In honor of the Kentucky Derby

[Nancy Bell]

Actually, the only similarity between this and the Kentucky Derby is both involve horses! Yesterday I helped determine if 10 horse & rider pairs were adequately trained to be Forest Service patrol volunteers in our Wilderness areas. Of course I took my camera along. I discovered it is very difficult to get a focused close-up of the eye as the horse is constantly looking around!

To the base image I used Topaz Adjust 5, whisperly, moving most of the sliders from the pre-set values. Then a small dose of Pixel Bender, oil paint and a small dose of Fractalius.

[Anita Bower]

Nancy: Lovely portrait. I like how you got in close. That lock of mane coming down around the eye is perfect. I like how you brought out the horse's hair and lovely color. I wish the eye were lighter. Here is one attempt at doing that--lightened it a bit and used Topaz Detail on it.
What fun to help with the horse and rider volunteer program. I assume you ride. Are you a riding volunteer also? It sounds so right for the West.

[Paul Lagasi]

Anita said it all, love the lock of hair curling around the eye. The details are tack sharp. Nice Composition, Well done

[Cheryl Slechta]

Hi, Nancy, I love horses' eyes I think Anita's repost looks good. Are there any particular types of horses that they use out there? I just returned from the Smokey Mountains and everyone uses gaited horses for their trail horses. That sounded strange to me.

[Maureen Allen]

Beautiful, intimate. I love it, Nancy. I prefer the OP.

[Kerry Perkins]

I've always loved horses' eyes, and used to ride when I was young (I think...) I like your subtle processing that really enhances the features. Nice compositional elements too, with the curve of the forelock and the balancing effect of the bit of rope. Very nice!

[Nancy Bell]

Thank you all. Anita, I like both versions of the eye. I'm always glad to see a different interpretation. It makes me think.

I rode for many years as a volunteer Forest Ranger and had a wonderful time. I also played cowgirl and helped round up cattle in the fall. The horse is indeed part of the "western experience". During those years I kept my horse on my property. Now I live in the mountains and cannot keep a horse here. My "Ollie-boy" found a retirement home with lots of green grass and plays uncle to young horses that share the pasture with him. I now hike, using my own feet, as a volunteer Forest Ranger.

The horses here are mostly Quarter Horses, and that's what mine was. Paints and Appaloosas are also common but I think of them as colored Quarter Horses. Arabian horses are common, but more often used here for Endurance Races. I understand a gaited horse is delightful to ride and that they were an important part of the plantation era, making them most common in that part of the country. Since our mountain trail riding is rugged, it would not be often that the horse would even get into their "gaited" gait.