Hello Heather, good to hear from you. Hmmm, it’s the size of the pony that gives the impact for me, but it may be a bit too unconventional. As for form, I think the Welsh is a tad smaller in stature than the Dartmoor - and are possibly more like an Exmoor? You would know that better than me. Without all three stood together I couldn’t be sure what I was looking at. Of course, I could do a composite that brings them all together, that would sort things out! Thanks for looking in, it’s apprecisted.

As an artist you are several steps ahead of a photographer, and I often envy you that. You see, you have total freedom to create any image you can imagine, in any composition, light, colour and so on. I seldom take shots with an actual composite in mind, sometimes but seldom. Mostly I shoot for my own stock then, when the mood takes me I run through them to find something that might fit the bill for my latest idea. Hence, I cannot turn the horse round as much as I may wish. Flipping is very limited - most people struggle to imagine a flipped image accurately and think far more will happen than actually does! As it happens the pony is flipped from original in this case. As for things that face out of frame, yes I agree convention says not, but rules must be broken at times and here, for me, it works fine. I understand it will jar with some though, and accept that.
Your critique is very much appreciated and thought provoking, many thanks for joining-in.

Thank you Bob, glad you like it.

Well it’s always down to the viewer for sure Dave, and this image has fallen all ways - some like, some not so much, some forgive its inaccuracies and some would prefer a pro job. All of which I accept willingly. Even some of the Old Masters took liberties at times and put it down to ‘artist’s licence’. I don’t think we can get away with quite so much of that as photographers, even when compositing. Folk are used to seeing superb pro photos in every publication they pick up, so why shouldn’t they expect perfection from us mere amateurs? Keeps us striving, which is a good thing. Thanks for your thoughts on it, they are valued.

Thanks cambriaman. Have you had a look at the revision about half way down page 1? It does sort some of the points raised (but I still like the original).

Yes, FYC is a great place for keeping you on your toes, and that’s how it should be. Glad you approve of the revision, although I still like it big! Thanks for commenting rlaugh.

Thanks Dave, glad you approve. Not sure I shall do much more with it now, it’s not one for printing, but I do agree it does require some more considered work on the light source.

Bob, that nearness is due to the sunset shot. Too dark now to see, but in the original the foreground is short and then drops away abruptly. The attraction, apart from the sunset, was the viewpoint with layers of receding hills. So, I simply set the pony close to the front as there wasn’t much ground to plonk him on. In the second version I’ve extended the ground backwards using the grass the pony was standing on. Keeping things dark hides a lot of sins! I went with you when considering the light problem and relied on light from the clouds. Maybe it’s helped a little to reduce the pony, I’m not sure, but I do like him large.
Many thanks for taking the time to consider it, and the comments.
Dave.

Not a problem Linda, I’m just getting to know the standards you set!

This one was actually a spur of the moment thing whilst perusing some holiday shots. Not too much thought as to where it was going, but I shouldn’t admit that!

Here's a quick revision Linda, which does address some of the issues I think. I know its not spot-on, but Ill call it practice!

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Thought somebody would pick-up on the light direction RG. It bothered me from the outset but I convinced myself I’d get away with it. Not so! I reckon Linda’s suggestion is the way forward regarding space. Not convinced the light problem can be overcome in a reasonable time scale versus value of image, if you see what I mean. I do have other ideas for the pony though.

Not until I’d finished it Linda. Then just as I was posting it, I thought ‘Linda’s going to suggest adding a bit more foreground - not far off was I? I think your right, reducing the size of the pony will probably sort the problem out. I’ll give it a go a bit later. Thanks for the shove, it’s always appreciated.

I don’t think anyone will be too bothered either. Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for commenting.

A sort of 'mixed metaphors' image! The sunset it taken above Blaenau Ffestiniog and I felt needed something to set it off. The pony was under Haytor on Dartmoor. Whilst I like both Welsh and Dartmoor ponies, whether anyone could tell the elements of the scene don't really go together, I have no idea. Do you think they work? Any critique always welcome.

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Thanks for looking Mike, glad it caught your interest. There may be more to come in October.