Puppy Portrait

[rick barclay]

This is my wife's puppy. Her name is Lady. Do you think she has a
future as a model? Do I as a photog? (Ha, ha. Don't answer that.)

http://flashdaddee.com/CRW_0740.jpg

[Radtech1]

You need a deeper depth of field. I want to see the eyes, not the nose.

Rad

[PhotosGuy]

Me, too. But you have to admit, that's a nose with real character! :lol:

[rick barclay]

Thank you. Setting f/stops is still not automatic with me. I'll have to practice more.

[Radtech1]

Thank you. Setting f/stops is still not automatic with me. I'll have to practice more.

What camera are you using. If it is the 10d, there is a button sort of below and to the side of the lens under your left hand. That is the DOF preivew button. Press it and it will stop down the apeture to whatever you have it set at. Lets you see what the DOF will be.

Might have one on the D300 too, but I don't know.

It is such a habit for me to press that before the sutter so I can see what I will be getting.

Rad

[LightHunter]

Is that a puppy on steroids?
I am missing contrast, sharpness and DOF.

[rick barclay]

I'm using a DRebel.

EXIF Data: Shutter Speed 1/1000; Expo. Aperture Priority; f/5.6; ISO 200;
focal length 400mm

Photo was adjusted for contrast. It was sharpened but I forget which method I used.

Puppy has never used steroids. She's six years old, but we call her that
because she's really a lovable old bag. Couple of more years and we'll be
adding her to our pet cemetary, I suppose.

[LightHunter]

Puppy has never used steroids. She's six years old, but we call her that because she's really a lovable old bag. Couple of more years and we'll be adding her to our pet cemetary, I suppose.
With "on steroids" I meant that it's a big puppy.
Regarding the lovable old bag, I understand. I have a 13.5 year old WESTIE.
http://homepage.mac.com/ffack1/.Pictures/Jimmy/3530-Jimmy.jpg

[PhotosGuy]

13.5 year old WESTIE
:cry:

[stopbath]

Try to focus on Lady's eyes. She's a big dog, and even at f5.6 not the whole face is in focus. In this shot, her eyes are in shadow, so a reflector card or fill flash would have worked nicely. Also, since her face is tall, try some shots in portrait mode.

Nice looking 'puppy'... They never do 'grow up' even when they get bigger than you... :?

[rick barclay]

Chalk it up to inexperience. I'm pretty sure I had all seven focus points
active on that shot, but I should have shot at f/11 or so. I think that would have brought in her eyes. Just to give you an example of my learning curve,
yesterday it was sunny and a perfect day for shooting. So out I went, shoot,
shoot, shoot, about 200 pics. They all looked pretty good on my chimp
screen, and well they should have. I never checked my ISO setting--1600.
They're a little noisy, buy hey, at least they weren't underexposed.
:D

[PhotosGuy]

I'm pretty sure I had all seven focus points active on that shot

What you want it one point active on the eye! I'd use MF on something critical.

[rick barclay]

I do use mf, PhotoGuy. I like it better than af when I'm using the 100-400.
Problem was, puppy wasn't exactly posing for me. Animals as well as humans
seem to get a little skittish when I point that big lens at them. My son owns
the cutest little Boxer, but I can't get a picture of him even with my 50mm.
Little bugger won't sit still for a second.

[geisha]

ditto to stopbath... i like portraits that focus on the subjects eyes... gives depth, warmth and personality to the image.