First post! =D

[Gonçalo Pacheco]

Hello, this is my first post since I got introduced to the world of digital photography on this christmas night. I've always liked watching photography works and read a thing or two about the theory of photography, today I got to play a lill' bit around with it and I'm going to start sharing. Here's my first photo.

Please, criticize and bash me hard. Point out every flaw and every thing that's just not right, be like Simon Cowell, I want to learn from my mistakes.

Edit: Taking in suggestion what fellow forumer members said, I'd like if the moderators could move this topic.
The EXIF data is as following:
Canon EOS 450D
f/4
1/40 shutter speed.
ISO - 200
Exposure compensation - 0
25 mm focus extension
No flash.

What I don't like about it? Pretty much everything, I've always been a person who never fully likes what I've done, but that's my nature.
I've tried to capture the cynical look of the dog and I think I kinda did that right, I blured the background with the aperture settings on purpose because I wanted to focus the dog on his own cynical world. I don't think the angle was a good choice, but then again, since it was my first day taking photos, I don't know yet about angles. Also, the whites seem wrong to me, but I'll need your expertise in this to help me out. The only PP done here was adding a 9pixel black border.

[Hayward Taylor]

Hello there and welcome .... looks like your grandmother takes care of him ... he looks healthy .... you'll get more views and comments if you post the actual photo rather than the link ... have fun here and enjoy your new gear

[Gonçalo Pacheco]

There, posted the actual picture instead of the link. Please, criticise it.

And my grandma doesn't take care of him, he's a stray dog that sometimes shows up a few streets down below my grandma's.

[jofrost]

Originally Posted by Gonçalo Pacheco

There, posted the actual picture instead of the link. Please, criticise it.

And my grandma doesn't take care of him, he's a stray dog that sometimes shows up a few streets down below my grandma's.

I think if you want critique on your photo ...perhaps the moderator(s) could move it to that section for you . You may need to provide the EXIF data though , for folks to critique it .

I think it looks great ...but then again , I new at this too !

TFS,
-John

[sHIMUZUKi]

Welcome to DPS
thats a pretty nice stray dog but the picture is even better.
TFS

[peeperita]

Originally Posted by jofrost

I think if you want critique on your photo ...perhaps the moderator(s) could move it to that section for you . You may need to provide the EXIF data though , for folks to critique it .

I think it looks great ...but then again , I new at this too !

TFS,
-John

john is correct....

if you are sincere about a good critique, you will have to take a look at our faq's section on critique rules......add in your exif.....and a question specific to what you like or don't like about your image.....

let me know if you decide to edit this thread and i will gladly move it to the critique section...

peeper

[peeperita]

Gonçalo, great job editing your thread for critique......


i can see you tried to think this through......and for me, that's half the battle.....thinking ahead.....:trying to capture what i have in mind......

you are on the right track with your own critique.....the angle isn't the best.....i might have stepped a little to the left and faced the dog's flank.....keeping most of her body in relative focus.....also, since she seems to be sitting just under the eave, it would have her eyes reflecting more of that brighter exterior light....giving them a bit more depth with reflections.....catchlights, some call them....

her tail seems to be brighter than the rest of the frame again, because of the brighter light from the sky and because her fur is so light there........i'm not sure what to say on how to avoid it.....other than to be aware of the brighter areas in the frame before you click.....either framing them out.....hitting the darker areas with fill flash when possible......or shielding that area from the light with whatever might be handy .....

she has a very expressive look to her face and i can see why you wanted to capture it.....shy, wary, almost afraid......great subject.....

peeper

[Gonçalo Pacheco]

Thank you peeperita.

Work on the angle, be aware of unwanted brightness levels. I'm already learning.

[Gonçalo Pacheco]

I tweaked it a bit, tell me what you think.

[peeperita]

i like the boosted color....and her tail doesn't steal the show as much.....