Dog Attempt..Please Critique

[havlikn]

Here is my attempt at pet photography. This is my girlfriends black lab. I think the picture was okay, I think it is blown out, especially on the left hand side. Thoughts??

Camera: Canon
Model: Canon EOS 40D
ISO: 100
Exposure: 1/60 sec
Aperture: 5.0
Focal Length: 28mm
Flash Used: No

[dirtydawgpaw]

Great start. Try extending your focal length. I find I take better animal portraits when I'm laying flat on the ground.

[Tajemi]

Originally Posted by dirtydawgpaw

Great start. Try extending your focal length. I find I take better animal portraits when I'm laying flat on the ground.

Can you please explain what you mean about expanding focal length? I am assuming it will give a shallower depth of field?

Love the colours by the way However I think the dogs position would have been nicer the other way or looking at the camera

[Peggyjom]

Love the shot and the colors in the background. This is a big model and not easy getting so much of them in focus.
I have a lab if I attempt to look at him through the viewfinder he is licking at the lens. I have so few pictures of him for this reason. They can't stand not to give a lick if your looking at them.

[crockny]

A longer lens will make your subject stand out more from the background -- 28mm is pretty short. Also the picture was taken in bright sunlight so it looks a bit harsh ... light shade would work better. I like the pose though -- nice dog!

[SydneyLane]

Originally Posted by crockny

A longer lens will make your subject stand out more from the background -- 28mm is pretty short. Also the picture was taken in bright sunlight so it looks a bit harsh ... light shade would work better. I like the pose though -- nice dog!

I agree. I find a longer lens (EX: I use a 70 mm - 300 mm lens) is better when taking animal photography because you can focus more on the animal while the background blurs together more.
The dog is adorable, too =]

[cyber3d]

I love taking dog and cat pics too. I suggest using a polarizing filter when you have black fur in bright day light. It would also pump up the blue sky.

Like others here, I like a shallower depth of field. So, try some shots using as wide an aperture setting as your lens can achieve.

[BrianD]

You could try going black and white on this one...