Dog Portrait

[scootermcq]

Camera Nikon D300
Exposure 0.004 sec (1/250)
Aperture f/1.4
Focal Length 50 mm
ISO Speed 200

I shot this with an ND8 filter to get the aperture down to 1.4 to defocus the background. Subject lit with a beauty dish camera right.

My question is being a really cloudy, hazy & overcast day the sky is just a blah, grey object. Does this take away from the portrait for you?

I am as always open to any other critique or points you may have.

[karen_s]

Well, I really like the shot. Great pose and I love the effect of the filter. Love the composition and setting.

Although It does look a bit flat with the gray sky and all, that doesn't kill it for me. She (he?) is beautiful enough with a great pose that It kinda makes up for it. About the only thing I might try (and I mean try 'cause it might not be better) is to dodge some of the whites in the subject and maybe experiment with a slight boost with the saturation slider.

Overall though, very, very nice.

[scootermcq]

Thanks Karen.... I just hate the blah background, my wife likes the image as is, mabe some dodging will help. I might also just wait and see if we ever get sunshine again and go redo it.

[FranDaMan]

maybe warm up the tones on the dog a bit in PP ?
the grey background doesnt bother me at all to be honest. Brings out the dog really nicely.
The rest is nicely framing the dog.

[Jim Poor]

Lovely.

The background doesn't bother me at all. I really like the composition with the branches intruding from the left.


Mayhaps a warming gel on the flash would make a nice touch.

[scootermcq]

Originally Posted by Jim Poor

Lovely.

The background doesn't bother me at all. I really like the composition with the branches intruding from the left.
.

Thanks Jim.... means a lot coming from our resident pet guru.