Humor the new guy... (first post)

[SBK]

I'm new at this, so please pardon any posting faux-pas, I really have exactly zero idea what I'm doing... :) These are pics of our Jack Russell Terrier - Roxy. They're just a couple quickie shots that I liked and wanted to solicit some feedback and ideas on how to improve my skills.

Comments, criticisms, edits, etc. are all very welcome!

The first is intentionally a little dark, to give that "morning" feel (well, it was indeed morning so I guess it makes sense).
Lens: 50/1.8 Mk1
Aperture: f/1.8
Shutter: 1/8s
ISO: 400
http://www.relentlesstech.com/images/roxy_am-01.jpg


The second was a quick shot of Roxy watching some morning-walkers on a nature trail that runs along one edge of our property, looking like she would very much like to be along for the walk! ;)
Lens: 50/1.8 Mk1
Aperture: f/3.2
Shutter: 1/250s
ISO: 400
http://www.relentlesstech.com/images/roxy_window-01.jpg

[tommykjensen]

Welcome to the forum.

The first one is not quite as sharp as the second but I like it anyway. The dog looks kinda cute.

[WepWaWep]

I'll humor you. Excellent emotions in both shots. You can understand the subject's personality from both. First shot is a tad soft, perhaps a little USM(Unsharp mask) to give the eyes a little more distinction.

http://static.flickr.com/26/60073335_b1605cfea8_o.jpg

[SBK]

Tommy: Thank you for the welcome! I agree on the sharpness (or lack thereof) in the first shot. My 50mm is usually pretty decent, it may be due to my poor technique combined with the slow shutter speed? Dunno.

WWW: Thank you for the suggestion and edit. I did apply a little bit of USM before resizing for the web, but the original image is definitely soft. I just really dug the look on her face and the whole feel of "oops, you caught me lying in your bed" that came with the image. I'll make note to experiment more with sharpening techniques and potentially multiple passes in cases like this. Thank you for the feedback and the post.

[tiziano]

I tried processing the first image through a focusing PS plugin called "magic focus".
Here it is:

[tommykjensen]

My 50mm is usually pretty decent, it may be due to my poor technique combined with the slow shutter speed? Dunno.


Yes it is probably because of the slow shutter speed.

[jfrancho]

SBK: gmitchel has some great sharpening scripts here (http://www.thelightsright.com/)that you may find useful.

[SBK]

jfrancho: Thanks for the link. I have been to that site a few times to read the excellent tutorials, but to be honest, I completely missed the scripts/actions available! I'll definitely give them a shot, although I'll also be putting more effort into capturing a sharp image in the first place... :o

[yeleek]

Really like the pose in the first photo - Nice capture. As others have said it appears a bit soft, but I like it none the less. Welcome by the way :-)

[Dimitri_V]

I'm new at this, so please pardon any posting faux-pas, I really have exactly zero idea what I'm doing... :) These are pics of our Jack Russell Terrier - Roxy. They're just a couple quickie shots that I liked and wanted to solicit some feedback and ideas on how to improve my skills.

Comments, criticisms, edits, etc. are all very welcome!

The first is intentionally a little dark, to give that "morning" feel (well, it was indeed morning so I guess it makes sense).
Lens: 50/1.8 Mk1
Aperture: f/1.8
Shutter: 1/8s
ISO: 400
http://www.relentlesstech.com/images/roxy_am-01.jpg


The second was a quick shot of Roxy watching some morning-walkers on a nature trail that runs along one edge of our property, looking like she would very much like to be along for the walk! ;)
Lens: 50/1.8 Mk1
Aperture: f/3.2
Shutter: 1/250s
ISO: 400
http://www.relentlesstech.com/images/roxy_window-01.jpg


Wellcome to the forum.

[Titus213]

Welcome to the forums. Very nice post. They do demonstrate the emotion and the intensity of the animal.

[SBK]

yeleek, dv, titus: Thank you for the nice comments and warm welcome.

Based on the comments and suggestions, I've tried a couple tweaks in Photoshop to see if I can' salvage a better outcome from the first image.

This was my first shot, although I may have hit the levels a bit too hard:
http://www.relentlesstech.com/images/roxy_am-02a.jpg

This second attempt keeps some of the darkness of her face (I like the feel that she's peering out from a hiding spot, she did get caught napping somewhere she's not supposed to be), but lightens the face area a bit and sharpens it significantly over the original post:
http://www.relentlesstech.com/images/roxy_am-02b.jpg

Better, or starting to feel "too processed?" (Thanks to all for the edits and feedback)

[busterboy]

Nice shots Mark. I took this a month or two back and your dog reminded me of this one I found..:)

http://www.timprocter.co.uk/images/various/jack.jpg

[CyberDyneSystems]

Nice shots Mark,. love the first one! :)

[HJMinard]

Cute dog ... cute shot (#1)

[SBK]

CDS, busterboy, HJMinard - Thanks much for the feedback.

Any comments on the re-tweaks of the first shot as shown in post #12? Still trying to decide if I've over-done it or if they look OK. I like the sharpness, but as earlier, I don't mind the softness of the original. Sorta depends on feel and personal preference, I guess.

[JohnnyG]

Welcome to the forum Mark! Your dog seems like a good one!

[Rubi Jane]

Very cute little fella you have there! Awesome expression & intensity in those shots.