This image was produced to honor Sean. It was obviously inspired by Sean's own picture 'The Cowboy'and by Sean Mahoney's 'The Last Goodbye'. A lot went into the planning, I knew I could get sky colors similar to those in 'The Cowboy' this time of the year if the sky was clear at sunset, that was the forecast for Saturday and it came true. Manuel helped me build the cross, Irene Caballero kindly provided one of her horses (Comanche) and the location, Rogelio loaned me the cowboy hat and helped during the shoot along with Manuel, Irene and my daughter Marisa, many thanks to all of them.
I have the feeling Sean would have liked this image, and that is all that matters, regardless of how it does in the challenge. I also hope Melissa and the other members of Sean's family appreciate the picture and forgive me if by any chance the image unintentedly offends their religion.
Post-challenge:
This picture and ribbon are dedicated to the memory of Sean Michael Matos.
Thank you all for your votes and kind comments.
Statistics
Place: 2 out of 91 Avg (all users): 7.5912 Avg (commenters): 8.9444 Avg (participants): 7.9286 Avg (non-participants): 7.4892 Views since voting: 8942 Views during voting: 561 Votes: 181 Comments: 61 Favorites: 19 (view)
Strange...I recall really liking this shot. I don't know why I didn't fav it then. Such a powerful image even a little over a year later. At least now I can look at it without crying...barely :)
Beautiful tones, and I particularly like the camera hanging from the cross - like the cowboy photographer has shot his last, (at least in mortality) and the horse is paying his respects to the man - really good shot with a touch of lightness even in a serious shot
Sean Mahoney's The Last Goodbye is one of the most awesome, evocative images I have ever experienced. I'm touched to see that his image still inspires people after all this time. You've done a wonderful tribute here......I don't know why I missed it before. A truly masterful work, sir!
This is Melissa: Thank you so much for participating in this challenge to honor my Wonderful Husband, Sean. I appreciate that you are thinking of our feelings and that means a lot. I am not offended in any way, for it was your tribute to Sean. I thought the silouette was a beautiful idea, since that was his winning shot. Also the hat and the camera, shows things he truly loved. I love the colors, it is absolutely breathtaking. He would have loved the fact that you took the time to wait for the perfect sky. He always did that too. I know he would have loved this shot. Thank you so much for your thoughts & this picture.
.... My point is that we live in a diverse society and that we need to know about the beliefs and lifestyles of others before using symbols that may risk offending. Your photo is well thought out and your sentiments are genuine...
I feel this was the BEST sentiment shared. Sorry catnapper but I think EVERYONE should be able to represent their beliefs, lifestyles and use of symbols without fear of offending. Congratulations senor_kasper....I knew I'd see this on the front page!!
This is a most beautiful and sensitive image, Andres. I love the fact that the horse is leaning towards the cross. Great work and a very worthy ribbon winer. Congratulations.
Congratulations, Andres, on a beautiful tribute and the red ribbon.
Also, thanks for correcting the spelling on my title. I have discovered that it can't be changed after the submission phase ends, so I'm stuck with it.
Nice tribute to Sean's blue ribbon winner. I understand the symbolism using the cross with the hat and camera, and take away the camera and you could probably interest Hallmark in making this a condolence card. However, when making a tribute to an individual we should use caution with religious symbols unless we know the faith of the one we are honouring, imagine using a Star of David in a tribute and finding out that the person you are memorialising is Muslim. You are probably unaware that Sean and his family are Jehovah's Witnesses, and the cross is not a part of their faith. I am not pointing this out to make you feel bad, please don't as I fully appreciate your intent. My point is that we live in a diverse society and that we need to know about the beliefs and lifestyles of others before using symbols that may risk offending. Your photo is well thought out and your sentiments are genuine, I'm giving it the high score it deserves.
Not sure about the faint shapes of the trees in the background, but it seems as though you were trying to make them less of a distraction to the main silhouettes of the horse and cross. I think taking them out all together would make for a cleaner shot (if that's legal with the editing).
Oh wow way to do a shot to honor a fellow DPCer! This has many elements of JawnyRico's blue ribbon The Cowboy - from the sunset hues to the silhouette of the main subject. But that is where it stops for now the horse is without his rider. His friend has passed. In memory of JawnyRico there is a cross bearing a cowboy hat and a camera (nice touch by the way) Lighting and compositional elements are very strong in this photo. The title also strengthens the emotions and mood of the picture. Very well done bumping up to 9.
Terrific work with the lighting, the dual-layer of silhouttes is magical. Lovely sunset colors. The cross with the camera and hat is perhaps too busy and somewhat heavy-handed, but it certainly gets the point across.
I think this is the best in show, I wanted to do the same shot except I couldn't get a horse..... The sky colors are just like Sean's shot. The only thing that I see as a detractor is the trees in the background but I still think this is the winner. 10, awesome job!!!
Great use of props that are a nice touch for the theme of this challenge. I particularly like the OOF bg trees (guess that a side note in the overall scheme of your composition). :-)
Excellent image as a memorial for Sean. Great silhouette. The lighter trees inthe backdrop are a nice touch. I wish the colors were a tad more vibrant, but thats just the DPC in me I guess.
Eternal Friendship
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