Same "decrepit" dog...different angle! ;)

[poppetme]

Ok...so I posted a picture a couple of days ago...of my family dog and had some feedback from people that was very useful. And also feedback that made me smile with the humour from the poster! (Hence the title)

Here is the same dog shot from a different angle...I'm fully aware that this is more of a snapshot than a portrait but I want to know if this is what was meant by taking it from a different angle. A couple of posters commented on the fact that the last picture was taken from the "ass" end.

I've tried to get focus on the eyes and I've cropped a little to try and get the whole...rule of thirds thing...

So...I want to know...

1) Composition ok? I know that it's more of a snapshot...but it's still very very early days..
2) Black and White better than colour?
3) Someone commented on "highlights under the chin" concerning exposure on a previous shot...have I got the right exposure here.
4) Any advice...

As you may tell from the constant posting...I'm trying to gain as much understanding as I can before I start my course in a few weeks...so any advice will be good!

Poppet x




Camera: Canon 550D
Exposure: 0.017 sec (1/60)
Aperture: f/5.0
Focal Length: 40 mm
ISO Speed: 800
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: On, Fired

[ednorm]

Advice? Well judging from this shot and going by the fact you are from london I would say to take your all your camera gear and throw it into to the Thames river and be done with photography forever! LOL !!, I am only joking, this is a nice shot, I like it. Its focus draws attention to the dogs face and eyes, seems to show its a very calm lovable pooch, with a great personality. I like the fact it is in B&W too. It works for me. Nice capture.

ed

[karen_s]

1. Yes. I think the composition looks pretty good. It's bit of a tight crop by the ears but I mainly say that because if you were to print and frame it, that teeny bit of space would probably be covered by the edge of a frame.

2. I like the black and white. I don't see the color version but am thinking that would look just fine too.

3. Looks a bit dark overall. Some of the blacks are filled in losing some detail and the whitest whites look a bit grey. Black and white dogs can be pretty tough as far as exposure. If I take a picture of multi colored dog like this (or anything high contrast for that matter), I do find I have to tinker a bit more in PP. If you shoot in RAW, you will be amazed how many details are in the image for you to work with. You can do some with a JPEGs too, RAW just give you more to work with.

4. I do like this shot a bit better than the last (although the other was pretty nice too). You got some nice catchlights in the eyes and focus looks pretty good. I like the depth of field too, you seemed to get the eyes and nose well focused while letting the background fall off a bit.

Overall, much better than an average snapshot. You have a good eye so just keep working on exposure. Good luck in the class!

[poppetme]

Loved the...throw the camera in the Thames comment! Hee hee.

Thanks for replying and for the lovely comments...I've pulled the crop back a bit to get a little space by the ear and also tried to make the blacks less. Does it make a difference?

Hopefully the course goes well and I'll find out a little more about RAW then...

Poppet x

[candidrachel]

I really like the pose. It almost looks like he's smiling at the camera. Lovely shiny eyes and great detail on the nose.

Good job!

[poppetme]

Just realised that I didn't actually add the 2nd edit with "less crop" and toning down the blacks.

Is this better?

Poppet x

[JFSanders]

Now that is a lovely pooch. Much better this go round. A good character shot/portrait. You are a fast learner! Jim

[poppetme]

Thanks Jim.

Poppet x

[Dodge]

You can't throw stuff into the Thames, it just lays on top or bounces off

Another great B/W shot Poppet. Only thing I'd pick up on, is that you may have got the focus sharpest on his nose rather than his eyes. They don't quite look as sharp as they could be to me. (The lasses could be right though, I'm a bit bleary eyed myself this morning).
You'll know when you get them bang on as they will really be very striking. Sometimes it's easier to manual focus to get them spot on, as it's very easy, esp with dogs, for the nose to get in the way and grab the focus.

The Tyne, now that's a river

[poppetme]

Too true about the Thames!

I can see what you're saying about the nose too...

Finally finished reading my manual and the two books I bought and think I have a better idea as to get the focus in the right place now. Off to experiment!


Poppet x