My French Bulldog Puppy

[Weird Girl]

First, I am not sure how to get my picture on here the way it should be- larger in the thread. Anyway, I am wanting to know if the vignetting on this picture is distracting. I have one without it but wanted to see what others think. Also, does it look like any other picture of a puppy or do you view it as artistic, creative, and can you sense a mood? I am fairly new to actually knowing what I am looking for in my pictures so feel free to point anything out!

Camera: Nikon D5000
Exposure Time: 1/125 sec
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 55mm
Editing done in Lightroom

[Weird Girl]

I promise I won't bite people- just lay it on me

[karen_s]

I like it. Very cute puppy and love that one eye. Perspective is awesome and I like the coloring.

The vignetting however is a bit much for me. Not wrong or anything, just kinda heavy for my taste. Thing is, I think the photo is pretty interesting on it's own and I'm not sure it needs the vignette to save it.

[Weird Girl]

Awesome thank you!

[Jim Poor]

IMO, vignetting should appear to be a product of light control and not so uniformly shaped. Aside from that, you have a bit too much shadow on the right side of the frame to begin with, which is worsened by the vignette.

I'd love to see the whole frame shifted to put the dog on the left side looking toward the right.

[Weird Girl]

Ok glad to hear it, my thoughts exactly after learning so much more in the month it's been since I took the picture. Others like it but they also don't know what they are looking for. Anyway, I went ahead and posted another photo (one that I, as of the current date, feel is much better) to see what you think

[Jim Poor]

Much nicer. I'd still like to see a bit more light from the right of frame. Either a reflector or a low power fill flash. Not to eliminate all the shadow, just open it up a hair.

[karen_s]

I'm with Jim on the light. It's a more portrait style shot and I kinda expect to see all that face and It's rather hidden in the shadows. Some of the blacks of his face blend into the blacks of his body. You just need some light to get the definition and detail back.

If you have an off camera flash you can bounce, that would help a great deal. A reflector would work too. I sometimes use a large piece of white foam core to reflect window light when I can. Of course, my dogs would rather rip the foam core to shreds cause that's a lot more fun that sitting still, but it is a cheap option and if the dogs mess it up, it's only $2.

[Weird Girl]

Great! Yes, I definitely need to get some reflective material asap! I agree with wishing his whole face could be seen. I took these about a month ago and just re-did some editing to make them better but I would really like to take some new shots of him to get the lighting right! Thanks guys for your comments