Talking Sheep: Two sheep farmers at a livestock sale. Perhaps it should be sub-titled "Did I hear someone say mint sauce"?

Graham Smith Loc: Cambridgeshire UK

Two sheep farmers at a livestock sale.

Perhaps it should be sub-titled "Did I hear someone say mint sauce"?

(Download)

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Fun shot! Love your perspective, the lines made by the pens, and - as always - your masterful use of dodge and burn

kenievans Loc: Dallas

What a fun shot! Excellently done and I love the expression on the sheep's face like he is intently listening to the conversation.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Best in B/W!

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

That is simply excellent! It’s a great capture of the moment.

fergmark Loc: norwalk connecticut

This photo is so you. The subtlety's are powerful. The moment, the interaction and the composition. The remarkable rendering of the wax coat. All very captivating. The humor and good nature are very satisfying. The man in the cap has the wooliest chest I have ever seen. Maybe I just don't get around much. The lamb's participation is so moving, that it might overshadow the rich spirit within the photo, on just a brief examination. It's one of my favorite photos I realize.

Linda2 Loc: Yakima Wa.

Linda From Maine wrote:

Fun shot! Love your perspective, the lines made by the pens, and - as always - your masterful use of dodge and burn

These look like a couple of fun people to know-would like to hear their conversation. I have finally decided to try and learn a bit more about pp since I have had Affinity for over a year now and what I am really curious about, Linda, is how could you tell that dodge and burn was used? Probably your years of experience!

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Linda2 wrote:

... what I am really curious about, Linda, is how could you tell that dodge and burn was used? Probably your years of experience!

Oh great, put me on the spot, Linda2!

It's all about the light: I don't feel there's a "natural" reason for the upper half of the standing man to be brighter than the seated man, and same for the sheep that's looking at them. I suppose there could be a bit of sunlight from a window as a starting point, but...

...I'm thinking that a significant amount of selective lightening (dodge) was done to the standing man's face, shirt and jacket; the seated man's head; and to the sheep's head and rump.

There could be a vignette involved - or there's a lot of selective darkening (burn) - in the lower 1/3 of the frame. And finally, there appears to be selective sharpening and blurring - all these tools employed to draw our eye to the areas I mentioned, and resulting in huge impact!

Graham, how'd I do?

Linda2 Loc: Yakima Wa.

Linda From Maine wrote:

Oh great, put me on the spot, Linda2! img src="ht... (show quote)

Thanks Linda! I guess I am just not sure that I look for all those elements when I am looking at a photo I enjoying. but I am thinking that will come with increasing knowledge and experience with pp. I just expect light to be perfect all the time-hah

Graham Smith Loc: Cambridgeshire UK

Linda From Maine wrote:

Oh great, put me on the spot, Linda2! img src="ht... (show quote)

You did very well, Linda. I've attached an "original" which has only been converted to jpg and reduced in size. As you can see there were no dramatic changes other than some dodging and burning to increase contrast and some selective sharpening to concentrate the viewer's eye on the important elements. And, as you say, I applied a little vignette, which again, concentrates the viewers eye.

(Download)

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Graham Smith wrote:

You did very well, Linda. I've attached an "original" which has only been converted to jpg and reduced in size. As you can see there were no dramatic changes other than some dodging and burning to increase contrast and some selective sharpening to concentrate the viewer's eye on the important elements. And, as you say, I applied a little vignette, which again, concentrates the viewers eye.

Very instructive, thank you!

Linda2 Loc: Yakima Wa.

Graham Smith wrote:

You did very well, Linda. I've attached an "original" which has only been converted to jpg and reduced in size. As you can see there were no dramatic changes other than some dodging and burning to increase contrast and some selective sharpening to concentrate the viewer's eye on the important elements. And, as you say, I applied a little vignette, which again, concentrates the viewers eye.

Now that is really fun to see what can be done and is inspiring to pursue more pp. Thank you for sharing this image and the info Graham. Your b/w are always amazing and enjoyed!

BassmanBruce Loc: Middle of the Mitten

Linda From Maine wrote:

Very instructive, thank you!

This friendly back and forth was very helpfull for me.
It tie in with your “what’s important” tag and helps explain why Graham’s photos are always so good.
Thanks to all.

Edit: oops, sorry I left you out Graham, nice shot and nice finish. Again.
And I always look forward to them.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

BassmanBruce wrote:

This friendly back and forth was very helpfull for me.
It tie in with your “what’s important” tag and helps explain why Graham’s photos are always so good.
Thanks to all.

Linda2 Loc: Yakima Wa.

BassmanBruce wrote:

This friendly back and forth was very helpfull for me.
It tie in with your “what’s important” tag and helps explain why Graham’s photos are always so good.
Thanks to all.

Edit: oops, sorry I left you out Graham, nice shot and nice finish. Again.
And I always look forward to them.

More thumbs from me too👍👍Glad another found this helpful.😀