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Window To The Soul


Window To The Soul
Photo Information
Copyright: Helen Matten (Helkoryo) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2091 W: 255 N: 4966] (21690)
Genre: Places
Medium: Black & White
Date Taken: 2008-07-05
Categories: Daily Life, Event, Mood
Camera: Canon EOS 400D/Rebel XTi
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/320 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2008-07-07 0:34
Viewed: 310
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 58
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Good morning Peeps

On Saturday I took the rebel for a little trip to the Hollowell Steam and Shire Horse Rally. I was absolutely in my element. I walked around the stable area the the owners were kind enough to allow me into the stables to photograph some of the horses. I have adored horses since I was a young child but rarely have the opportunity to photograph any. These were all magnificent shire and cart horses. All gentle giants and I had the most amazing time with them.

I chose to post todays shot in greyscale because I felt I didn't want the image and the view blurred with any colour. This wonderful horse (A Percheron) was so gentle and kind and yet huge at 17.3 hands high (a hand is 4 inches measured to the top of the withers from the floor)

Below is a poem I absolutley love and I thought it fitting to post with todays image.

I've been told that I've the eyes of a dreamer
Some have told me they seem to be sad
Men have said they're the eyes of a lover
('Bedroom eyes' were once all the fad)
My eyes have seen much in a lifetime
As a child I 'saw' all I could be
Received in part through my senses
an image that was given of me
At times these eyes have shed tears
at times they've twinkled with mirth
These are eyes that reflect all my dreams
but at times have questioned my worth
Still they look at the sky filled with wonder
stars reflect in the depths of my soul
Bright spots in an ocean of darkness
That speak of a vision and goal

Oh Lord, let my eyes show kindness
may forgiveness keep them clear
May tears cleanse any bitterness
and dissolve any remnants of fear
May these eyes speak to others of love
A gentle heart that's not arid or dry
May they never be the eyes of a cynic
for the truth is our eyes cannot lie.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
may my eyes always seek for the good
To look beyond all that I see
to see instead what I should.

Do you see in my eyes a reflection
of the child filled with naivete and trust
or do you see in them a temptress
filled with evil intentions and lust?
I'd put it to you, if you'll listen
that all that you see in my eyes
Is based upon your own perceptions
Now tell me if they have been lies?

©Chanti 2005

More pics from this wonderful show to follow this week.

TTFN Kind regards Helen
mikolaj_cava, Hendrika, manujmehta, shelbeesmom, lrw1966, jan515, rewind, Silke, bdkammi, lilimih33, mvdisco, coquelicot79, billy-m, messenger1, perryhooter has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To pozaru: Hiya VladHelkoryo 1 07-08 06:55
To hairymunky: HIyaHelkoryo 1 07-07 13:28
To Radarflyer: Hiya JaneHelkoryo 1 07-07 11:48
To rewind: Hiya LesHelkoryo 1 07-07 11:45
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Critiques [Translate]

hello Helen
how are you?
wonderful focus with fine details
love the BW here
nice POV
nice idea and execution

regards
Manuj Mehta

Hi Helen,
very nice and orginal image,
excellent details, I like it!
TFS

Have a nice day!

Morning Helen,

This is lovely, but in order to really have the idea of a window I think the eye should be lighter.
I tried with the polygone tool to select the eye and made a gamma correction (yes in PhotoFiltre).
Do I see a fence or a window - I defenitely can see you in the eye.

TFS
Els

Hello Helen! Fantastic eye. Good idea. Very good work. Perfect light and sharp. Perfect capture. Excellent effect. Well done!

Hi Smurfie,
What a great close up of this horsie! Excellent B&W composition the reflection in his eye is stunning. Excellent posting my dear!
Hans

  • Great 
  • gemini (36)
  • [2008-07-07 2:07]

I like this image very much. I have taken a similar photo myself, but I feel yours works much better than mine - especially in black and white. The composition and DOV is perfect. Choice!
TFS
Elizabeth

Beautiful and emotional,Well arranged position of the eye and use of horse hair to emphasize subject,Clear sharpness and good low-key tone.Nice work,TFS.

Hi,Helen,
A wonderful horsy portrait in B/W
TFS
Valerka:)

It is a beauty indeed Helen.

Funny how coincidental that you were looking at horses this weekend. Yesterday Rob and I attended some "historic festival" in a village near by. Horses, old tractors and steam engines were all about. So much fun, so I really understand you being in your element! So was I!!!

I think you did wonderful to convert this to B/W. Nice sharpness in this friendly eye.

Cheers,
Anneke

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3196 W: 225 N: 6898] (27347)
  • [2008-07-07 4:00]

The greyscale is just right Helen for this horse. Looking at it I thought it was a pony, but you say it is a big horse - over 17 hands.
What a gentle eye it has. And I love it's long white fringe and eyelashes.
Well composed - I like him very much
Janice

  • Great 
  • Tizio Silver Star Critiquer [C: 16 W: 0 N: 3] (189)
  • [2008-07-07 5:26]

ciao Helen,great pic, really amazing! Tizio

No fair that a horse should have eyelashes like that! HA! I work so hard and get nowhere! Really nice work, excellent sharpness on this Helen! Love the close crop, BW works very well here!
B-)
Linda

Helen Hi;
Excellent presentation and very well composed in greyscale. Excellent note, as well, thanks.
Very well done.
Larry
USA-tfs

This horse seems to have tired eyes, but looks so gentle. Nice close-up composition.
Tracy

Hi helen,
great shot of the sad eye of this horse.
I really like the b/w here and also the sharpness and details are great.
A nice picture
well done
Toba

  • Great 
  • jan515 Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2512 W: 48 N: 2993] (14124)
  • [2008-07-07 7:52]

Hello Helen,
Very well made picture with very good sharpens, is, very good details and focus wonderful.
My compliment.
Janusz

  • Great 
  • jone Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 1838 W: 69 N: 0] (17532)
  • [2008-07-07 9:10]

Greetings Helen ;)))
Have a nice afternoon, evening...
J ;)

Hi Helen,
I love this picture it is just fantastic. The detail of the eye is perfect and the use of B&W finishes it so well.
What a beautiful horse with a lovely flowing mane.
TFS
Jane

Hi Helen, lovely shot, I thought it was a pony at first but I suppose there is no sense of scale with a close shot like this. I am amazed that no one has mentioned your poem, very lovely, fitting and thought provoking.
Best regards,
Les

Hi Helen
Great composition. Love the details in the face and the hair.
Horses eyes always seem to look sad (well to me anyhow..)

Cheers
Ears

Hi Smurfie,
This is great, nice sharp details and the black and white conversion works well,
Well done
Regards Andy

  • Great 
  • Silke Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3366 W: 284 N: 6438] (23896)
  • [2008-07-07 16:01]

Very fine close-up with superb details (fine self-portrait too :D)
TFS
silke

Hi Helen,

Wow, this is a great shot and something to aspire to as is all your work. Lovely compositon. His hair is beautiful. There is a sadness in his eye. I love the poem, thanks for sharing.

Best Regards,
Kammi

Hello Helen!
Really beautiful this close-up!
Excellent black & white composition with great detail!
Best regards!
Lili

I love it and i've played a bit.
See WS hope you don't mind

thanks,
v

Hi Helen,
Beautiful close up of the eye of this horse , Excellent POV. and details, great macro picture with a wanderful focus, Excellent done
My compliments
Michel

Bonsoir mon amie Helen,
I'm like you, a fan of horses, although it has never put my ass ;=) on a saddle. And I appreciate even more the forces of nature that are the draft horses, they're so powerful and sweet character.
Your shot is like them, powerful, hypnotic and so mysterious. The sharpness of eyelashes and the mane is superb especially in your choice of using the W / B.
I'll look your gallery to continue to see your POV.
Heartily, Corinne

Thank you for your nice messages, I'm very well in my new sweet-home sweet-home ;OD if it's still a lot of boxes to unpack

so perfect,so beautiful , so amazing !!

warm regards dear helen
biljana

Hello, Helen -
Very nice placement of the eye, as the focal point, within the frame. Beautiful sharp details of the hair and lashes, great catchlight on the large globe of that dark, soulful eye. Very peaceful mood. Well done.

Hello Helen !

You choose a very good event for your photo session . Great macro here of this Percheron. Sharpeness is excellent. I agree with your choice of the B&W conversion .

Useful workshop from Els to enhance the details of the eye.

Cheeers!
Robert

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