Cafesjian's Carousel

[nicuRNmama]

This is a picture of one of the horses on Cafesjian's Carousel at Como Park in St. Paul, MN. What do you think about the composition and color intensity.

Nikon D5000
Nikkor 18-55mm Zoom
ISO 125
55mm
f/6.3
1/25
taken 7/16/11

[monstermum]

I think I would have blurred the background more so the horse detail would stand out.
I really like the composition.
:<)

[nicuRNmama]

Thanks for the suggestion. I went back in photoshop and tried to add more blur to the background, but I can't figure out how to make it more out of focus - I used the more blur filter; is there a different one you think would work?

[Skoropada]

Originally Posted by nicuRNmama

Thanks for the suggestion. I went back in photoshop and tried to add more blur to the background, but I can't figure out how to make it more out of focus - I used the more blur filter; is there a different one you think would work?

I think that the suggestion aimed at shooting the pictures with a wider aperture.

[nicuRNmama]

Oh - I misunderstood. Thank you for clarifying

[monstermum]

Originally Posted by Skoropada

I think that the suggestion aimed at shooting the pictures with a wider aperture.

Sorry! I should have said that in the first place! Are you able to go out and try the shot again?

[nicuRNmama]

This place is only about 30 minutes from my house and I take my daughter there often, so it will be no problem to try again with a wider aperture. I jumped to post-processing right away from your first comment because that's how I blurred the background in the first place - SOOC the background was completely in focus and very distracting. Thank you so much for taking the time to look and comment

[NathanFranke]

Personally, I think the image is kind of flat. It's a little bit bright for my tastes, maybe a 1/2 stop - 1 stop overexposed? I like the catchlights in the eye, and I like that you can see all the scratches and dings in the horse.

Was it an overcast day when you shot? Or is it indoors? The even lighting doesn't make anything "pop."

What story are you trying to tell? What should I be feeling?

[nicuRNmama]

The carousel is inside a kind of open-air building - do you think a flash would have helped? Thanks for the comments!