i am somewhat a beginner and i am looking for critique and comments on the following two pictures, also I don't know if i posted this in the right category.
I think that the focus on these is a little soft so it makes it hard to have the dog the focus. Also I think the B&W treatment on the first photo is not providing enough contrast between the dog and the background. Also the dog just doesn't look happy.
The second photo is interesting with the treatment, but the editing edges make it look artificial. Do you have the originals that we can see?
I also recommend from the shots we have had done of our dog, is the laying down with the head up side shot is very flattering on larger breeds (at least my Newfoundland) also a little more 3/4 rotation might help on the front shot and help hide the privates.
Pet Portraits
I agree that the frontal view he's side lit a bit too much and it's too soft.
The darker image is just too date - photography is about light, expression and emotion.
Dogs can be very difficult to photograph. My own Lhasa Apso goes and hides when he sees the camera and me trying to shoot him. My Cairn Terrier will just about pose - and she's nearly black so hard to photograph if the light isn't just right on her face. Cats are a whole other subject.
Just like shooting kids, they're best (my opinion) when they're being themselves. Unless they are well trained in the art of sit, stay and down, they have you on a leash themselves.
i totally agree with all that is said some i even noticed before posting like edges on the second picture do look fake i agree these are some of my first shots with a green screen and becuase of money i only have limited lights, to soft boxes and one shop light like the ones from home depot. but here are the originals below and again thanks for the critique and comments.
Green Eye
One more thing to watch for in Pet Portraits is Doggy Red Eye. If the light is not at the right height they get Green Eye - the dogs eyes are different than people eyes - people get red eye - dog eyes turn green.
Aside from the above comments, I think your DoF is too shallow. There IS sharpness in the focus -- but not in the right places. For example, in the first photo, the center of the photo on the dog's side hairs IS in focus, but the face falls out of focus. In the second, too much of the dog is either in front of or behind (mostly) the focus point, which makes the eye wander, trying to find where the focus point is, and getting totally distracted in the process.
Comments
The second photo is interesting with the treatment, but the editing edges make it look artificial. Do you have the originals that we can see?
I also recommend from the shots we have had done of our dog, is the laying down with the head up side shot is very flattering on larger breeds (at least my Newfoundland) also a little more 3/4 rotation might help on the front shot and help hide the privates.
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I agree that the frontal view he's side lit a bit too much and it's too soft.
The darker image is just too date - photography is about light, expression and emotion.
Dogs can be very difficult to photograph. My own Lhasa Apso goes and hides when he sees the camera and me trying to shoot him. My Cairn Terrier will just about pose - and she's nearly black so hard to photograph if the light isn't just right on her face. Cats are a whole other subject.
Just like shooting kids, they're best (my opinion) when they're being themselves. Unless they are well trained in the art of sit, stay and down, they have you on a leash themselves.
Flash Frozen Photography, Inc.
http://flashfrozenphotography.com
One more thing to watch for in Pet Portraits is Doggy Red Eye. If the light is not at the right height they get Green Eye - the dogs eyes are different than people eyes - people get red eye - dog eyes turn green.
Flash Frozen Photography, Inc.
http://flashfrozenphotography.com