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Please critique..Need Help
Sep 18, 2011 11:29:39 #
I have skylights in my back family room and the animals love laying under them. Need tips on how to get better photos using the natural shadows...if that makes sense...here is what I got.
Sep 18, 2011 13:43:29 #
I am kinda loving #2 and #3. If you know this is where the dog is gonna hang out in the warm sun you might be able to set up a gold or white reflector (depending on the tone you're going for) ahead of time (Use a stuffed animal to get the distance right). Then when the opportunity presents you can get the snaps off before the dog knows he/she is posing. It'd get rid of the face shadows and still maintain the skylight affect from above. Good luck.
Sep 18, 2011 13:55:43 #
I would try to crop the dog to show only the head and shoulder.
That sprawled lounging look is unattractive and not all interesting. A pet's face and eyes are where the appeal is, for me.
Using the reflectors to get rid of facial shadows is a good idea.
Also, try getting the dog to look more to the left at you, rather
than straight ahead and make some small noises to enhance his look of alertness.
That sprawled lounging look is unattractive and not all interesting. A pet's face and eyes are where the appeal is, for me.
Using the reflectors to get rid of facial shadows is a good idea.
Also, try getting the dog to look more to the left at you, rather
than straight ahead and make some small noises to enhance his look of alertness.
Sep 18, 2011 14:33:42 #
pmodrow wrote:
I would try to crop the dog to show only the head and shoulder.
That sprawled lounging look is unattractive and not all interesting. A pet's face and eyes are where the appeal is, for me.
Using the reflectors to get rid of facial shadows is a good idea.
Also, try getting the dog to look more to the left at you, rather
than straight ahead and make some small noises to enhance his look of alertness.
That sprawled lounging look is unattractive and not all interesting. A pet's face and eyes are where the appeal is, for me.
Using the reflectors to get rid of facial shadows is a good idea.
Also, try getting the dog to look more to the left at you, rather
than straight ahead and make some small noises to enhance his look of alertness.
I will definitely crop the head and shoulders. Getting her to look more to the left could be a challenge since she hates the camera. If I even speak to her when trying to get pictures she gets up and charges me. She was lazy this morning so I was able to snap a few.
Sep 18, 2011 17:35:41 #
You've got some wonderful suggestions here. I did crop the photo. Unfortunately when you crop a photo this much the image tends to get blurry. It's better to just shoot closer. I understand what you mean about the dog just wanting to come to you in this situation. Pet pics can be challenging for this reason. Mine does that too. I don't know any way to avoid having a white dog back not overexpose in this setting unless you focus and adjust lighting on the back. Unfortunateley that would make the shadows on the face even darker. You could try using a flash when taking the photo to get less shadow on the dogs face(this is called fill flash). I feel a crop is definitely called for to get less of the glaring back and to focus on that cute face. I also sharpened a little. I'll send the photo on next comment.
Sep 18, 2011 17:36:47 #
Sep 18, 2011 18:12:23 #
mommy115 wrote:
You've got some wonderful suggestions here. I did... (show quote)
I like what you did with the picture...this was another one I had taken ..it didn't have the shadows but I thought it came out alright...what do you think of this one? Love all the advice and tips!
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Sep 18, 2011 19:29:48 #
Bonnie S wrote:
quote=mommy115 You've got some wonderful suggesti... (show quote)
This is a much better photo as far as lighting goes. The back is still pretty glared out. If I was you I would try focusing on the dogs back to get that area darker and then using the fill flash and see what you get. Nice photo. One of your previous commenters did get a little more detail on the glared out areas. I wish I knew how he/she did that. You'll have to look back to find it. Anyway I did crop again to eliminate some of the glare on the back.
original photo
edited photo
Sep 18, 2011 19:31:46 #
Oh, I guess that wasn't a commenter. It's that one of you earliest photos had a little less glaring on her back.
Sep 18, 2011 19:31:48 #
Bonnie S wrote:
quote=pmodrow I would try to crop the dog to show... (show quote)
Bonnie, wow!
That cropping was JUST the ticket, imo.
NICELY redone!
Sep 19, 2011 02:55:45 #
Direct sun and shadow is brutal lighting for people or animals. Getting detail in both the highlights, and the shadows is tough for most cameras. If I were forced to use this area with sun screaming through the window, I'd:
1. grab a (white) sheet and put it over the window to diffuse the light. I'd also put a large with board or piece of paper between you and the dog to bounce light back at the dog.
2. Or, wait until that area is in shade, then shoot it.
3. Or, us a flash bounced off ceiling or in an umbrella to put more light in the dog's face.
1. grab a (white) sheet and put it over the window to diffuse the light. I'd also put a large with board or piece of paper between you and the dog to bounce light back at the dog.
2. Or, wait until that area is in shade, then shoot it.
3. Or, us a flash bounced off ceiling or in an umbrella to put more light in the dog's face.
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Sep 19, 2011 08:29:46 #
Rick d. wrote:
1. grab a (white) sheet and put it over the window to diffuse the light. I'd also put a large with board or piece of paper between you and the dog to bounce light back at the dog.
The white sheet is a good idea and the white board between you and the dog should take the shadows out. I think I'd try that and see if you don't get what you are looking for. They are some nice pics and a cute subject.
Sep 20, 2011 16:56:01 #
Personally, I love #2 and#3 just the way you composed them. I agree that they need some fill flash in the darker areas, but the full body sprawled out look is adorable, and adds character and interest to the photos. The severe cropping took away all semblance of good composition in my opinion. Just my 2 cents worth!
Sep 20, 2011 17:08:10 #
Bonnie S wrote:
I have skylights in my back family room and the animals love laying under them. Need tips on how to get better photos using the natural shadows...if that makes sense...here is what I got.
Perhaps have the dog's head facing the back window light and use a lower exposure so as to pick up what then may be shading rather than shadows. As mentioned, using reflectors and diffusers may give you more of the image you desire. Also, try getting at the dog's level instead of shooting down on him. And when all else fails or sounds tiresome, just play!
Cheers,
jb
PS: took the liberty of taking some shadow out of the carpets so your pooch has more pop.
Sep 20, 2011 20:45:05 #
jb wrote:
quote=Bonnie S I have skylights in my back family... (show quote)
Love it JB!!!!! Thank You!!!
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