Black Dog

Sam · April 1, 2011

Awhile ago there was a post about a black dog and how difficult it is to take a photo and get detail in the dog without totally blowing out the background.

Unfortunately I can't find the post. :cry

I ran down to my neighbors today and borrowed their dog for a few minutes. He is very black and shiny.

Here is what I got.

Sam

Snowgirl · April 2, 2011

These turned out beautifully. Lots of detail in both the dog and the background.

Perhaps the comment pertained to a dark dog on a dark background? That's a tough one.

I cope with both - black dog; black horse. Always looking for suitable backgrounds. Both more a lot so forget about slow shutter speeds. Up the ISO, open the Aperture and hope a lot!

sara505 · April 2, 2011

Love #1 with yellow eyes and yellow flowers.

Richard · April 2, 2011

Sam wrote: »

Unfortunately I can't find the post. :cry

Is this the one?

You really nailed the exposure in both of these.

I prefer the composition of the first but on my (uncalibrated laptop) screen, there seems to be a yellow/green cast on the dog, perhaps reflected light from the surroundings.

Sam · April 2, 2011

Richard wrote: »

Is this the one?

You really nailed the exposure in both of these. I prefer the composition of the first but on my (uncalibrated laptop) screen, there seems to be a yellow/green cast on the dog, perhaps reflected light from the surroundings.

That's the one! I hope Mary stops by and sees this post.

Again this was a ten minute, grab the camera, grab some kibble and try to calm down a bouncy energetic Lab.

Sam

ian408 · April 2, 2011

I think the exposure is right on as well. The green/yellow looks like it's from the plant material.

The trouble with the first thread seems to have more to do with metering in a larger environment. The dog represents such a small part of the overall exposure that if it's not "average" and you use evaluative metering; you'd want to overexpose a bit to compensate.

FlyNavy · April 3, 2011

Amazing exposure.

BigRed · April 8, 2011

The most beautiful photo of a black dog I've ever seen:
https://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=1639767517198&set=o.35007936858&theater

The photographer generously shared her technique with me:

"Sophie was on my bed, but right across from her was a window with sunlight coming in! I sat between the two, and got my settings right so that my shutter was fast enough and enough light was coming into my camera, and also used NO flash! So basically the key is LOTS of natural light on the dog's face!"

I think another key element is how she controlled the background; using natural light on the dog with a subdued interior wall behind was inspired. She also had the dog's full attention, got catchlights in those gorgeous eyes, and later added a nice vignette.

Dogdots · April 10, 2011

Sam wrote: »

That's the one! I hope Mary stops by and sees this post.

Again this was a ten minute, grab the camera, grab some kibble and try to calm down a bouncy energetic Lab.

Sam

I stopped by

Great shot

The first one .. the eyes and the flowers behind the dog match up good. Wish I had the sunshine and the elements you had in your shot. Mine was a 'grab it quick' on a crappy day with a whole lot of stuff in the photo.

But ... I did get another neighbors black lab pup trimming up the neighbors hedge

Haven't had a chance to edit them yet, but I had more light and snow to help reflect upwards onto the dog. Will post them soon.

You definitely showed it can be done

Black Dog

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