magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

The subject photo was taken at the New Forest Show a few years ago. The immaculate turn-out had two rosettes attached before it left the arena, which was no surprise. The whole thing was most impressive, lady included!
I've used a simple painted background and added three texture layers plus an 'edges' layer. With the usual adjustments, the whole lot comes to just 17 layers. An enjoyable change from my usual compositing style. Please feel free to critique, I do appreciate the help.

(Download)

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Very nice.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

The perspective is intriguing, with the wheels leaning inward at the bottom and the horse looking a little odd in its gait. The carriage and woman are beautiful, the whip neatly balances the position of the horse and woman. The background is light, airy and pleasing. I find this work quite mesmerizing, Dave!

Dave Chinn

Very nice Dave. Love the processing and overall feel of the image.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

A beautiful composition, David!

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Many thanks!

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

The lean of the wheels is natural to independent suspension, which this carriage does not quite have but nevertheless, the wheel will straighten as the leaf-spring compresses. The horses gait looks ‘natural’ to the arena environment and to me is a ‘trot’ - but we need one of our horsey folk to explain it in proper terms. I suppose it’s ‘dressage’ for traps? It does look splendid whizzing around at a fair pace. I’m pleased you like the background Linda, your description is exactly what I was aiming at. Many thanks.

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

Beautifully done Dave. I like everything about it but the edge layer. I don't understand what you mean by "texture layers". Could you post one so I can see?

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Thanks Dave, glad you like it.

Horseart Loc: Alabama

Anyone who knows horses will most likely say it's perfect. The wheels are supposed to be like that. It sometimes happens just before they go into the curve at the rail. The whip is moved from side to side to direct the horse into a curve (to the right in this case) causing him to slightly turn his head in that direction.
A little hard to tell because his back feet are so close together but I'd say he may be a three gaited Saddlebred. The whole thing is simply gorgeous!!!

veralisa296 Loc: New Jersey

Lovely! Only perhaps a less defined background, perhaps another hue to seperate the top from the bottom. Nice!

SoHillGuy Loc: Washington

Most seem to agree with the background or textured area except for how they appear to me, the round circles (white balls) really draw my attention and I am wondering what they are.
I do like the main subjects and feel you did very well in presenting them.

cbtsam Loc: Monkton, MD

Pretty spectacular. I find the hard edges layer somewhat in conflict with the softness of the woman, the horse, and all the rest of it. What would you think of curved corners there, or an oval?

lnl Loc: SWFL

I like the overall airiness of the background along with the sharp subject. I am less fond of the sharp edges. The background lightness and airiness seem to ask for softer edges. That said, you’re much more the expert here than I am.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

My only negative is that the dark frame confines, perhaps vignetting would be a smoother transition. Then again I am an anti-matt, anti-frame guy. I like the photo all looks so natural and peaceful.

When we look at photos we have first an impression/emotional-response and then we ponder some of the details that puzzle us. Linda said, "The perspective is intriguing, with the wheels leaning inward at the bottom." She would have been more technically correct to say "The perspective is intriguing, with the wheels having a positive Camber the buggy is less stable in turning... or perhaps knowing it was a positive caster she did not want to get too technical. Or perhaps she knew that there was a reason the designers used positive caster.

Alas, while an excellent creative photographer, she and others may perhaps be amiss in the technicalities of wheel alignment... Caster, Camber, and Toe. Here is a quick simple study of the fundamentals.
https://www.powerflexusa.com/alignment-101

Joking aside, this photo and my remembering alignment, as Linda suggested, the positive caster is intriguing. The knowledge seeker in me sought an answer and positive camber has a correct buggy design reason.
Thank you, Linda, now I know.
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskEngineers/comments/11ec03k/why_positive_camber_in_horsedrawn_carriages/?rdt=37216