America's Pet
by dpatterson

Comment:
This is not really a portrait.
I think the subject is just a part of the overal image rather than dominating it.
Here is the wikipedia definition:
A portrait is a painting, photograph, sculpture, or other artistic representation of a person, in which the face and its expression is predominant. The intent is to display the likeness, personality, and even the mood of the person. For this reason, in photography a portrait is generally not a snapshot, but a composed image of a person in a still position. A portrait often shows a person looking directly at the painter or photographer, in order to most successfully engage the subject with the viewer.

I'm ready, I'm ready!
by gmink

Comment:
Not really a portrait.
Here is the wikipedia definition:
A portrait is a painting, photograph, sculpture, or other artistic representation of a person, in which the face and its expression is predominant. The intent is to display the likeness, personality, and even the mood of the person. For this reason, in photography a portrait is generally not a snapshot, but a composed image of a person in a still position. A portrait often shows a person looking directly at the painter or photographer, in order to most successfully engage the subject with the viewer.

I like the picture composition in that the dog in nicely placed in the intersection of the 1/3 lines in the bottom right of the picture, however the cropping of the hunter turns this photo into a snapshot.
The end of the toes are cropped off, the gun is cropped, and the flourescent colour of the vest draws your attention from the actual subject.
If the hunter was in say green, and in the background rather than the foreground then I think this picture could have done better.

Bath Time
by zelly

Comment:
Probably not doing so well as it is not really a portrait, and it is a little dark... and it is out of focus
Here is the wikipedia definition of a portrait:
A portrait is a painting, photograph, sculpture, or other artistic representation of a person, in which the face and its expression is predominant. The intent is to display the likeness, personality, and even the mood of the person. For this reason, in photography a portrait is generally not a snapshot, but a composed image of a person in a still position. A portrait often shows a person looking directly at the painter or photographer, in order to most successfully engage the subject with the viewer.

Is This Household Overwhelmed?
by kewzoo

Comment:
Probably not doing so well as it is not really a portrait.
Here is the wikipedia definition of a portrait:
A portrait is a painting, photograph, sculpture, or other artistic representation of a person, in which the face and its expression is predominant. The intent is to display the likeness, personality, and even the mood of the person. For this reason, in photography a portrait is generally not a snapshot, but a composed image of a person in a still position. A portrait often shows a person looking directly at the painter or photographer, in order to most successfully engage the subject with the viewer.

Back Up Alarm Clock
by ksh_71

Comment:
Probably not doing so well as it is not really a portrait or a pet
Here is the wikipedia definition of a portrait:
A portrait is a painting, photograph, sculpture, or other artistic representation of a person, in which the face and its expression is predominant. The intent is to display the likeness, personality, and even the mood of the person. For this reason, in photography a portrait is generally not a snapshot, but a composed image of a person in a still position. A portrait often shows a person looking directly at the painter or photographer, in order to most successfully engage the subject with the viewer.

Patience
by emfisher

Comment:
Probably not doing so well as it is not really a portrait.
Here is the wikipedia definition of a portrait:
A portrait is a painting, photograph, sculpture, or other artistic representation of a person, in which the face and its expression is predominant. The intent is to display the likeness, personality, and even the mood of the person. For this reason, in photography a portrait is generally not a snapshot, but a composed image of a person in a still position. A portrait often shows a person looking directly at the painter or photographer, in order to most successfully engage the subject with the viewer.

Not for joy, but for treats..
by xTHRICEx

Comment:
Not really a portrait.
Here is the wikipedia definition of a portrait:
A portrait is a painting, photograph, sculpture, or other artistic representation of a person, in which the face and its expression is predominant. The intent is to display the likeness, personality, and even the mood of the person. For this reason, in photography a portrait is generally not a snapshot, but a composed image of a person in a still position. A portrait often shows a person looking directly at the painter or photographer, in order to most successfully engage the subject with the viewer.

L'Innocence
by macrothing

Comment:
I just love this photo, but hate the low contrast treatment you have given it.

King of the Castle
by Equiessence

Comment:
Looks like a fun day, but is probably getting low marks for not meeting the challenge.

Here is the wikipedia definition of a portrait:
A portrait is a painting, photograph, sculpture, or other artistic representation of a person, in which the face and its expression is predominant. The intent is to display the likeness, personality, and even the mood of the person. For this reason, in photography a portrait is generally not a snapshot, but a composed image of a person in a still position. A portrait often shows a person looking directly at the painter or photographer, in order to most successfully engage the subject with the viewer.

Back Off Bub! I Quit
by Cboydrun

Comment:
The catch light in the middle of the eye here gives the impression of on camera flash. On a second appraisal I can see that it isn't as the light is a little softer, however appears to still be coming from pretty close to the camera.
I would try moving the light a little more to the left and if you have a reflector either use this to fill the shadows, or try to reflect some light back onto the top of the head. This will help create more separation of the dark fur against the dark background as they seem to be blending together a little.
Black backgrounds are very difficult as they tend to create a vacuum of nothingness, and dark objects against a black background tend to blend in. You are almost better with a white background, which when unlighted will become grey, or a plain coloured background.
I think what also doesn't help this image is the blanket, which gives the impression of a snapshot when the dog was in its basket or bed. As this challenge is defined as Pet Portrait, then in my opinion a more studio like (Interpreted as sterile) background would probably be more fitting.