Submitter's name:	Olaf Greve
Title:	Rocinante
Gear used:	OM-4Ti + Zuiko 35-80/2.8 @ 80mm
Diaphragm:	f2.8 or f4 (probably f4)
Shutter speed:	Unrecorded, but around 1/125th second
Film used:	Fuji Provia 100F
Technical information:	The 80mm short telephoto setting was used to put strong emphasis on the subject, by blurring out the background. The smooth bokeh of the famous Zuiko 35-80/2.8 aids this purpose very well.
Scanning technique:	This picture (as well as the two extra pictures in the link) were scanned by Hans van Veluwen on a Nikon Coolscan slide/negative scanner. Downsizing the pictures caused some detail and sharpness to got lost (i.e. the original slide of this horse is so sharp, one can count the hairs of the horse's face!), but still the results look great, and far better than I could ever get with my own el-cheapo scanner. Thanks a lot again!
Subject information:	The picture was taken in Córdoba (Andalucía, south Spain), hence I chose a Spanish title which I took from Don Quijote de La Mancha (which I am reading at present): Rocinante is Don Quijote's horse. In reality these horses have little to do with roaming knights, but rather are tourist attractions, as one can rent such a horse + carriage + driver for a drive around the city. I loved the "strong look" of the horse's head as it could be seen from the side. IMO, the blinkers, the bells, and the straps (which have the colours of the Spanish flag) attribute a lot to the strong composition. The Zuiko 35-80/2.8 did the rest. There are two other shots which are examples of the even better bokeh of the Zuiko 100/2. If you want to see these, please click here.
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Comment left by: Alasdair Mackintosh (vanda@dtn.ntl.com)

A nice picture, especially where the ring on the harness stands out against the stable wall. But... Follow the link to the other shots and take a look at "Extra Picture No. 2", which is absolutely superb. The out of focus rails frame the subject perfectly without being obtrusive. Together with the even more indistinct line of vanishing trees, all elements combine to centre on the girl's wistful face. (Tiny bit of nitpicking - the plane of focus is slightly forward of the girl's face. But it's still a great shot.) In cases like this, it might be better to submit the picture anyway, and admit that it was taken slightly out of the shooting period. After all, this is supposed to be a friendly "competition".

Comment left by: Ray Moth (ray_moth@yahoo.com)

Superb composition with a bokeh that makes this a great picture IMHO. The tonal balance is very pleasing to my eye. I would be really proud to have shot this one!

Comment left by: Jay Maynard (jmaynard@conmicro.cx)

The background makes this picture, by staying out of the way.

Comment left by: James Kiker (james.kiker@pegs.com)

Nice shot. I like the framing, and the background looks like it was done with paint. Very smooth!

Comment left by: Paul Schings (ZuikoholicRI@aol.com)

Lovely background, soft, like James said - it looks like a painting. I keep wishing I could see the horse's eye. though.

Comment left by: Lex (lexjenkins@hotmail.com)

I'll bet the original slide, and a good print, would absolutely glow. The background is so perfectly soft that it beautifully highlights the diagonal formed by the horse's profile.

Comment left by: Gregg Iverson (giverson@webkorner.com)

The contrast between the colorful halter and the dark brown harness with the eye covered is interesting. Nicely blurred background that still retains just enough detail.

Comment left by: Barry H (bhinderks@sprint.ca)

WOW!!

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