Still working on layout. Any ideas?

[sagelike31]

Hey guys, I'm still working on getting better with layouts.
Here are previous one's:
Can some one tell me why I don't like these spreads
Can some one tell me why I don't like these spreads...PART 2
Can some one tell me why I don't like these spreads...PART 3

I think I'm slowly getting better at this.
Here is another one. I think what I could have done here was get a sharper main shot and some sort of frame to go with the shot overall.
But other than that can't tell what else I should do. Maybe you can help me out.
Thanks in advance.

[wls]

Two immediate thoughts.

1) Show a full side profile of the dog, ideally with his head turned and looking at the camera. This should provide you with a length-wise photo instead of just head shots.

2) Get the camera lower. Way lower. Right now there's variations of looking down on the animal, and that leads to distracting visual distortions.

[sagelike31]

Originally Posted by wls

Two immediate thoughts.

1) Show a full side profile of the dog, ideally with his head turned and looking at the camera.

Easier in theory.
As you can see he is chained up for a couple of those shots.
He is bit hyper. Something like that would have been a bit difficult.
One of the reasons people say never work with animals.

However, I totally agree with everything else though.
Getting lower would have helped tons. One of those things in hindsight.

So, the pictures are not my best work.
But what about the layout itself??

[Saralonde]

I think the thing that bothers me is the title "Man's Best Friend" and then a chained dog and fencing. His face looks friendly enough, but the chain and fence tell me, "He's not my friend, be careful."

[sagelike31]

Originally Posted by Saralonde

I think the thing that bothers me is the title "Man's Best Friend" and then a chained dog and fencing. His face looks friendly enough, but the chain and fence tell me, "He's not my friend, be careful."

That's actually pretty funny.

I can see how that would translate differently for some people.

He really is very gentle. He just has a tendency to be everywhere at once.
So when I got tired of chasing him around I figured I chain him for a couple of shots.

Well I guess back to the drawing board again.

[Saralonde]

Maybe you could just change the title ?

[jiminyClickit]

sagelike31,

Good news is, you are willing to keep trying different aspects of presentation. Better news: presentation has most of the same basic principles as photography.

Man's Best Friend has an odd number of photos, two sizes, neatly arranged. Imagine them as a family portrait, crowding the frame edge, isolating into three areas, but not really connecting. The title even provides one of the barriers, in between sets of twins. Photos are good, just not varied: size of head, angle, lighting, background, expression need more story-telling punch to cover such a broad subject. Title could be placed in upper left or lower right for Introduction or Summation effect. Using a sixth photo as layout background is good; one of a fence in the color of dried blood, not helping overall look.

Do keep trying, look at everything advertising and graphic design has to offer, and think: rule of thirds, composition, light/dark, breathing room, variety - all the reasons a photo is good, applies to a layout as well.

And practice is valuable. Getting others' perspective is valuable. One more source is your public library. Take a day to look through volumes of your favorite photographers, study their placement, choices, titles, etc. It probably resulted from a collaboration with a graphic designer. Stay with it, you are nearer to success every time.

[jiminyClickit]

sagelike31,

Just for example, this may suggest a look that embodies some of the above description: