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ctfchallenge | all galleries >> Challenge 75: My Town >> Challenge 75: Eligible > What was once plains *
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20-FEB-2005 Brian Barnes

What was once plains *

Overlooking downtown Kansas City, Missouri, “The Scout” represents a Sioux Indian and his horse who have returned from a hunting trip. Poised on a limestone rock formation, they appear to be contemplating the more recent changes of the plains. The statue was created in 1915 by Cyrus E. Dallin (1861-1944) and is located on 29th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue in Penn Valley Park. This statue is considered by many Kansas Citians as their most famous statue.

Canon EOS 10D ,Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 EX ASP DF
1/30s f/9.5 at 70.0mm iso100 hide exif
Full EXIF Info
Date/Time20-Feb-2005 16:20:38
MakeCanon
ModelEOS 10D
Flash UsedNo
Focal Length70 mm
Exposure Time1/30 sec
Aperturef/9.5
ISO Equivalent100
Exposure Bias
White Balance (-1)
Metering Modematrix (5)
JPEG Quality (6)
Exposure Programprogram (1)
Focus Distance

other sizes: small medium large original auto
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Guest 27-Feb-2005 21:42
Brian, Prior to me writing anyting you already got all the valuable comments, what can I add new? Your shor has a great angle and nice composition. Go to the library archives of your town and see if you can find a old/very old picture of this statue taken from a same/simlar angle, then you can do a small before/after story of your town.
Rod 22-Feb-2005 09:58
That works well Brian, it does look better. Just goes to show....you never know until you know:-) I thought it couldn't be improved but you did it, well done.
ctfchallenge22-Feb-2005 05:00
I've decided to remove a small section of the crane so it doesn't appear to be attached to the horse. Brian
Rod 21-Feb-2005 19:38
If the challenge was just photograph based then the cranes could be a distraction. But in keeping with the photojournalist theme we have the text to combine with the shot. Reading your text & looking at the shot I think the cranes really add to the totally different worlds the Indian is contemplating. Also look how the three cranes recede & lead the eye into the city. The top part of the nearest crane that's almost reaching out & touching the horse makes sure the viewer can't miss the point you were making in text & photography. You may get more votes by cloning the crane but anyone who reads your text should find the cranes an essential part of the shot...........Well almost anyone:-)
ctfchallenge21-Feb-2005 18:28
so you are my neighbour (NE and MO)! coooool! if your wife suggested the shot, she really has a nice eye for photos.
you are right, cloning out parts of the crane attached to horse and possibly to building will definitely help the shot. IMHO the sky is quite simple so you might be able to clone out the complete top part of the crane really easily (will just be a kind of transmission tower). -Abstract
Guest 21-Feb-2005 14:09
Thanks Rod! My wife did suggest this spot. It’s really a lot of fun when your spouse finds interest in your hobby. It also makes it easier to justify those expensive purchases (e.g. the successor for the 20D).

Rich, At first I was disappointed that the construction cranes were there. However, as I thought more about what I was trying to illustrate with the photograph my opinion changed. To me the Indian is surveying the invasive expansion of those who took over his lands. The cranes just add to this theme. Perhaps I could clone out a very small section of the tallest crane so that is doesn’t appear to be attached to the horse. Do you think this would help or should I leave it alone? Brian
ctfchallenge21-Feb-2005 12:07
Great shot. I think it would be even better if the crane was removed. rich
Rod 21-Feb-2005 11:14
Great stuff Brian what a terrific shot. The statue looks magnificent against that backdrop. Even the cranes work really well. Did your wife set this up for you?:-)