First picture taken with a DSLR

So, this is the first picture taken by me with any DSLR. I got a great deal on a T3 and figured that it would be fun to try photography out as a new hobby, especially since I have two little kids.

Shot in AE; f/4; 1/25; ISO800. Standard kit lens was used. I feel I should have put the focus on his eyes instead of his muzzle.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/nGUu​id

Congratulations! Looks better than the first one I took.

Then again, I like dogs better than trees.

It does look good and your hunch on the focus is spot on. If the eyes are in the shot chances are that's where the focus should be.

Welcome to the forums - your image is a great start to a great hobby and a rewarding career.

Nice one! Good job !

Lovely dog, and yes focus on the eyes. With dogs that is even more important than with people (as dogs have longer muzzles than the average gal or girl..
You already got the right "feel" in going down and shoot at dog level instead of looking down on them.
Dogs are very rewarding subjects for shooting. Try to catch the dog running towards you( high shutter speed: 1/1000 or the like).

The camera does seem to love the nose. I take a lot of pictures of seals being rehabilitated by a non-profit. They are not unlike dogs in that the nose is at the tip of a long snout. And the camera always thinks that the nose is the most important part. So I use one focus point and aim it at the eyes. Then recompose. It's not easy to do if your subject is active.

I wish my first picture had been that good. Yes focus for the eyes every time and you will not go wrong. Download the manual from the manufacturer and READ the whole thing with the camera in one hand and the book in the other. Learn every knob and button on the thing and what it does. Have fun and remember taking photos is like playing golf, there is no perfect shots, not even if it is a hole in one.

OkieGentleman wrote in post #16934542
......... Learn every knob and button on the thing and what it does. Have fun and remember taking photos is like playing golf, there is no perfect shots, not even if it is a hole in one.

Excellent advice: and just like playing golf: practice, practice and practice again. The beaut of digital cameras is: you don't waste film so you can snap away and away...

Two children and a Doodle you cannot go wrong for subject matter!

Look forward to seeing more of your work in the future.

IMAGE LINK: http://s574.photobucke​t.com …old/IMG_0237cop​y.jpg.html

Everyone, Thank you for the words of encouragement!

I have already gone through the manual and tried every feature, and now I just need to learn how to make them all work together.

Here's another one I took outside... I was trying to get the reflection of the orange Duplo block in focus, but found that to be difficult... any tips?

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/nKvg​Mt