OurColony.net

BREATHTAKING & HONEST, A TREAT FOR THE EYES & THE HEART

Customer Rating:
I HAVE PURCHASED SEVERAL EQUINE "COFFEE TABLE" PHOTOGRAPHY BOOKS OVER THE YEARS. SO FAR, OUT OF ALL THE VARIOUS PHOTOGRAPHY ARTISTS, I HAVE THREE ABSOLUTE FAVORITES. MICHAEL EASTMAN, TONY STROMBERG, AND GABRIELE BOISELLE. THIS BOOK SIMPLY ENTITLED "HORSES" IS A REAL PLEASURE TO BEHOLD. DONE IN MOSTLY BROWNTONES, EACH PHOTOGRAPH IS WARM AND INVITING WHILE ALSO VISUALLY DRAMATIC. EASTMAN MANAGES TO CAPTURE SO MUCH EQUINE EMOTION IN EACH PICTURE WHILE NOT OVERWHELMING HIS VIEWERS WITH ANY PARTICULAR MESSAGE. HE SIMPLY BRINGS FORTH THE BEAUTY & GRACE, THE WILDNESS, AND GENTLENESS, THE INQUISITIVENESS AND THE SHYNESS, WITH BRILLIANT ARTISTRY IN EVERY PICTURE. THE WHOLE BOOK IS LIKE A LOVE LETTER TO THE HORSE. I ENJOY SPENDING TIME WITH THIS BOOK OVER AND OVER AND HAVE SHARED IT WITH BOTH CHILDREN AND FELLOW ADULTS DURING MANY HAPPY HOURS ON MY SOFA. THIS BOOK IS A GREAT GIFT IDEA FOR ANY HORSEY PERSON IN YOUR LIFE AND IS SURE TO BE APPRECIATED ALWAYS. TWO THUMBS UP FOR MICHAEL EASTMAN!

Nice . . . if you're into digitally manipulated photography

Customer Rating:
I have to say, this book was interesting to look at, but not what I was expecting for equine photography. In this case, the author took very basic and quite bland photos and digitally enhanced them, creating more of a work of art then an actual photograph. It is common to see pictures of white horses with darkened backgrounds, or severly blurred images that either direct you to a small focal point or have no focal point at all. All of the pictures have been changed to either black & white or sienna brown. As far as spectacular equine photography goes, I would stick to the masters, such as Gabrielle Boiselle, Robert Vavra, etc. that do it without Photoshop.

Beautiful book!

Customer Rating:
Words cannot do justice for the photos in this book. Michael Eastman is without a doubt divinely inspired. The photos are emotional, touch the heart, and are genuine artwork. I bought this book for my mother who loves horses, but anyone who appreciates photography will enjoy it. It's a lovely treasure.

Photoshop Overkill

Customer Rating:
There is no doubt that Michael Easton is a talented photographer, so his over-manipulation of some of the images in the book was disappointing. I'm sure he had a purpose--some emotional reaction of his own to the pictures he'd taken--and he intended to elaborate on that emotion for the viewer, but my reactions must have been significantly different from his, as much of the reworking left me confused and unhappy. Still a great collection of horse photos for the horse lover, but not what I expected.

Equus

Customer Rating:
The Horse has for centuries represented power, whether as the bearer of gods and heroes or flying a la Pegasus through the constellations of myth and night skies. They are massive creatures, but they are likewise creatures of great sensitivity and beauty.

Michael Eastman has captured that extracorporeal essence of the Horse in this impressive volume. The photographs are majestic even when they are close up shots, details, or casual settings. It is just the way Eastman has with the camera that draws the extraordinary from the animal's presence.

Whether viewed individually on a wall as an art piece or collectively as in this fine volume, Michael Eastman has the gift for finding that spiritual moment that assures us that these beauteous creatures will remain as heroes, now and in future yet to be created myths. Grady Harp, March 06