Edit or not to Edit? I took this picture Saturday at a Bull Riding contest on the beach here in our small town of Granbury Tx. The picture looked so busy I decided to take out some of...

Jim-Pops Loc: Granbury, Texas

I took this picture Saturday at a Bull Riding contest on the beach here in our small town of Granbury Tx. The picture looked so busy I decided to take out some of the background. Is it an improvement?

If you look at the download and blow it up you will see the horn went through the arm hole of his vest. The bull ended up tossing him to the ground and then stepped on him. He got up and looked fine but I bet he is hurting today.

(Download)

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

The problem is not the background, rather, the fence in the foreground.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

I would say the background adds context and it's what we expect to see.

Dziadzi Loc: Wilkes-Barre, PA

I like the crop better.

trc Loc: Logan, OH

Jim-Pops wrote:

I took this picture Saturday at a Bull Riding contest on the beach here in our small town of Granbury Tx. The picture looked so busy I decided to take out some of the background. Is it an improvement?

If you look at the download and blow it up you will see the horn went through the arm hole of his vest. The bull ended up tossing him to the ground and then stepped on him. He got up and looked fine but I bet he is hurting today.

Jim,

The background you added for replacement looks like 'just that;' and really doesn't seem to fit or 'gel' with the real image you started out with, making it look like a somewhat 'fake' piece of the puzzle - Hmmmm?

Best Regards,
Tom

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Whack off the left side at the small post so that the bull's nose is at the 1/3 mark. we do not need that distraction at the left. Clone in the fence to be solid. The photo is a good one, and if I were there I would be thankful for the foreground fence!! Yikes.

If the foreground fence is too in-your-face, then use Topaz Clarity to tone it down and then mask to keep other reds in the photo.

Get rid of that photographer in the background... photographers are peskey guys, huh. Play with the detail and contrast to give that bull more power... the texture is there, not burned out so bring it out.

Yes, it is indeed a good capture. your 1/1000 s was a good speed choice.

Revet Loc: Fairview Park, Ohio

I like the background and agree that the fence in front is more distracting than the background. I also think the photo needs more contrast in PP. It looks flat. Nice capture though!!!!

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

I prefer the first, reality.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

I agree with R.G. We need the context.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I like the original. That photo shows location, action, and excitement. The second seems too isolated and unrealistic.
--Bob

Jim-Pops wrote:

I took this picture Saturday at a Bull Riding contest on the beach here in our small town of Granbury Tx. The picture looked so busy I decided to take out some of the background. Is it an improvement?

If you look at the download and blow it up you will see the horn went through the arm hole of his vest. The bull ended up tossing him to the ground and then stepped on him. He got up and looked fine but I bet he is hurting today.

Day.Old.Pizza Loc: Maple Grove, MN

Jim-Pops wrote:

I took this picture Saturday at a Bull Riding contest on the beach here in our small town of Granbury Tx. The picture looked so busy I decided to take out some of the background. Is it an improvement?

If you look at the download and blow it up you will see the horn went through the arm hole of his vest. The bull ended up tossing him to the ground and then stepped on him. He got up and looked fine but I bet he is hurting today.

I have to agree with CHG CANON that the near railing is the distraction. If it were not there I would feel like I was right in the action

Jim-Pops Loc: Granbury, Texas

I appreciate everyone comments. Was interesting when dpullman brought up the photographer in the background. There was also one in the foreground that I made sure I cropped out. I was on the top tier of the bleachers to take the pictures and never could get rid of the foreground rail with just positioning. I now know I will not do any more background removal from all the comments.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Jim, with scenes like this one, the background, side ground, and the "stuff" in front of the subject are all part of the environment of the action. Removing any of it takes away from the authenticity of the scene. The only way to remove the railings is to get right up to them and shoot between them. That's really capturing the action.
--Bob

Jim-Pops wrote:

I appreciate everyone comments. Was interesting when dpullman brought up the photographer in the background. There was also one in the foreground that I made sure I cropped out. I was on the top tier of the bleachers to take the pictures and never could get rid of the foreground rail with just positioning. I now know I will not do any more background removal from all the comments.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

CHG_CANON wrote:

The problem is not the background, rather, the fence in the foreground.

Were I the photographer, I would be very happy the fence is there.

TheeGambler Loc: The green pastures of Northeast Texas

Lots of nice action in your photo. I like it. When I do these kinds of events, I get on ground level and shoot through the fence. So, I couldn't have gotten this shot. That bull is just too close. It would be great if you could remove the fence, it might just be worth the time. You can process this as digital art, an advertisement, or photo book, etc. Or, you can just put it in your collection. I usually have some idea about how I will use a photo, and that dictates how it will be processed. As for the background, again, that depends on the purpose or use of the photo. I like the new background you used. It makes a big difference as I see it. Maybe just tweak it a little so that the figures stand out more. Maybe use something simple on the background like a change in tone, a little texture, or a little blur.