Rocket's Gaze

[photo_goot]

My dog Rocket, January 30, 2011.

Shot with a Fuji FinePix 9100 in native RAW format (RAF). I used a tripod and cable release to snap the pic. Additional EXIF data:

- Shutter time: 1/3 s
- Aperture: F/3.1
- ISO: 400
- F/L: 8.1 mm
- Flash: none
- White Balance: Auto

Post-production was done using GIMP with very minor cropping and using only the National Geographic plug-in (default settings) on my old Dell laptop running a Linux OS. I think the plug-in gave the picture a nice balance between the original color and a b+w/sepia toned picture.

This was one of several shots taken while drinking some beer that evening, watching mindless TV, and then suddenly noticing the photo op being present as Rocket rested on the sleeper sofa. Rocket is our rescue-mutt (supposedly a poodle/pug mix), and, as described by my sister-in-law, has old-wise eyes.

Looking for comments on the overall feel, composition, and coloring of this photo.

[karen_s]

Overall, pretty nice. I like the color, seems to work well here. The eye contact is fantastic and adds a warm feel to the image.

For me, the bright area to the right is a bit distracting, however I don't know that I would crop it off in this case. I mention it more as something to look for in your next shots. Viewers eyes tend to go to the brightest part of an image and if you can find an angle that lessens it or eliminates it, all the better. That said, the eye contact is strong enough for me that the white is only a minor issue and does not ruin the photo. Still a very good shot.

[photo_goot]

Thanks, Karen. I never thought the about white (i.e., bright) upper corner attracting viewers eyes as such, but it sounds reasonable to me. I'll keep that in mind when composing my shots. Great feedback.

I also really enjoyed looking (briefly) at your critter photos on Flickr. Wow! Excellent colors and your 'subjects' were all very interesting and dynamic in their poses and action sequences. Nice work!

[RLucas]

Originally Posted by karen_s

Overall, pretty nice. I like the color, seems to work well here. The eye contact is fantastic and adds a warm feel to the image.

For me, the bright area to the right is a bit distracting, however I don't know that I would crop it off in this case. I mention it more as something to look for in your next shots. Viewers eyes tend to go to the brightest part of an image and if you can find an angle that lessens it or eliminates it, all the better. That said, the eye contact is strong enough for me that the white is only a minor issue and does not ruin the photo. Still a very good shot.

+1 to everything Karen said. I really don't have anything to add here, except that I really like what the NG plug in did with this. I've used it several times myself with portraits, and it look really nice. I usually have to tweak it with mine, but it looks really nice here.

[karen_s]

Originally Posted by photo_goot

I also really enjoyed looking (briefly) at your critter photos on Flickr. Wow! Excellent colors and your 'subjects' were all very interesting and dynamic in their poses and action sequences. Nice work!

Why thank you. I shoot hundreds to get that one post worthy image, probably 200-300 when it comes to birds. They don't take direction well.

And good for you for rescuing a companion. Rocket looks like he is making himself right at home.

[photo_goot]

Well, once again, thanks for the constructive feedback.

Luke, I've found the NG plugin a neat little accessory, but like you, I've found it doesn't always do the job (but what plugin does?). In fact, it doesn't seem appropriate for a lot of the pix I try it on, but there's nothing like wrestling and experimenting with other post-production techniques. Continual learning and experimentation certainly exercises the brain muscle!

Karen, Rocket is like the son we never had! He's a keeper. And on a final note, I remember a quote from the instructor of the only photography course I took back in the early '70s when I was learning to shoot with an old Yashica view-finder 35mm. He wanted us to keep in mind that "...film is cheap...", meaning not that film is (was) financially inexpensive, but that you need to shoot as many pictures as possible to get that one good one, that keeper, out of hundreds that you may shoot but don't stand out for any number of reasons. I still practice what he said to this day (like you). At the very least, digital photography is less stressful on the wallet as far as shooting many, many pix to find that one gem.

Dave

[karen_s]

LOL ... You didn't take that photography class in Illinois did you 'cause we might have had the same teacher. Our classes first assignment was to take 24 exposures (yes, film) of one object. I thought he was nuts but it turned out to be the best lesson ever and I am still using it 30 years later.

[photo_goot]

he was an old (back then) newspaper guy (if I recall correctly). The local fine arts center in Mansfield. Be that as it may, it's timely advice no matter what the source...

Dave