Ride The Horsey, Go To Town!
© Susan M. Reynolds
PRO Website: simplydivinephotography.com
Uploaded: February 07, 2013
Aperture f/4.0, SS 1/90, Lens 18-50mm f/2.8, Focal Length: 34mm, ISO 400, Location: home, Time- 2:04 p.m. 2/3/13
Exif: F Number: 4, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 1/90 seconds, Flash: did not fire., ISO: 400, White balance: Manual white balance, FocalLength: 34.00 mm, Model: NIKON D200
Susan M. Reynolds February 07, 2013
KD-bug came home from Sunday School last Sunday and for the first time was able to climb up on the rocking horse we got her for Christmas all by herself...so proud of herself and rocking for all she was worth while giggling out loud. To me it tells the story of growing up and learning to do things on her own...and finding out how much fun learning new things can be...do you think it tells such a story or do I need one that explains itself?Susan M. Reynolds February 07, 2013
Well, I experimented by using the lasso tool and then moving it to a completely different BG. I tried cloning the bottom of the rockers to complete the front that had been cut off in the original photo, then added a soft focus filter to cover the most glaring mistakes but erased it off of her face.Susan M. Reynolds February 07, 2013
OOOOPS...so excited about it that I forgot to load the edited version. #10557190Susan M. Reynolds February 07, 2013
OOOOPS...so excited about it that I forgot to load the edited version. #10557192Susan M. Reynolds February 07, 2013
OOOOPS...so excited about it that I forgot to load the edited version. #10557193Susan M. Reynolds February 07, 2013
Here are a few other filters I tried. Which do you phellos like best that I should frame for her parents for Valentine's Day #10557194Susan M. Reynolds February 07, 2013
Just realized I shaped the front of the rockers the opposite of the back ones but I don't think most people will notice? #10557198Kristin Duff February 07, 2013
Good job on the edits...her folks are going to be thrilled! #10557413Dale Hardin February 07, 2013
What a delightful image Susan. And you did a good job of getting rid of the background, even if you did put too many hours into it.With Photoshop Elements or Topaz ReMask, this could be done in less than ten minutes. I like your first background the best. One thing you might keep in mind when doing this, is to create a shadow and a horizon line so that it looks more realistic.
Super job. Love it. #10557734
Debbie E. Payne February 07, 2013
I think your masking tools are great, Susan. It is a good shot without the masks but so much better with the plain/mottled backgrounds. She is so very photogenic. I'll bet you are just having a ball with her. #10558436Jeff E Jensen February 07, 2013
Looks great, Susan! She's a cutie! #10558634Stephen Shoff February 07, 2013
Nice work, Susan. I didn't notice anything out of place on the rockers. #10558709Susan M. Reynolds February 08, 2013
Thank you for your comments :)Dale Hardin February 08, 2013
Thats much better Susan, but I was thinking more along the lines of the one I'm posting here. The shadows would follow the shadow lines that already exist on the rocker and about the same intensity.I didn't try to get exact, just wanted to show the concept. Since you had the girl separated, it would have been easier to put the shadow down and the replace the girl on top, but it appears you may have applied the shadow to the completed image, which is harder to do.
And on the horizon line, just a line doesn't work as well as changing the tone of the floor in relationship to the wall. Either lighter or darker, doesn't matter. Just whatever look you want. #10559193
Rita K. Connell February 08, 2013
I really like your last post with the horizon line, now she doesn't look like she is floating. I like it as is, but if you can get the shadows in it, that will make it even better. I just love her expersation on her face...you can tell she is having so much fun. I love the big bow in her head. (I could show you a few from my grandaughters at that age....!) your daughter will be be so happy with this one. #10559256Debbra Bailey February 08, 2013
Wow - you have put a ton of work into this! My suggestion was going to be a horizon and shadows, so I think you are on your way! Great work getting rid of the background! Very cute shot too! A wonderful memory pic :) #10559573Beth Spencer February 08, 2013
You have done lots of work and your edits show it. I agree with the horizon and shadows. She is gorgeous ! I think her parents will be more than thrilled. Aren't they fun? #10559896Michael Kelly February 08, 2013
Great edit work and a wonderful save for this shot. The original framing and BG spoiled this wonderful shot but your hard work made it into a delightful candid that I am sure will be treasured. #10559934Peter W. Marks February 11, 2013
Hi Susan. I shall go out on a limb once more and say that I see things so differently than many of our friends on Phellos. A few months back I would often relate a story line which my imagination created from other folks images. But, with this image I don't need to do this as the story is right there in front of us and for the life of me I cannot understand why anyone would want to remove the very pieces of minutae that help to create place and atmosphere for KD's lovely laugh and obvious delight. You ask whether it tells a story and absolutely it does Susan. But, once you remove the original background you are left with a typical (and boring!) "Sears Photo Studio" image with its roll of pink background paper. The only story left is that she was dragged along to a commercial studio where too much was paid for a package of an 8x10 and a dozen wallet size snapshots. I joke but I hope you can follow my reasoning. Fortunately our digital images can be preserved in many forms but whilst I might not be still around to say 'told you so' I would bet that in 15 yrs time family and friends will be way more interested in the original image and the circumstances of KD being raised with your help as your kids share your home.Anthony L. Mancuso February 12, 2013
Super cute image Susan and great job with the edits...I do prefer Dales version with the shadow and horizon line because without them I think the girl and horsie seem suspended in space..
Good point Uncle Pete....I think the original would be fitting for the family photo album whilst the edited version would look fabulous on the wall.. #10565850
Susan M. Reynolds February 14, 2013
Thank you all so much for your input and help. Yes, the original will be kept for the family album, but the edited one was the surprise for her parents for Valentine's Day - and they just LOVED it - My daughter (and I) always complain about that awful looking safety-gate being in the BG of most of the photos of KD, but now that KD is bigger and can walk, no RUN really well we can do a lot more outdoor shots which are my favorite....I followed your advice, Dale, and readjusted my horizon and shadow under the horse, .but my stupid mistake was I made all of the edits on the re-sized 2mb copy...DANG IT! should have been done on the original sized my bad boo-boo, but when time permits I will be trying to learn to do it as Dale said in 10 minutes by using layers and masks....only my mask may wind up being a scary halloween type mask...hee-hee - but though it still doesn't look as good as your version, it's better than her floating around on the Sears Pink Paper in the studio looking shot! (yes, I do agree about that part of it Uncle Peter!, but I just didn't want the safety gate framed in an 8x10 on the wall! ;o).. #10568579Sign up for an interactive online photography course to get critiques on your photos.
Discussions by Category: You can view photo discussions on various themes in the Community > Photo Discussions section of the site.
BetterPhoto Websites: If you see an orange website link directly under the photographer's name, it's totally okay. It's not spam. The reason: BetterPhoto is the one that offers these personal photography websites. We are supporting our clients with those links.
Unavailable EXIF: If there is no other information but 'Unavailable' in the EXIF (meaning no EXIF data exists with the photo), the 'Unavailable' blurb is not displayed. If there is any info, it shows. Many photos have the EXIF stripped out when people modify the image and resave it, before uploading.
The following truth is one of the core philosophies of BetterPhoto:
I hear, I forget.
I see, I remember.
I do, I understand.
You learn by doing. Take your next online photography class.
Copyright for this photo belongs solely to Susan M. Reynolds.
Images may not be copied, downloaded, or used in any way without the expressed, written permission of the photographer.
Contact photographer via gallery
Log in to follow or message this photographer or report this photo.
I already have an account!