My Favorite Subjects :)

[24Freak]

I just got my first DSLR a few days ago, a Canon Rebel XSi, and have already learned lots. Here is my favorite photograph out of all I've taken so far. It's simple, but still one of the best I've shot so far. Since I'm still new at photography, how is the composition? Depth of field? Focus? How could I improve on this shot? What do you like and dislike about this image?

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e8...y/IMG_0020.jpg

No flash used.
Focal length: 51.0mm
Exposure: 1/60
Aperture: f/5.6
ISO: 800

[jpsnapdy]

Hi there 24Freak,
Nice dog !
I'm not a pro myself, so take this from who it comes.
First, framing your photo is important, here since the legs and ears of your subject are out of the frame, it bothers me. I would crop it deliberately to show a portrait type of picture. Take the opportunity to also remove the nasty diagonal pole on the left. You can also probably do without most of the (photo)graphically uninteresting stuff that occupies the entire right side of your pic.
On an average, one out of 10 shots is what I keep, and maybe one in 100 can be shown.
Good luck !

[fannyanna]

I'm even more of an amateur so my comments may not be too valid. As said before I agree that it's a shame that the lovely doggies ears are out of the frame. I'm not too bothered about the legs - I don't think it looks too bad when a large part is out (like the legs) as it can look purposeful. Little bits like the tops of ears look like a bit of an error - I have sooo many pictures of subjects with missing bits - haha.

I also agree about the pole.

I like the way you've got your background blurred (erm, is this called depth of field) and I quite like your composition - I know it's not rule of thirds more rule of halves but I quite like it.

[Laurenbiz]

Composition: fairly good with a nice 'rule of thirds' kind of shot going on

DOF: Good - the f/5.6 aperture will create the nice blur you have here

Focus: Good

Improvements: Don't cut off his ears! Also, I would try levels or curves in Photoshop to enhance the colors and contrast a little more. The overall feel here is a little dull since it lacks contrast, and the colors seem flat. Maybe angle yourself so you are more in line with him at eye-level, since he is looking down at the camera.

And I have been debating for quite some time now whether I want to consider a Greyhound or a German Shepherd! So, I automatically really like this photo just because it stikes a chord personally with me! Great looking doggy! :-D

[lee kivi]

Here's another non-expert opinion. The legs being cut off bothered me, I would either show all the leg or non at all, maybe holding the camera vertically for this shot might work. Also I think this would be a good time to break the rule of thirds, since he(?) is looking right at you. If he was looking to the right, into the frame, I would feel different. Oh yeah, don't forget the ears. TFS