or not. You have caught a tender, appealing moment. Posted: 07/14/2025 22:49:43
In both of your images, the eye is drawn away from the colt and mother to the strip of light along the top. So you need to decide what the subject is and simplify. I can understand that you like the spit of land being reflected in the water, but it is not a landscape shot really. The horses seem to be the subject. Dean has vignetted his crop, which helps with the bright light as well. You did not tell us what you might have done in editing. Playing with sliders and the tone curve could make the horses stand out more. Lightening the mare's face with a mask is a good possibility, and using a mask brush to tone down her highlighted back, if the pixels can be recovered, should be tried. Otherwise, you would need to try a healing bruch or stamp brush. If all else fails, you might try AI to replace that area, depending on whether you plan to enter it in competition or not. You have caught a tender, appealing moment. Posted: 07/14/2025 22:49:43
Anne, you caught a moment I wish I could have captured. I look for horses while traveling, and have never seen a colt nursing. I think Dean's crop is the more powerful one, but I understand you wanting to leave the top in. In my view, the only way you can do that is to darken it, so that it is not so white. I like your second crop much better with leaving the right greenery in, and then address the top white. Really gorgeous capture. Posted: 07/16/2025 23:44:18