Two Portraits

[Meerkat17]

Please give me a critique on these two pictures, don't just say "nice photos/pretty pictures" because you like dogs, I can get that from the "Shared Photos" section, I'm really looking for a hard critique.

Photographing these two is not and easy task and because they are my dogs I don't seem to be able to get past the subject and work out what might be wrong with them and what will be the best way of treating them in post-processing. All I've done so far is the basics, a little colour, contrast and curves.

Are the backgrounds too busy? Too green?

Should I clone out the dots of clover around the muzzle of the second picture?

http://www.btinternet.com/~David.Lewins/g5/images/samba0026C.jpg
Shutter speed: 1/50 sec, Aperture: 4.5
Exposure mode: Manual, Flash: Off
Metering mode: Evaluative, Drive mode: Single frame shooting
ISO: 50, Lens: 7.2 to 28.8mm, Focal length: 25.1mm
Subject distance: 1.02 m


http://www.btinternet.com/~David.Lewins/g5/images/samba0035.jpg
Shutter speed: 1/80 sec, Aperture: 4.5
Exposure mode: Manual, Flash: Off
Metering mode: Evaluative, Drive mode: Single frame shooting
ISO: 50, Lens: 7.2 to 28.8mm, Focal length: 15.8mm
Subject distance: 0.85 m

[spockling]

I'm new here so bear with me......
I find the focus is off just """"that much. To me the fur on the top of the ears should be more defined. They seem fuzzy. Also, I think the background is a little bit too busy. Maybe tone down the clover?

[Elbee19]

Of the two I like the first one best. The composition and capture showing feeling are the things I like best. The sparkle in the pooches eyes is very good too!

After reading Spockling's reply and looking at the pics, I agree that the second photo would look better without all of the white flowers or having them toned down.

Very good pics though!

[PhotosGuy]

Eyes look sharp.
Dogs look alert.
Lotsa grass! What more could I ask for?

I like them. I'd prefer a less busy backgrgound if these were to be "Dog Portraits", & would like the dogs to have a bit of breathing room in front of them.

Are the backgrounds too busy? Too green?
I'd (at least) burn in the corners, but would probably have tried to shoot them against a darker background. Maybe shaded grass?

I'm only picking these nits 'cause you asked us to pick them. Nice shots!

[shniks]

I really like the backgrounds, and the expressions on their faces.
The first one looks like it needs a little more contrast - play around with the levels, to get the black a bit more defined. I dont know if its just me but I think I can see a hint of blue or purple fringing in the flare in the eye, I think it would look better if you removed it.
I think the second looks pretty good overall. Both look a little soft, but I think that may be because you resized them for the web. If the originals look the same then sharpen them a bit.
I can also see you used an aperture of 4.5. Maybe next time use 2.0 or 3.0 if in zoom(you have a G5 dont you?) because then the background will blur more. But I know its hard to set it up perfectly, I can never get my dogs to pose at all!
Overall these are really nice dog portraits that just need a bit of tweaking in photoshop.

[Calis]

Hi David,

I'm pretty much with the others regarding softnes - they do need some sharpenig. I also agree that the background could do with being more blurred - I think that would sort out the issue with the clover dots round the muzzle in No.2. I would fix that in post processing by carefully selecting the dogs and adding a slight gausian blur (2.0?) to the rest of the image. You could then also just sharpen the dogs. Contrast could do with a boost on both & I would probably take the backround saturation down a tad (5%?).

My only other point is personal - these are fine formal portraits, but for me, as with children I prefer a less formal look to canine portraiture. For example here is one of my dogs in an informal setting. I know that the picture isn't perfect - the fountain is a significant distraction from the dog, but I do like the way he is captured in a very natural pose.

http://www.pbase.com/image/31731204.jpg

[Conk]

I like the photos just as they are. The clover isn't that big of a deal. Maybe a tighter dof to blur the clover. The only other thing I would like to have seen is both the dogs eyes in #2.
Calis
Great shot of the pooch. No distractions at all. :lol:

[Meerkat17]

Thanks everyone for your imput - I think the softness is due to the reduction in size and also the low res' that I saved them at to post on the forum - here's two others which are at a higher res' and have also been sharpened, please let me know if these are any sharper - I've also done some of the other suggestions such as burning in the corners, etc.

http://www.btinternet.com/~David.Lewins/g5/images/samba0026C_tint.jpg

http://www.btinternet.com/~David.Lewins/g5/images/samba0035_tint.jpg

As I tend to do these days, I always try my images in B&W - these two were created using 2 Hue & Saturation Layers and instead of using -100 Saturation I used -80 which gave me the desaturated background - as the dogs are black and white anyway, I feel its helped to eliminate some of the blue cast which was on their coats although I had altered the blue curve slightly too.

I'll deal with the background issues later

Phil,
I do have a few informal ones of the dogs and I do like capturing them when they are doing things which they shouldn't be doing, or just relaxing, etc. This session started when they became interested in a farmer herding cattle in the next field - I liked their expressions and whilst the farmer held their interest and I snapped away.

BTW Great capture of your own dog - I have a similar one but not at a fountain but at a cattle trough! Not half as good as yours though!

Thanks again everyone.
Regards
David

[MattSEG]

My first post, so bare with me. Also I just got the camera not even a week ago.

...I'm a fan of candids, and this was one of my first attempts with the continuous fire mode.
http://www.swspeed.com/matt/doggie.jpg

[shniks]

The second lot of photos are much sharper, they look great.

[Meerkat17]

Thanks for the feedback Shniks - most of the softness was caused by converting for the web at low res'.

If anyone is interested other shots of the dogs can be seen at:


http://davidlewins.fotopic.net/p5858265.html

Thanks again everyone for your imput.

David

[lomond]

Hi David,
I've been dropping in on your web sight from time to time because I have been impressed with some of your work. I have no doubt the softness mentioned is due to compression. I have also no doubt that one of the most endearing shots in your " two companion" collection is "Sam & Simba @ Northumberland".
That picture could sell.
Regards.
Cameron.