Working Man Hands (C&C welcome)

[KimC]

I had an opportunity to photograph a blacksmith at work recently, and this is my artistic interpretation of "part" of the process. I have a lot of respect for blacksmiths - it's a backbreaking and risky job.

#1


#2 - I liked the movement in the hands on this image


#3 - The shoe is red in this image as it was heated with fire -- it doesn't hurt the horse and it helps set the shoe.

[flashback]

Kim these are all great shots but I think, for a shot that really captures a moment it has to be #3. The cherry red shoe, the smoke just pouring off of the hoof (and that rather distinct smell), it all just perfectly renders a timeless process. After #3 I would go with #1 for the capture of working hands.

I agree this is a hazardous occupation, I don't think there's a farrier alive who hasn't been cow kicked at least once. I think being stepped on is just a daily occurrence. It appears to me that you got the lighting, focus and composition all wrapped up, great images all three.

[TonyW]

These certainly are lovely shots. They remind of my childhood long ago when I would watch the blacksmith in action just like that. The ones I remember would make the shoes starting with an iron bar. Later, they used ready formed shoes.

I also remember being kicked in the stomach by a foal. It was a bit of a pet but got spooked by a lot of people around. It certainly hurt but did not do any serious damage.

[Shadowman]

Nice series.

[mugge]

Kim, the first shot is showing hard working hands the third shot is my pick, good use of low shutter speed to capture the smoke really make it.
Cheers Ole

[FootLoose]

That 3rd shot is outstanding, Kim. Good set.

[DEAN01]

Beautiful work, Kim. The third shot is stunning.

[Mike Buckley]

Fascinating series made very well in a difficult lighting situation.

I realize the light has changed a bit by the time you captured the last one, but if you could get the overall look of the rich tonalities and mid-tone contrast of the first two images in the third one so it pops just as much, it would be nothing short of magical in my mind.

[bnnrcn]

Very nice set Kim

[KimC]

Thank you to all who took the time to comment - always appreciated.

[KimC]

100% agree Mike - I was hoping for the same tones in the 3rd as well. Perhaps I'll give it another try, as today is a different day ;-)

Fascinating series made very well in a difficult lighting situation.

I realize the light has changed a bit by the time you captured the last one, but if you could get the overall look of the rich tonalities and mid-tone contrast of the first two images in the third one so it pops just as much, it would be nothing short of magical in my mind.

[John 2]

That's a great set Kim. Like everyone else, no.3 is a stand out for me as well.

[KimC]

Thank you for taking the time to comment John.

That's a great set Kim. Like everyone else, no.3 is a stand out for me as well.

[Shanghai Steve]

The framing is nice, but the colour treatment detracts from the impact of the scene. Blacksmith's hands = honest simplicity; unsuited to an over-emphasised colourisation.

[IzzieK]

Sorry to have missed this post as I have been away on one of our summer/fall trips. The series is very good, Kim. My favourite is the last one. You got the lighting right and the smoke and if you did not explained the process I would have pity the horse.

[KimC]

Thanks for commenting Izzie. I figured some people would be concerned, so that's why I explained it. :-)

Sorry to have missed this post as I have been away on one of our summer/fall trips. The series is very good, Kim. My favourite is the last one. You got the lighting right and the smoke and if you did not explained the process I would have pity the horse.

[KimC]

Thanks for commenting Steve. I'm a little unclear about your comment -- I went back this morning to see what I did to the images and I didn't increase saturation, I actually did very little to them with the exception of pulling back highlights, lifting shadows slightly. The blacksmith, in real life, is a very rich golden brown color.

The framing is nice, but the colour treatment detracts from the impact of the scene. Blacksmith's hands = honest simplicity; unsuited to an over-emphasised colourisation.

[Shanghai Steve]

Thanks for commenting Steve. I'm a little unclear about your comment -- I went back this morning to see what I did to the images and I didn't increase saturation, I actually did very little to them with the exception of pulling back highlights, lifting shadows slightly. The blacksmith, in real life, is a very rich golden brown color.

Oh really? Maybe it's my eyes, or being used to the colour palate of a different camera brand or something, but to me the colour seems a bit weird, maybe a touch orange. I do tend to think best in mono, so I wouldn't worry about it!

[KimC]

Thanks Steve. With the summer sun, his skin does get a bit orangish/golden/brown.

Oh really? Maybe it's my eyes, or being used to the colour palate of a different camera brand or something, but to me the colour seems a bit weird, maybe a touch orange. I do tend to think best in mono, so I wouldn't worry about it!

[Mike Buckley]

The skin tones look natural on my calibrated monitor.