Darby Dog

redleashredleash Registered Users Posts: 3,840 Major grins
edited September 27, 2009 in Other Cool Shots
I re-processed this shot of my dog, Darby. I used Topaz detail and then added a vignette. I'm happy with it but would appreciate some C&C. This is one of my favorite shots of her--it really shows off her expressive face. Her unusual brindle coloring is fun to work with also and I can get some great tones in PP if I use the right touch.

Comments?

Thanks,
Lauren

660207462_PJ5ye-L.jpg
"But ask the animals, and they will teach you." (Job 12:7)

Lauren Blackwell
www.redleashphoto.com

Comments

  • rwellsrwells Registered Users Posts: 6,084 Major grins
    edited September 25, 2009
    Hey Lauren,

    Darby's a beautiful dog!

    On the picture:

    I'd lighten-up the vignette on the camera left side. It's probably the same as the right, but with subject placement, it looks like your trying to hide something there.

    The shot looks a little hot from the flash on her face. You can bring some of that down in PS by burning the "highlights" on a layer. Also, on fur, it's easy for me to make it look over-sharpened. Looks that way on Darby also. That's kind of making it hard to look at her face fur along with the brightness. Look at the corner of her mouth. You can see there what looks to be over-sharpening.

    These are really fairly minor issues, but thought I'd spell them out since you asked.

    Of course, YMMV

    Give Darby a "good girl" for me thumb.gif
    Randy
  • harvey3harvey3 Banned Posts: 13 Big grins
    edited September 25, 2009
    wow!
    very smart looking...

    to what it is looking at? :)
  • redleashredleash Registered Users Posts: 3,840 Major grins
    edited September 25, 2009
    She was looking at my husband's hand--he was getting her attention while I shot the "portrait."
    "But ask the animals, and they will teach you." (Job 12:7)

    Lauren Blackwell
    www.redleashphoto.com
  • redleashredleash Registered Users Posts: 3,840 Major grins
    edited September 25, 2009
    Randy - Thanks for the suggestions. Here are 2 more versions, one that addresses the two areas you commented on and one that uses a softer approach in Topaz.

    Please vote on your favorite!

    #1 - Original (see first post)

    #2 - Lightened the vignette and muted the lighting on her face.
    660612861_B6baT-L.jpg

    #3 - Re-processed in Topaz for softer look--sort of reminds me of a painting.
    660621408_Lhpcm-L.jpg
    "But ask the animals, and they will teach you." (Job 12:7)

    Lauren Blackwell
    www.redleashphoto.com
  • rontront Registered Users Posts: 1,473 Major grins
    edited September 25, 2009
    Lauren, I love #2 and Darby is a very good looking dog. The expression that you caught in her eyes is outstanding!
    I do not care for #3.

    Ron
    "The question is not what you look at, but what you see". Henry David Thoreau

    http://ront.smugmug.com/
    Nikon D600, Nikon 85 f/1.8G, Nikon 24-120mm f/4, Nikon 70-300, Nikon SB-700, Canon S95
  • AzzaroAzzaro Registered Users Posts: 5,643 Major grins
    edited September 25, 2009
    Hi Lauren...... I like the shot......It shows a lot of improvement over dog shots in the past..... azzaro
  • rwellsrwells Registered Users Posts: 6,084 Major grins
    edited September 25, 2009
    redleash wrote:
    Randy - Thanks for the suggestions. Here are 2 more versions, one that addresses the two areas you commented on and one that uses a softer approach in Topaz.

    Please vote on your favorite!

    #2 - Lightened the vignette and muted the lighting on her face.
    660612861_B6baT-L.jpg

    Hands down this one wins! (#2 reworked)

    Spot-on thumb.gif
    Randy
  • redleashredleash Registered Users Posts: 3,840 Major grins
    edited September 25, 2009
    Thanks, gentlemen! I was happy with #2 also so I'm going to print with it . . . :D

    Now I guess I'll get busy on shots of my other four . . . . . . .

    L.
    "But ask the animals, and they will teach you." (Job 12:7)

    Lauren Blackwell
    www.redleashphoto.com
  • DogdotsDogdots Registered Users Posts: 8,795 Major grins
    edited September 27, 2009
    What a beautiful dog -- I like your first posting thumb.gif
    Mary
    www.Dogdotsphotography.com
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