Chocolate Lab portrait

[mpf777]

Used the dog today for some practice.
Always looking for any in put one might have but my main question would be,
Do you think this works well compositionaly? Especially with the dog basically in the center. How might you have tried to compose differently?

Thanks,
Mike

Model: NIKON D80
ISO: 400
Exposure: 1/80 sec
Aperture: 4.0
Focal Length: 55mm
Flash Used: Yes (flash was off camera about 45 degrees to the dog, shot through umbrella)

[PhotogChic]

Adorable! I can see the umbrella reflection in his eyes! Great shot!

[Daytonj6]

Hey there.

Over all the lighting looks great.

Since I am a real dog lover, and you have a beautiful dog, I would say yes.

In my opinion, any shot with proper lighting (not hard on-board-flashes) and DOP looks good.

The composition can be F***ed with until it fits all the rules in Photography, or you can simply enjoy the fact that you have a great dog (for sitting there ) and a really awesome picture.

hope this helps.... lol


Dayton!

[BryanC]

Composition-wise? For me, it works just fine. A great example of 'what works' being more important than 'the rules'. I like the lighting, especially the eyes. They really stand out, a great expression! Beautiful color of the dog, also...captured well. The little detail I like is that the color of the fabrics are complimentary and not contrasting, blending well with the overall image. Nice work!

[lisa]

I think it works well, beautiful looking dog. Love the lighting and pose.

My only niggle is his/ her harness but thats not a real problem

[windrider86]

AWWWW!!
There is one bright light right over her back that could be removed and maybe make the bedding so there isnt so many textures. I'd love to see just the green part without the checkered part. Did that make sense?
But those are only nit picky things cause otherwise its really a great photo

[mpf777]

Thank You for all the nice comments, they are much appreciated.

lisa - I agree about the harness, when I had the images on the computer and started working with them I noticed it and was thinking it would be nice if I had thought to take the harness off.

windrider86 - I totally understand what you are saying, not sure why I did not think to take one of the pillows away. there are 2 of them there and I had them staked to sweep the floor and ended up leaving them that way.

[Digidave]

Let me start out by saying, beautiful Lab. I use to have one myself, years ago. Miss him a lot!

When I first scrolled down to the picture, something struck me almost instantly. It just didn't seem right & I couldn't put my finger on it. After reading all the comments on your choice of composition, I thought it was just me. So I gave it another look & another look & another look! He is a good looking dog after all! I still don't know why it just seems a bit off to me. The only thing I can think of is that there is no real headroom in the framing & he is looking upward & I think that makes me feel uncomfortable. Almost claustrophobic.

Is it just me? Am I crazy? Be nice now!

[mpf777]

Originally Posted by Digidave

Is it just me? Am I crazy? Be nice now!

We all are probably a little crazy. The frame could possibly use a bit more room so it does not close the dog in so much. This is the 3rd Lab I have had in my life time.

[Echidna]

This is a good portrait of your lab and whilst most the comments are valid, they do not take much away from the photo.

As for the question you asked about composition and your lab being centre, don't worry! After all it is a portrait and regardless if your subject is human or canine they can be centred and take up all or most of the frame.

Too many ppl can't get over the "thirds" rule (it is really a guideline - as it doesn't need to be complied to always).

By the way love the eyes looking up - lab eyes always get me

Enjoy.