Critique Requested on Dog Portrait

[coupekid]

Hi there,

Please could you offer some critique on this shot. Particularly on the colour side.

The reason I ask, is because I am using a new PC and, more importantly, a new monitor.

If for any reason, it seems a little 'off' if anyone has the time to correct it and repost I would be very grateful

Thanks in advance!!

(By the way, also taken using my shiney new flash gun!)

[Caz]

Re: Critique Requested on Dog Portrait

Aha... so the new computer has arrived....

It looks absolutely fine to me, a lovely portrait, well lit and defined.

By the way, what's that round its neck?

Caz

[coupekid]

Re: Critique Requested on Dog Portrait

Aha... so the new computer has arrived....

It looks absolutely fine to me, a lovely portrait, well lit and defined.

By the way, what's that round its neck?

Caz

It sure has Caz, and it is superb, very happy with it (especially the card readers on the front, very happy!

Thanks for the comment.

The thing around its neck is a load of bells! Rosy is a rescue dog, and is in training, especially when going for walks, she has a tendency to either stop walking, dart in some bushes, etc, so it helps my freinds who are training her locate her if necessary

[fluffy penguin]

Re: Critique Requested on Dog Portrait

what a lovely dog, and nice photo.
can I ask, might be a dumb question
but you have well lit that up but not affected the eyes?
fp

[Patrick]

Re: Critique Requested on Dog Portrait

Hi there,

Please could you offer some critique on this shot. Particularly on the colour side.

The reason I ask, is because I am using a new PC and, more importantly, a new monitor.

If for any reason, it seems a little 'off' if anyone has the time to correct it and repost I would be very grateful

Thanks in advance!!

(By the way, also taken using my shiney new flash gun!)

Hi
Lovely picture of the dog.

There does seem to me on my profiled screen to be a slightly warm cast, although this isn't probably the best type of picture to assess such things. The background is obviously a warm colour and is affecting the entire image.

Have you got a picture with a full rang of colours in it to post, that will allow the viewer to judge for colour cast better.

Don't forget if you haven't the means to profile the screen, a jolly good compromise can be had using Adobe gamma.


Patrick

[Pol]

Re: Critique Requested on Dog Portrait

I agree with Patrick that there seems to be a very slight warm cast .. but I suspect it might be the background reflecting.

Otherwise it looks good on my screen ... and it's a gorgeous shot. I love the pose and the way she's holding her front paws.

Pol

[vlarcombe]

Re: Critique Requested on Dog Portrait

Not seeing much of a cast on my screen. There is a slight warmish look to the rear flank but this looks far more like a reflection of the fabric than a general cast, I cant see any effect on the left of the dog where the illumination is more directly off the flash.

Great pet portrait .

Hope you're pleased with your new computer (I had to replace mine last November after a mother board failure and can't believe how much faster the new one is).

Vernon.

[Ian]

Re: Critique Requested on Dog Portrait

Hi there,

Please could you offer some critique on this shot. Particularly on the colour side.

The reason I ask, is because I am using a new PC and, more importantly, a new monitor.

If for any reason, it seems a little 'off' if anyone has the time to correct it and repost I would be very grateful

Thanks in advance!!

(By the way, also taken using my shiney new flash gun!)

It's a delightful picture, Ben! Which lens did you use? Also, what's this new flashy toy of yours?

On the critique - I can see what Patrick means - there is a sense that the fur can't quite make up its mind whether it's black or brown, but that's a minor criticism. If there is another (apart from the bells on the collar, which I find distracting but are necessary from what you say) there is a natural cloudiness in the eyes that can probably modified.

But overall - a delightful shot

Ian

[Tom]

Re: Critique Requested on Dog Portrait

very nice shot Ben. Whatever cast is there does not bother me. He has tidied himself up into a very nice pose indeed and you have done it all justice. He could turn pro.

[Autumn]

Re: Critique Requested on Dog Portrait

Lovely picture, but on my screen I would say it has a pinky glow.

[Pol]

Re: Critique Requested on Dog Portrait

what a lovely dog, and nice photo.
can I ask, might be a dumb question
but you have well lit that up but not affected the eyes?
fp

I just spotted your query. If the flash is bounced off the ceiling, the light doesn't go straight into the eyes and reflect back off the eyes (causing red eye or other unattractive effects) .. as it would if it's pointed directly at the dog or person.

Another method is to diffuse the flash in addition to bouncing it (off the ceilng, a wall or some other form of reflector) that helps lighten the subject without getting so many harsh shadows.

That's a rather basic explanation. Ben will probably be along later to elaborate and discuss how he arranged to lighting.

Hope that helps.

Pol

[coupekid]

Re: Critique Requested on Dog Portrait

what a lovely dog, and nice photo.
can I ask, might be a dumb question
but you have well lit that up but not affected the eyes?
fp

Hi FP,

I think Pol has summed it up perfectly.

In this instance I had a Sto-Fen filter to soften the light, and bounced the light off the ceiling, and slightly to the left.

In doing this, you reduce the chance of Red Eye, and also maintain texture in the fur.

I have to be honest, I am no expert though, this was the second shot I ever took with the flash gun attached, so I am still learning myself!

By the way, no question is ever dumb! your only dumb if there is something you would like to know, but you dont ask!

[Tinka]

Re: Critique Requested on Dog Portrait

Hi Coupkid
A lovely portrait, he looks a bit bemused/worried by it all, but he obviously trusts you. no cast on my screen, the slight tinge on the rear leg is obviously reflection from the background material.

[Blithe]

Re: Critique Requested on Dog Portrait

Firstly, very little could detract from those eyes. He is a scene stealer. I am seeing a pinkish tinge over his rear legs and ever so slightly over the top of his nose. I would assume it was reflected off the material if it were mine. The composition is so right, those big soft paws and beseeching eyes, we could definitely go walkies.

[coupekid]

Re: Critique Requested on Dog Portrait

It's a delightful picture, Ben! Which lens did you use? Also, what's this new flashy toy of yours?

On the critique - I can see what Patrick means - there is a sense that the fur can't quite make up its mind whether it's black or brown, but that's a minor criticism. If there is another (apart from the bells on the collar, which I find distracting but are necessary from what you say) there is a natural cloudiness in the eyes that can probably modified.

But overall - a delightful shot

Ian

Hi Ian,

Many thanks, the fur is black, very black and very shiney, so that might be why.

I have purchased a Sigma Flashgun, EF500 DG ST, I know absolutely nothing about using a flashgun, so am in the early 'trial and error' phase.

Its the first time I have ever used an external flash, and am experimenting in bouncing off walls ceiling etc.

Cheers!

Ben