My brother's dog

[sv_goon]

Hi all,

Happened to catch my brother's dog when something across the yard got her attention and I really like her expression. I managed to get focused right on her eye, and I've cropped a little bit and just tweaked the levels.

Questions for critique are mostly around the colors. This seems like a one that could go in a lot of directions, but I'm not really good at doing that kind of thing. Does it need it?

And I notice now the crop I did puts a leaf along the right edge of the frame. Distracting?

Any other comments are welcome.

Cheers...



EXIF:
Camera Canon EOS 5D
Exposure 0.001 sec (1/1000)
Aperture f/1.4
Focal Length 50 mm
ISO Speed 800
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash Off, Did not fire

[Laurenbiz]

I didn't notice the leaf on the right side of the frame until you said something about it!

The colors are nice and rich. I like the colors.

The cropping is a little tight on the top. I'd like to see extra breathing room above the dog's ears.

My main concern is that I don't like the f/1.4 for this shot. Because it creates bokeh even on the dog's shoulders and beyond, this photo looks to me as though it's been intentionally blurred in PP. I think a higher aperture would make the bokeh seem more realistic.

[sv_goon]

Originally Posted by Laurenbiz

I didn't notice the leaf on the right side of the frame until you said something about it!

The colors are nice and rich. I like the colors.

The cropping is a little tight on the top. I'd like to see extra breathing room above the dog's ears.

My main concern is that I don't like the f/1.4 for this shot. Because it creates bokeh even on the dog's shoulders and beyond, this photo looks to me as though it's been intentionally blurred in PP. I think a higher aperture would make the bokeh seem more realistic.

Thank you for the feedback. I think there might be a little more room in the original to put some space above the ears. I was trying to roughly match how much room she had at the bottom for her paws.

Re: the bokeh, I had that very morning bought a new nifty fifty f/1.4 and was clearly drunk with DoF power. I can see what you're saying about the processed-looking aspect of it. But it is all natural, as they say.

I'll calm down a little bit as I use the lens more and realize not everything needs paper-thin DoF. There is another shot in this set where nothing but the dog's nose is in focus, and even her eyes are blurred out. Pretty funny.

Thanks for your help.

Cheers...

[karen_s]

I didn't notice the leaf either! I wouldn't worry 'bout it too much but if it distracts you, then find the clone tool in your PP software and get rid of it.

I like the colors and you did a great job capturing the blacks.

I agree on the cropping. A little more at top and bottom would help. He's so tight in the frame that the he seems just a bit uncomfortable. The composition does seem just a bit static but not sure what more you can do. The dogs head (what is in focus) is so close to the center of the photo that it just kind of sits there. Have you considered a square crop? Although his body would be centered, his eyes (what's in focus) would be closer to the upper right third inside a square. Just something to try.

This is just a personal preference but I actually like the shallow DOF. I can understand why some may not because it is not what one expects for a shot like this but I kinda like the unexpected. His face is in focus and that is key for getting a shot like this to work. I think it really comes down to what you are going for. This has a bit more an artsy feel but if you were going for a straight up portrait, then getting him all in focus might be the better option.

Great looking dog by the way :-)

[tingeliM]

I really love this photo! She looks a lot like a Lapponian herder =)
Now that you mentioned the leaf, it becomes a little distracting.
Personally I would try out some vintage processing with this, but it doesn't need it if you don't want it. I think it's great like this also. Perfect focus!