Dog Pic's....I just want to know if I'm on the right track?

[BarbV]

Hi

I'm not looking for detailed critique. Most of these pics are me experimenting with different modes on my DSLR and new flash.

My main focus right now is basic composition. I can perfect flash, white balance, etc. later. But composition is the key, I think.

These are pic's of my two 10 month old Sheltie's. Getting them to cooperate for pics is a challenge!

Are these mostly oh-hum? Or am I on the right track?

[Hayward Taylor]

Barb - your images are awesome .. composition is great .. like everything else, practice makes perfect

[JGennuso]

I really like the last shot. Nice job

[RussHeath]

It's unusual for beginners to recognize the importance of composition -- you're right, it's everything! A great composition makes even an otherwise boring subject worth looking at. With that in mind, the first and last shot are great work and definitely "on the right track."

[zebthepilot]

nice start... I like the last one, and to a lesser extent the middle one. if this was a critique section I would say that the contrast/brightness is off on the first shot, but like it otherwise. *if this were the critique section*

While you'll find some odd angles that work (i.e. the last one) from above just remember that 90% of the time the better shots are at or below the dogs eye level to make the pics look the best. If you shot down on the dogs it de-emphasizes them. Shooting eye level (i.e. this one or this one ) is ideal while in some cases you can shoot up at a dog for the heroic comic book super dog look.

[allen5838]

i think they look allright but could be a little more dof or sharper but all look good.
al,:

[AnnetteJ]

Number 3 works for me. Number 2 seems to have rather too much dead space around it, the snow is nice, but maybe a bit less of it and thus more of the dogs. For the others you need to consider the effects of cutting off little bits of the edges of the dogs [lovely dogs by the way!] such as tips of ears, paws etc. Sometimes it works, if there are bits missing on three or four sides of the shot in order to get close up - I think your shot 5 is an example of where it works fine, but if it is just a little bit lost from the bottom but with room to spare on the top then it is poor framing, like your fourth shot which is otherwise a lovely pic. I think you just about get away with it on pic one as it does not intend to show all of the dogs and the dark ear is a bit lost in the dark bg, but I'd still maybe prefer to see the whole ear. Of course with an active subject like young dogs this will happen! But if you leave enough space round all the edges you can always crop in later if the resolution is adequate, like on your snow shot. They are a great subject and keep practising, you will get some really nice shots of them to hang on your walls!

[Mavin]

Very nice:-)

[Samanax]

Originally Posted by BarbV

Are these mostly oh-hum? Or am I on the right track?

You are on the right track with the last image...the others are sort of ho-hum because of the centering of the subjects.

You also want to try to shoot from their eye level instead of shooting down at them.

The DPS web site has a nice tutorial on taking pictures of pets: How To Photograph Pets

And of course it has Digital Photography Composition Tips

Originally Posted by BarbV

Getting them to cooperate for pics is a challenge!

Yes, getting your dogs to cooperate for pictures is quite a challenge (they basically don't). We have 2 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and most of the good pictures are mostly by luck as they rarely keep still...unless they're sleeping.

[BarbV]

Thanks for the feedback!

It's tough getting these pups to cooperate! Everytime I bring out the camera, the silly pups start to hover at my feet...."Pick me, pick me! I have to move fast, therefore, I get stuck with either some blur or cut off parts of their anatomy. If I try to get eye-level, they just trot up and stick their face into the camera. If I had a macro lens, that could work, I suppose!

Or perhaps I just need better behaved dogs!