Now correct me if I'm wrong but I think you were trying to capture the feeling of Buddy thinking "Why is she here?". In which case I think the timing of the shot needs to be improved. You needed to get some sort of expression on Buddy's face (eg him looking straight into the camera - full facial frontal shot - and if you had photoshop you could have heaps of fun with the liquify feature of it too).

But of course maybe you just wanted a pet shot, in which case here are some tips:

* Use props like their favourite chew toy
* have a setting like a basket, doghouse, sofa.
* I think you used a flash for lighting, On camera flashes tend to be dull and flat (and boring) so try placing them with the lightsource to their left or right, like a window, a bright lamp, a television even :)

Overall I think I heard on TV somewhere that you shouldn't work with children or animals...I've worked with both and I know why. They're bluddy hard and you need heaps of patience. But its always worth while. Follow your dogs around with a camera for half a day and I guarantee you'll get something cute looking, just be patient.

Some other pic ideas you can try:

* place some kind of treat from your mouth and take a picture of your dogs while looking down on them, they look up cause of the food and it looks quite good.

* Take pics of them at play or having a bath

I'm sure others will have more to say but I'm all typed out now and I should really be working ;)

Good luck and keep posting your future pics :) #8366

I see your point. While these photos may appear to be from a personal photo album. They're not really. They are just photos I had taken shortly after I had registered for this course. I looked over them and thought they would fit nicely with this Lesson.

You are aware what lesson this is right?
Get in a close to your subject (whatever that may be) as you can, and fill the frame with that subject in mind. Well, that is what I tried to do. And I think they turned out quite nicely. Even this one, because it was around the time when Buddy wasn't to sure about Sassy, and when he turned to look at me it was because Sassy was bothering him so much. Because she was a very hyper puppy. I just happened to snap this shot before she started swatting at him.

#8367

I have a few other photos like these ones you have chosen to discus, but the puppies were rough-housing, and would not sit still long enough for me to snap a nice photo. Neither are that old really, and at the time this picture was taken, I don't think either of them were anymore than 6-8 weeks old.

As for my other pictures, they were taken of my niece's, because at the time I could not get to a Zoo or an Aquarium, which is what the intructor had wanted for this first lesson, but he said it was alright to take pictures of family and the pets we have. Plus, everyone knows that kids love the camera!

In the short time I have been here, I am aware that there are others who have come here to learn, who are far more experienced with photography then I, who have high-tech equipment, and I appreciate their work a whole lot. I am young, and this is pretty much my first camera that I have owned, etc. I am here to learn, and progress from my current state of amature-amature photography, to something of a profession in the long run.

At this point, I am anticipating Jim Miotke's critque on my photo's, and welcome those of any others who have constructive criticism, and/or suggestions about how I can improve my photo-taking. #8368

Onto other things..

Thank you Romen V for your response! It's greatly appreciated. You have given me some real good tips and suggestions there, that I just may have to try. But I may run into some problems inbetween.

If Sassy is my target, I have to be very careful with what I use to entertain her as far as treats, and toys go. Because she is a very hyper puppy, and likes to jump at the face. Buddy on the other hand, he's a real sweet puppy who's not really rough at all. Maybe I'll just avoid Sassy all together, lol.

I don't really know what to do about the lighting. I have come to the conclusion, that the people I know have bad lighting! Very bad lighting in their house. I actually was well aware of this before, but I think I was in denial until I saw the proof for myself. :P

What you said about kids and what you heard on the news? I've never heard that before! I have a great time working with children. I find with them it comes naturally. They don't have to 'try' to smile or do something funny or cute. They just do! Even if they don't mean to. Maybe it depends on the age of the child? I don't really know, but I've had such a great time working with my nieces and nephews, who are from the youngest age 10 months, to the eldest who is 12. Though a few of them don't like the camera as much, and I can rarely catch a snap of them, unless they have their shirt pulled up over their face with a hat on. LoL

Thank you once again for your comment, I was very happy to hear someone give constructive criticism to me, that I'm going to print off this dicussion and keep it with other things related to this course that I have had printed. #8369