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09/05/2006 09:21:36 PM · #1 |
I'm looking for lighting and other suggestions on how to improve this pic. I've been experimenting with my point & shoot before my new camera arrives tomorrow.
Thanks!
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09/05/2006 09:30:33 PM · #2 |
| Have you tried editing levels or curves? |
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09/05/2006 09:55:50 PM · #3 |
I've played with levels a little, but not curves. I don't know if/how to do that with Photoshop Elements.
Here is the original version.
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09/05/2006 10:50:55 PM · #4 |
The picture is nice, but you are shooting with too shallow of a depth of field. Your depth of field should be deep enough to have the picture in focus from the tip of the nose to just behind the ears, with the eyes being the primary focus point.
When I shoot dogs, I tend to use two lights up front, both metered the same. The one I consider my main (even though they are metered the same) I usually have at a 45 degree angle from the direction the dogs nose is pointing. For a umbrella or softbox, I have the bottom at about head level and angled down a bit. The second light I put just left of the camera position and centered about head height. Most of the time I'll have a third light that I either bounce off the ceiling (if it's a white ceiling) or have it high enough and angled down so that it can hit the back of the dogs head just behind the ears. This third light is usually about a stop under the other two lights.
I usually try for a f11 to f16, with an average about f13, which gives me plenty of depth of field with the 24-70 2.8L lens I usually shoot with.
With darker dogs, you need to have a bit of side light that skims across their fur or hair (some dogs have hair some have fur and they reflect light differently) to bring out detail. If you just blast light at a dark haired dog, it will absorb it all and you will have a black blob. A well lighted black blob, but a blob non-the less. :D
Also, with the frontal lighting, watch out for wet tounges... they reflect a lot of light and you can get a tounge that is very bright.
Mike |
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09/06/2006 12:24:19 AM · #5 |
Ive noticed with darker dogs it is better (if you can) to shoot them in a little higher light...I try natural if at all possible..but I am just a beginner...here is one of mine though....
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09/09/2006 09:47:05 PM · #6 |
We have one of those as well, but of the brown variety... except he's got a lot of white on his face from having to put up with all the Bouviers and getting older.
Mike
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09/09/2006 09:57:55 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by crewmnd:
...but not curves. I don't know if/how to do that with Photoshop Elements.
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You are right ~ curves adjustment isn't available with Elements.
Nice photo, by the way. Are you enjoying the Rebel XT? |
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09/09/2006 10:14:42 PM · #8 |
| I love my new Rebel XT, took it to the Zoo today and got some good pics, but I'm just getting started. |
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09/09/2006 11:48:39 PM · #9 |
Supplemental lighting on the other side of the face or a reflector would bring out the other side of the face.
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09/20/2006 07:19:10 PM · #10 |
So you have had your Rebel for awhile... have you taken anymore dog shots using it? :D
Mike
Message edited by author 2006-09-20 19:19:27.
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