Critique of dog photo needed - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0 L IS

01/12/2005 01:48:57 AM · #1

I need a critique of the above photo. What could be changed? I like the composition, but there's just something about it that I don't like. My main complaint is the coloring and lighting, but the client seemed to prefer that style. Any suggestions on what PS could do for it?

suemack

Canon EOS-20D

01/12/2005 02:21:03 AM · #2

Very sweet expression on the pup's face. Wonder how it would look with the lower third cropped, to about the top of the front leg, and cloning out the pup's tag under the left of the chin.

sue

nsbca7

Mattel Barbie Photo Designer Digital Camera

01/13/2005 04:42:20 AM · #3

Originally posted by thewriterside:

Do you want this honest, or just someone to tell you it's good? I do animal portraits a lot so I can help if you want it.

01/13/2005 04:57:30 AM · #4

Be honest, but no complaints about composition (but picking on the water bowl is fine with me).

01/13/2005 05:05:16 AM · #5

Why no complaints about composition? It's probably the best thing to critique on because it's ordinary.

With animals it's nice to get down to their eye level or even lower for good effect.

Just standing and looking down making them look small and powerless isn't as aesthetic.

Message edited by author 2005-01-13 05:05:31.

01/13/2005 05:11:46 AM · #6

I said no complaints about composition because the client was happy with it. I know getting at the pet's level is best, which is what I did in several of the other shots.

In this particular situation, the client wanted the shot to be above the puppy, in order to get a feel for his size and, in my opinion, wanted the shot so she felt she had more "power" over the puppy (motherly type person with no young children to care for, which she enjoys).

But, you know, go ahead and complain about composition too. It's only fair.

Mattel Barbie Photo Designer Digital Camera

01/13/2005 05:20:00 AM · #7

Originally posted by thewriterside:

Just wondered why no composition critiques were allowed :D

Composition is king of photography. You can have a badly exposed but well composed photo that will still work. However a well exposed badly composed shot seldom has the same strength.

Anyway, exposure is a little underdone I feel and your right about the bowl, I would either shoot again without or make it more prominent.

This also may come under composition, but getting eye contact with animals is also good. The same rules apply to animal portraits as does people. Unless you were after the candid dog image.

As for clients liking stuff - sometimes they are wrong believe me, if your shooting for someone who wants something you don't like, it's damaging to your portfolio and future work.

Remember your the expert not the client.

nsbca7

01/13/2005 05:22:47 AM · #8

Originally posted by thewriterside:

Be honest, but no complaints about composition (but picking on the water bowl is fine with me).

OK, then lose the water bowl.

I'd agree strongly with jonpink on this. This may be the client's favorite, but it is your picture. People will more often judge the photographer's taste and abilities based on a picture then they will the client's. Whenever you work with animals or children (which sometime resemble animals) get down to or below their level.

Try not to get uniportant objects (like water bowls) in the picture.

Other than that the image needs more overall contrast. It needs to be brighter.

Message edited by author 2005-01-13 05:26:04.

01/13/2005 05:34:15 AM · #9

Thank you both! Your suggestions and critiques are very helpful.

Since I can't do the shoot over, what could I do to change this one, beside playing with the contrast? Would it help to blur water bowl?

I'll play with it a bit and get an edited copy up. For now, take a look at the two below... the original and post-edit. The eye contact thing is great, but Katie refuses to look into a camera no matter what I do to get her attention, but I still think it works. And, since Katie is my dog, her not looking into the camera is kind of a special aspect of the shot to me.

original

Post-Edit

01/13/2005 05:43:31 AM · #10

Like those better. bottom one is nice. The only thing I would touch would be to maybe dodge her eyes a little and sharpen them up a notch. This will make them more glossy and also help them to stand out.

On a side note with the thinness, if you look at the lower 1/4 of the image she looks like a golf head cover :D hehe

Nice shots!

01/13/2005 05:52:42 AM · #11

Originally posted by jonpink:

On a side note with the thinness, if you look at the lower 1/4 of the image she looks like a golf head cover :D hehe

Yeah, I guess she does look like a club cover. I guess it's the affect of her poufy neck hair. That's too funny! Thanks for the suggestions!

01/13/2005 06:10:39 AM · #12

Okay, is this version better? Is the puppy too bright?