Color and Light ?

Please let me know how I can improve these shots color, composition, lighting.... Thanks

Jaida

Things that jump out at me, keeping in mind I'm not a dogtographer:

#1 has too shallow DoF. Sharp front eye, soft nose, sharp chin, soft rear eye - doesn't work for me. Sorry.

#2 is better. Could use a bit more DoF as the tip of the nose is still a bit soft, but my eyes aren't drawn there because it's a darker part of the frame. Camera right side of the dog could use fill from a reflector to lighten the shadow. Watch your crop on the ear... but overall, I like it far more that #1.

Thank you for your opinion and ideas. I am not a dogtographer either just a dog owner and lover they are just easier for me to use as models than people for many reasons.

#1 I am never quite sure when the really shallow DoF is acceptable and when it is not?

#2 Will keep the DoF in mind the next time and I have yet to use any reflectors and will be making one up to test out.

Thank you again for taking the time to share you opinion.

nan3182 wrote in post #13647364
Thank you for your opinion and ideas. I am not a dogtographer either just a dog owner and lover they are just easier for me to use as models than people for many reasons.

#1 I am never quite sure when the really shallow DoF is acceptable and when it is not?

#2 Will keep the DoF in mind the next time and I have yet to use any reflectors and will be making one up to test out.

Thank you again for taking the time to share you opinion.

I too struggle with this. I have been lurking here for a while, looking at tons of threads with images and comments, and from what I have gathered there are generally 2 acceptancies (unfortunately that's not a word, but I'll use it anyway) that I have seemed to pick up on...

- The obvious one is when the subject (the face of a person or animal) is in complete focus and the background falls off. I think your second image is a pretty good example of this - although HeaTransfer mentioned the tip of the nose being soft. I didn't notice it at all until I read the comment, and even after I think the nose is fine, but the dog's mouth ('upper lip' and below) does appear soft compared to the eyes.

- The subject is in focus from the front of its face (e.g. nose), but can begin to fall off near or just behind the ears. I have primarily seen this in portrait photography of females.

Someone please correct if I have picked that up incorrectly.

Cute images - under exposed. If you look at the histogram you will see #1 needs considerably more light, #2 not quite so much. DOF is an issue. I would think the nose to the eyes should be in good focus if you are shooting nose on, which is a tough pose.

They are compelling images though, especially #1. The images do appear to show the intensity and intelligence of the dogs.

And of course, that is just my opinion.

drvnbysound, to me, shallow DoF is a tool, and what is unappealing to me may appeal greatly to somebody else. In creative photography, there are no hard and fast rules ("first learn the rules -- then learn how to break them"), just what "looks good" to the eye.

By this standard, the first photo just doesn't work for me. Too much of the frame is occupied by out of focus elements. It may be the bee's knees for others.

HeaTransfer wrote in post #13654733
drvnbysound, to me, shallow DoF is a tool, and what is unappealing to me may appeal greatly to somebody else. In creative photography, there are no hard and fast rules ("first learn the rules -- then learn how to break them"), just what "looks good" to the eye.

By this standard, the first photo just doesn't work for me. Too much of the frame is occupied by out of focus elements. It may be the bee's knees for others.

Absolutely! I couldn't agree more.

My comment above was just as stated - my overall observation from the majority of those who comment with regard to DOF; certainly no rules implied though.