Dog pic

[FlyingSquirrel]

This is the first time I've posted in this section of CIC, normally I am in the Nature and Architecture zone. Was out on the first trip with my 500mm lens yesterday, began talking to a lady that was trying to get some pics of her dog. She said the dog never does what she wants it to, and her pics come out bad. I offered to take some pics and email them to her. I've never photographed pets before, with anything other than a point and shoot, for my own personal enjoyment. Thought it would be fun to share a small pic of the dog with you all. I doubt she would mind, given I took the photos, and am not using it for anything other than sharing here. I think it came out pretty good.

[Loose Canon]

So how were you able to direct the shoot from a quarter mile away with that 500?

[travis4567]

Great shot Matt. Loved your other posts with the 500mm, I'm so envious. Please post more as you learn this lens.

[NorthernFocus]

It came out well indeed, Matt. I hope the lady appreciates the quality of the photos you produced for her.

[travis4567]

Maybe try to clone out the leash ,

[FlyingSquirrel]

Thanks guys. Hmmm, maybe I should start doing pet photography for some extra $ and experience....

Travis, thanks, this was a quick share. I sent the lady the full res pics with only basic edits, so she could do the rest.

[Pappadi]

Beautiful image!
It must have been scared seeing the blurred barrel of your 500mm rifle!!

[rpcrowe]

This is a nice portrait of a Shih Tsu. I might suggest that in addition to cloning out the lead, that you burn in the eyes slightly and also do a very subtle burn on the nose...

Using NIK Vivesa 2, I actually increased the structure and contrast of the eyes and reduced the brightness a tad...

[FlyingSquirrel]

This is a nice portrait of a Shih Tsu. I might suggest that in addition to cloning out the lead, that you burn in the eyes slightly and also do a very subtle burn on the nose...

Using NIK Vivesa 2, I actually increased the structure and contrast of the eyes and reduced the brightness a tad...

Richard, could you please post a version showing what you described? I'd like to see it visually to confirm that I understand what you are saying, and learn from your work. FYI, I actually dodged the eyes because everything was so dark up in the face area that it all fell into shadow too much for my preference. Maybe I did it too much. Would love to see your example. Thanks

[rpcrowe]

Richard, could you please post a version showing what you described? I'd like to see it visually to confirm that I understand what you are saying, and learn from your work. FYI, I actually dodged the eyes because everything was so dark up in the face area that it all fell into shadow too much for my preference. Maybe I did it too much. Would love to see your example. Thanks

Here's what I did. I used NIK Software Viveza 2 because I have been doing most of my editing lately with NIK. I am sure that the same thing would be possible using Photoshop or Photoshop Elements (or equivalent editing program). However, I really like the structure slider in Viveza 2 and love the control point system.

I am sure that the final product would be better if I were working from a RAW image instead of an image copied from a posting on CinC...



1. I selected the eyes using control points and increased structure and contrast a bit, then reduced the brightness a tad.

2. I used the Photoshop CS6 burn tool on the nose.

3. I cropped the image. Cropping is a very personal thing and what one photographer likes another might not like so well. However it seemed that the image might improve with a closer crop.

4. Using Viveza 2, I increased the structure globally and also increased the contrast globally, both these increases were minute.

5. I reduced the staining below its mouth just slightly. I selected this area using a NIK control point and reduced the saturation just a bit. I didn't want to make a show dog but wanted the stain reduced a tad.

6. I cloned out the lead and snap. Actually, I did not do as careful a job as I normally do but it was a bit difficult working with a copy from CinC. However, you may get the idea.

Finally in finishing the image, I would suggest a border of some type. Borders, like cropping are very subjective. I just added my standard border to the image.



In photographing dogs, I find that fill flash is really a help in that it will show up the eyes better, especially on dogs who have deep set eyes or lots of coat around the eyes, causing the eyes to be in a shadow. I realize that shooting with your great new lens, you were a distance from the dog. However, a 430EX or some such flash would open the areas around the eyes and provide definite catch lights in the eyes, even from a distance...

BTW: Your new lens produces a beautiful background blur. However, now that I am looking at the edit, I wonder if a slight vignette would not be a decent addition. What do you think?

[FlyingSquirrel]

Just want to let you know I haven't had time to review this since I'm dealing with some urgent issues. Will read and respond as soon as I can. thank you

[FlyingSquirrel]

Richard,

This is great work and I appreciate your time and in-depth explanation. Very helpful! I learned some good tips and ideas to use in the future.

I know of course that you would have spent more time and detail work with a RAW file and more time, but this still looks very nice. I like the reduced staining on the mouth area, nice idea.

As this shoot was impromptu and unexpected, I didn't think it through too much. Was more of a "get it done quick" thing just so the lady could have some shots. But your tips will help if I do something like this in the future with more time and planning. I do have a 430EX II flash, and a better beamer to focus the light if needed. I'd be somewhat hesitant to use flash on a dog, but I suppose it wouldn't do too much harm (lots of people probably use flash for this, and I suppose I'll be using it for wildlife in the future too)

I don't tend to like borders on my images at all. I can see a very subtle vignette being a nice addition to the image.

Thanks again!