ocean dunes

This is gorgeous!
I really love the overall picture. The colors blend really well, the images complement each other, and the feel is powerful and dramatic.

Technique:
You are very talented. you really know what you're doing when it comes to cutting out stock images. There aren't any jagged edges that I can tell and the lines flow smoothly. Also you did the manes, tails, and all hair really nicely! It flows naturally, and looks very realistic, not quite painted, very different than what you normally see, but in a good way. Although if I could give you a tip, it would be to make the hair a bit more dynamic in shading, in order to make it look a little more realistic and interesting. Though in this piece I think the hair goes well with the surroundings, so maybe in a more colorful piece make it a bit more dynamic. One last little thing, bravo on choosing a light source, and keeping all of your piece focused on that one point. <img src="e.deviantart.net/emoticons/b/b…" width="15" height="15" alt="" title=" (Big Grin)"/>

Originality:
This piece.... I don't think I've ever seen anything like it. Usually when dealing with an Equine manipulation the horse is the main focus and all glittery or spectacular looking. Or if it involves a human as well they are generally pretty made up as well. This takes a completely different turn. It's a bit dark, but not totally depressing. The focus isn't on just the horse or riders, but on them as a whole, but also not them as you have blurred out parts of them, whilst leaving the rest crisp and clear. Making them seem almost like a dream. Really wonderful.

Vision:
The Vision of the piece is kind of lost on me, but I'm really god awful at discerning those types of things anyways, so ignore this part of the critique....

Impact:
I don't write a critique unless the piece really moves me. It has to be Original, have Vision, and Good Technique. So it isn't often that I find myself writing these. So yours has incredible impact or else I wouldn't have written this!