Cali - Dang, Black Dogs are Hard!

We have a new addition to the house.

His name is Cali, a 3 part mix: Lab, Rhodesian Ridge-back and Dalmatian. He spent 5 months in the pound, so he is still a little unsure of who he is in relation to us, but he is settling down some.

Marcia keeps asking me to take some photos of him so while we were out taking shots of trees I got a few. Mono conversion was very difficult. I really had to push the contrast to get any texture from him at all. Do you think it is over done?

Rad

5d
70 - 300 DO (70mm)
1/100
f 5.6
asa 800

Provea and Mono Processing

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He has the ears of the Ridge-Back and the black and white
spots of the Dalmatian on the front, just hope
he's got the character of the Lab. Not sure but I think the
Rhodesian is used for Lion hunting in Africa...

Very nice dog

Cali is a stunning dog! How long has he been with you now?

I like processing on the top shot, you can really see the shine on his coat. I would maybe have used a little fill flash to give his fur that pop. The mono is over done for my tastes on this image, but may work differently on an image with more contrasty lighting.

I asked how long you have had Cali as he doesn't look relaxed in the photo, so I'm not really seeing his character come across - but I can see he is still unsure. The composition how he is laying down are spot on I wish wish I had some canine models so co-oprative sometimes! and I would like to see a full size of the photo in your avatar though... I can feel something else from his eyes in that one

Here is an example of the sort of mono I do for my clients. I'm not saying this is how yours should look as everyone has their own style... just my take on doggy mono

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I would rotate them slightly to the left to straighten the trees and horizon