Needs some help choosing which photo for my last month of camera club competition: I am 4/10s out of first don't think I can catch the leader. But would like to make it as close as...

PaulR01 Loc: West Texas

I am 4/10s out of first don't think I can catch the leader. But would like to make it as close as possible. I did notice that after uploading the photos look less saturated than viewing them on my desktop thru photoshop. They look better when you click the download button.

(Download)

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

The last one!
Background is not as distracting.
Horse is leaning in.
Rider is in line with the horse.
Which ever one you pick, the writing/logos on barrel is distracting.
Good Luck!!
Pat

Vietnam Vet

Kids usually steal the show. So the last one.

sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey

Jay Pat wrote:

The last one!
Background is not as distracting.
Horse is leaning in.
Rider is in line with the horse.
Which ever one you pick, the writing/logos on barrel is distracting.
Good Luck!!
Pat

Agree

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

I'd say 2, 5, or 7. These are the ones where you can see the riders' faces, and that's nice. The kid is cute, if cuteness counts in your group. Of the two adults, I'd pick the second one, but I can't put my finger on why. Perhaps the horse looks in better balance.

david vt Loc: Vermont

If adult, #5. If kid, #7. Backgrounds better. Agree with the comment on the barrel writing. If you are allowed “artistic improvement”, take out the writing

Jaackil Loc: Massachusetts

PaulR01 wrote:

I am 4/10s out of first don't think I can catch the leader. But would like to make it as close as possible. I did notice that after uploading the photos look less saturated than viewing them on my desktop thru photoshop. They look better when you click the download button.

I think they are all good. Of the lot I would say the last one is the one I would use. That said as others have mentioned the writing on the barrel is distracting. On closer inspection it appears that is your focus point. So I am assuming the reason it is distracting is that is the sharpest thing in the image. Unless the barrel is your subject it really shouldn’t be. I would like to see the faces sharper. Just a critique not a criticism. Good Luck.

Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

PaulR01 wrote:

I am 4/10s out of first don't think I can catch the leader. But would like to make it as close as possible. I did notice that after uploading the photos look less saturated than viewing them on my desktop thru photoshop. They look better when you click the download button.

I pick the last one too. Great shot and good luck.

SkyKing Loc: Thompson Ridge, NY

...these are all great...and each one has pluses and minuses...but in looking at all the animals number 4 is the best because of the sheer energy and position of the animal to the ground...I like that she is not wearing a hat and you see her face...I wish she was wearing a more colorful outfit...while the little girl is nice her position on the horse does not look balanced...I like the one with the cowboy hat but the horse doesn’t look as nice as some of the others...can you photoshop some of the image...remove “Rocky Mountain” off the shirt and add some bokeh to the background...?

hj Loc: Florida

If this is more about the barrel racing horse, I much prefer the third one. More color and sharp contrast as well as the action shown with the flying dirt. The seventh might be cute with a young girl, but I feel the photo is somewhat washed out, particularly the young girl.

raymondh Loc: Walker, MI

I’d go with 1 - they say that red is an attention grabber.

SkyKing Loc: Thompson Ridge, NY

...maybe if you start by eliminating some...I would eliminate all of the photos in which the barrel cuts off parts of the rider or horse...that would narrow it down to #1, 4, 6 & 7...

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

In all these images the viewer's eye (and attention) is immediately drawn to the single component which is in critically sharp focus... In all but the second image it is the Logo on the barrel which is razor sharp.

All images here were with a Canon 1D-x; EF 70-200mm IS II USM at f/3.2; 1/1000 sec; ISO 8000
The settings are identical for each of these images.

The sad news is on the last image which is by far an away so totally precious! And priceless had the focus been on her face and not the obnoxious barrel logo...

Don't know what went wrong here PaulR01... either you prefocused on the barrel or your Canon 1D-x's face recognition was having a very "bad hair day"... whatever...

Best advice: Learn how to pan and follow your subject when shooting sports action PaulR01...
Not an easy task however rather appropriate and germane for nearly all action sports...
btw, using single point focus can (and usually does) assure you lock on your "chosen" subject...
Especially with BBF...

And please don't take my critique the wrong way... it is hopefully intended to lift your expertise to the next level PaulR01... I also have made countless epic errors on my journey...

From the wisdom of Lao Tzu
Truthful words are not beautiful; beautiful words are not truthful.
Good words are not persuasive; persuasive words are not good.

All the best on your journey PaulR01

67skylark27 Loc: Fort Atkinson, WI

First one or last one.

67skylark27 Loc: Fort Atkinson, WI

First one or last one.