chilling take 2

[MatthewWilliams]

i took all the great advice from the post just chilling in the afternoon sun ..This isn't the same photo but ..[IMG][/IMG]

[MatthewWilliams]

i did crop out some of the background

[MatthewWilliams]

or this one

[IMG][/IMG]

[deetheturk]

#2 for me Matt, well captured bud

[bnnrcn]

#2 for me too. I think your focus is on the back of the animal, not on the head. It might be better to try to focus on the head of this beauty next time

[John 2]

Matthew, you really want the viewers eye to go straight to the head but I agree with Binnur, the head and in particular, the eye are not as sharp nor as bright as its rear end and this is what you are drawn to first. However, the head will sharpen selectively if you have the means and some careful burning and dodging will alter the light balance sufficiently to change this. It would be worth it because it is a nice image.

[IzzieK]

Like this, John...Binnur and Matthew?

[MatthewWilliams]

i found the dodge/burn tool in gimp and used it mostly on the first image ( i use my wifes laptop to edit , its the 'newest' relic of a computer we have .. ) and it always appears different on that machine ; i will have to start previewing on another one...and as far as focus, i rely heavily on autofocus or nothing would be in focus