My Big Boy In B&W

[Hill Country Hack]

Had the two dogs out to the park on a sunny day in Feb. I decided to take some photos of them in B&W. Here is the best of the group. Gus was laying down in some tallish grass as I started taking piuctures from a standing position. I noticed the tall whispy grass and it came to me. I laid down and shot straight at him.

My hope was to catch his easy going personality.

This is almost straight out of the camera. I sharpened a little and adjusted the shadowing.

I have only been taking photos for 5 months and I am looking to improve my technique. I read the tutorials and then attempt to repeat the lesson.

I am looking for feedback on the composition of the shot. Is the exposure right? Could the cropping be improved and if so, how?

Canon Rebel XS
Apeture priority
1/200
f6.3
ISO-800
WB- Auto
75-300mm/f4
Focal length 230mm
flash did not fire
Evaluative metering

[First Light]

He's beautiful! I'm new & still just learning, too, so anything I say is purely from that perspective.
The eyes. I wish he was looking RIGHT AT ME. That would increase the interest of the shot for me. Very pretty, though.

[Hill Country Hack]

Thanks Firstlight. I do now see how this would really pop if I had his eyes in ultrasharp focus. A golden rule in portrait photography. I was still ignorant of that fact when I took this.

[samutsim]

Originally Posted by First Light

He's beautiful! I'm new & still just learning, too, so anything I say is purely from that perspective.
The eyes. I wish he was looking RIGHT AT ME. That would increase the interest of the shot for me. Very pretty, though.

I am new at this too, but I will attempt to critique it. I too would have loved to see him look straight into the camera and I find the wisps of grass in the foreground a little distracting. But other than that, great shot and gorgeous boy!