Is anyone watching?by
ladpupmoeComment by rjkstesch: Greetings from the Critique Club.
This is a fun, unique image that meets the challenge well and does it with humor. You've paid attention to some details that really added to the image. The doggy cards, the color choices and the hat all work well together. Your lighting and angle of shot kept this from being an outstanding piece, instead of a solid snapshot.
Technical Quality: Youv'e got a good focus that allows the viewer to see the cards and the eyes of your "cheater." Your dog has a small catchlight in his/her eye, but more would have helped. Your black background helps keep the viewer's attention clearly on the action. The foreground tile clearly ties the scene to a floor, yet the colors work well with the overall feel. Perhaps, cloning out the tile seams would place the attention back on the main action.
The lighting is mostly flat, but there is a strong shadow on the dog's face. It looks like this is an in-camera flash shot. Getting your flash off camera and on an angle might help. Also, bouncing the flash and/or adding a reflector on the opposite side would add to the lighting effect.
Composition: The composition is clear with little/nothing to distract the eye. It feels visually balanced with elements of equal visual weight in top and bottom. The angle of the shot feels high, as though we are looking down on the shot instead of being involved in it. An even lower shooting angle might have helped. I also feel that the crop may have been too tight. The areas of most interest (dog's eyes and cards) are forced off of the 1/3 lines by the crop and is pushing my eyes out of the shot too. The angle of the cards helps create a leading line to the dog's face.
Emotional Appeal: You have used humor to set your image apart. From the comments received, you've appealed to the viewers even though you chose a well used idea (cards up the sleeve) which caused other photographers difficulty. Your dog's expression is fun and you've even caught a very decent "poker face."
Overall impressions: You've got a strong image that needed different lighting in order to give it a WOW. I've loved the idea, execution of the idea, and the opportunity to study your shot. You've got many outstanding images in your portfolio, especially those where the lighting is working with you.
I've enjoyed the chance to share my thoughts and ideas. I hope they provide some help.
Photographer found comment helpful.
