Prancing Dog

[Steve Atkins]

Took this photo of one of my dogs out on a walk in the woods today. Thing is i had the camera set to capture her shaking water off once she came out of the river, but took this anyway. I deliberately desaturated it because i wanted to stay away from the colour and focus on the tones.

What id like to know is, does this feel like just a generic photo of a dog, or do you think it is unique in some way? Either way how could it be improved/what hinders it?



EXIF:

ISO: 3200
Aperture: f5.6
Shutter Speed: 1/2500
Focal Length: 55mm
Mode: Manual Exposure

Canon EOS 550d
EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

[karen_s]

Just call me non comital but I think it lies somewhere in between generic and unique. I'd call it above generic because of her great pose with two legs off the ground. For some reason, that kinda grabs me. The composition is pretty nice too as you left room for her to look and move into. There again, better than snapshot. You got a decent exposure on a black dog and that ain't so easy sometimes.

What kinda pulls it down into the middle, for me anyway, is the point of view. First, IT IS NOT WRONG TO SHOOT FROM YOUR EYE LEVEL, but, shooting at the dogs eye level often lets the viewer see the animal in a new and intimate way. (I have been seen laying on my belly in goose poo to get shots of my dogs at the lake. I bought a nice rain suit to keep me stain free. )

As for color, it kinda works. It does help separate your dog from the water. It doesn't really add pizzaz, but it works.

Beautiful girl by the way.

[Steve Atkins]

Thanks for the feedback Karen!

I definitely agree about the eye level now that i think about it. It was kind of a desperate effort at the time though because i was running after her trying my best to get a picture of her shaking the water off, but as you probably know this is not an easy feat. In the end this was the only good picture that i got, but i can see how it would benefit the shot to be at her eye level. It is definitely something i will look out for from now on!

I shall tell her that

[karen_s]

Originally Posted by Steve Atkins

I shall tell her that

LOL! I hope she listens better than my two.

And the more you take her out to the water for photographs, the more you will learn about her routine. I found my dogs to be quite predictable and that makes being ready with the camera a lot easier. It takes time so just practice a lot. I'm sure she won't mind too much as long as she's getting trips to the lake

[OceanHorizons]

Aw, your dog is just gorgeous!

Originally Posted by karen_s

You got a decent exposure on a black dog and that ain't so easy sometimes.

+1! I have a mostly black dog, and I find it pretty tricky!

I think karen_s gave some great feedback. I'm new to photography as a serious hobby, so take my critique with a grain of salt

Compositionally, I wonder if this picture would be better if there was more of the lake to the left and to the top of the frame? In terms of the rule of thirds, if your dog's head was near the lower right third of the frame I think that the picture might be more interesting - and it would give a better sense of the scope of the lake.

The desaturated look works for me - I like the mood it creates.

[Steve Atkins]

Thanks again Karen!

And thanks Ocean! Unfortunately as i mentioned before this was a bit of an awkward picture that turned out well, but usually i try my best to frame with the rule of thirds in mind. I m new to photography as well, but im learning a lot, especially thanks to the helpful feedback from people like you guys on here!

[OceanHorizons]

Originally Posted by Steve Atkins

Unfortunately as i mentioned before this was a bit of an awkward picture that turned out well, but usually i try my best to frame with the rule of thirds in mind.

I hear you! I find it really hard to think about framing when trying to get shots of my dog in action.

(Good advice, Karen, about watching for patterns of behavior!)