Cooper

[crashxbangxx]

Hey everyone! I'm new (not only to the website, but also to DSLR photography) and would love some ideas/critiques of my pictures. I've done some photoshopping but I'm no pro at it. I recently visited my family in PA and went picture-crazy and this is one of my favorites, but does anybody have any ideas to make it better (photoshopping now or even in pictures in the future)?



Thanks,
Caley

[KagoGrl]

Hi and welcome! It's a cool shot!! For the shot you have now: if you're trying to keep the background in the picture, but not the focus I'd crop it a little. Either to just remove the Christmas lights that are jutting into the picture, or (my personal preference) all the way to just inside the door frame. That would keep the dog the main focus of the image. And I would crop, or edit out the top of the shot - I don't like the black spot.

If you were to take the exact same shot again I'd try to catch both of the dog's eyes. Aside from that it's a good shot. Neat perspective. I just find the background a little too distracting right now. But I can definitely see why you like the shot.

Were you trying to catch it like that, or did you just happen to catch it?

Your other option (assuming your image size will accommodate it) you could always crop really close to the dog and just make it a full frame portrait of him.

[matthewchj]

crashxbangxx, welcome.

Not bad! I love the way the dog is looking at the camera! However I do agree that the background is a little distracting, and could be cropped out.

[dloumakis]

Hi crashxbangxx,
I gotta agree with the two above, I think I would crop everything but the dog. Cute shot. Keep experimenting, thats the best way to learn and improve. I have found this group to be great for feedback, ideas, and a plethera of perspectives. Enjoy!

[clockdoc]

Hi crash and welcome to the group. Cute shot. I can't anything more to what has already been offered. Keep shooting and posting. I'll be happy to help where I can.

[crashxbangxx]

Hey guys, sorry this is a little late, but thanks! I cropped it like you guys said and I liked it--my only problem is that I hate to leave things half-cropped in a picture, like people in the background. Does that take away from a picture at all, or is it just me?
Kagogirl, this shot was actually really lucky for me. =] I was trying to get a shot of the people in the background and my cousin's dog just kind of showed up in the shot. Talk about good timing. Hehe.
-Caley

[mikem12188]

Except for the lights on the side and the black spot on top, I like it the way it is. Maybe if you changed the title to "Hangin' with Mr. Cooper?"