Mike Brouphy

My past life as an equine photographer has me loving this image. The long winter coat gives it ruggedness, the head over head give it intimacy, the perked up ears show attentiveness, and the hay bale gives the image triangulation. Technically, I would have left the +1ev as it was to bring out the whiteness of the coats. In CS4 I would've made a smart layer and taken the image back into ACR to take a masked out snow area down to 0ev. Great image John. BTW - John has recently had his application for his PPSA approved and will join us at the conference next October. Congrats John!!  

Richard Lotman Brown

My first thought was “Winter Warmth”, given the records this year in the States, as well as the tenderness, contrasted with the snowy backdrop. Not much to do, with this perfect capture, except send it to Hallmark or a stock photo house. 

John Gilkerson

Diane Bovenkamp

Instant emotional impact. Also, nice tonal range to handle the snow texture in the background and the straw in the foreground. I would love to have their faces a bit lighter, so I can look at more detail, but it's a beautiful, serendipitous shot. 

Elena McTighe

Pete Smith

John, I have spend two full days walking around the New forest trying something similar with all the very cold ponies down here, and I have not got anything half as good as this. You were very lucky to see and capture this, having said that, you still have to give yourself a chance by getting the exposure right is such bright conditions. Full range and detail everywhere. Well done. 

Carl Soerens

I really like the feeling of the photograph. You captured that well. I like this just the way it was presented. If you wanted to make this a stronger Monochrome, you could darken the bright background some and brighten the horses to make them stand out even more.  

John Gilkerson

John Gilkerson - Biography

Like many others I have been taking pictures for many years but seriously for a much shorter period. I joined my first photographic club in 1996 or 1997. Currently I am a member of Sunderland Photographic Association. I am also involved with the Northern Counties Photographic Federation. Serving as a member of the Executive as ‘Competition Officer, prints. I also serve on the Competitions and International Exhibition sub-committees. My photography tends to be mainly landscape and travel but I also photograph abstracts, sport, nature etc. I am 59 years of age and divorced. I live just north of Newcastle Upon Tyne in the north east of England. Currently I am working towards a PPSA, having 6 stars, and qualifying acceptances for a further 2 stars. I need 15 acceptances for the remaining 2 stars. I gained my CPAGB in 2008.