Dog Portrait

Looking for some critique on this dog portrait. Cheers

Cute doggie, and a good composition, exposure, but the dof is too shallow. Its a problem with dogs with 'long' faces - get the eyes in focus, nose is blurred. Next time, narrow the aperture.

I agree. Good example of how to overdo thin DOF. I would have been tempted to shoot this (if it is uncropped) at f/8-11, but bringing the background into much better focus may detract from the shot, too. Not many choices when you are shooting down on the subject, and the background is so close. But really no other way to get them sad puppy eyes, either.

Thanks for the replies. The eyes are in focus though, aren't they?

CaPpedDoG wrote in post #17793048
Thanks for the replies. The eyes are in focus though, aren't they?

Yes, they are.

Another method for this type of shot, is two shots, quickly focus on nose then eyes. Or literally just slowly focus through the face, nose to eyes (manually), taking images with fast FPS. Then focus stack.

Very best,

CaPpedDoG wrote in post #17793048
Thanks for the replies. The eyes are in focus though, aren't they?

Yes but soft nose and ears take away fromthe sharp eyes.

I don't know, I'm really digging the shallow DOF here. I feel like the dog is looking into my soul. Really like it.

a good suggestion but having 3 german shepherds I know a shot like that is impossible simply because dogs don't sit still for more than half a second. Might just have to sacrifice the bokehlicious background and stop down

Check out "Dog Breath Photography" on Facebook. I just watched her training video on Kelbyone.com and she is fantastic! Worth the price of a membership just to watch her video.

Thanks everyone, appreciate the advice!

ThreeHounds wrote in post #17794013
I don't know, I'm really digging the shallow DOF here. I feel like the dog is looking into my soul. Really like it.

Thanks! That's why I liked the photo so much

SJC from VT wrote in post #17800817
Check out "Dog Breath Photography" on Facebook. I just watched her training video on Kelbyone.com and she is fantastic! Worth the price of a membership just to watch her video.

I found her photography a couple of weeks ago and it's so awesome! I read that she had a training video on Kelbyone and am thinking about getting a membership just for that. Will probably be buying a 16-35mm this week too!

ThreeHounds wrote in post #17794013
I don't know, I'm really digging the shallow DOF here. I feel like the dog is looking into my soul. Really like it.

I agree. I can understand the suggestions of getting the nose in focus, but I don't think it detracts from the photo either...

I just commented in your other thread that I would prefer to see the nose and ears in focus. Just to show my complete objectivity and consistency, I'm going to say that it is less of an issue with this shot - the image works. I think that the angle of the face is slightly different in the 2 photos - in this one, the camera angle is higher so that the nose is a little further from the eyes . . . or perhaps I am looking for something to justify my different feeling about this shot . . .

Picture made it on Flickr Explore! Not exactly sure what that is but it's getting quite a few favourites

I think they are just picked at random...but congratulations! You will get lots of views that way. You should share a link to your Flickr.

Everything that could and should be said about potential improvements has been said and I agree with the comment about the too narrow DOF, so let me comment about a couple of things you did well. Many people, when shooting animals, fail to get light into their eyes and the eyes are where the "life" is. You got enough light in this pooch's eyes to show their color, and add some sparkle and life as well. The ears, even though out of focus, add to the personality of the image, and I love the sharp texture of the fur. Excellent.