Overall this is a great shot. It shows something of the character of the subject, as a good portrait should. The sunset lighting really brings out her color. Focus is perfect, although a little soft in my opinion (but I'm big on textures, and probably overdo Unsharp Mask much of the time!). The color and bokeh in the background nicely complement Betty, although the bright area above her head is a bit distracting. The photo is slightly overexposed, but just in the red channel and mostly in the background, so it isn't a problem here; the red color cast works well in this photo. As mentioned by others, a tighter crop would help this photo; consider turning the camera sideways the next time you make a portrait of her.
Thank you all for your votes and comments. This was my first entry and am pleased with the response.
This shot was taken at sunset on the last day of submission. That day was the first sunny day we had had in a week so. I sat in a blind with a tele all afternoon. No luck. No birds showed up. Not one. So as a last ditch I grabbed up one of my dogs and drove down the road to a place where the sun had not yet gone behind the trees and took the shot.
On retrospect I would have to say that the members who said the picture should have been cropped tighter you are definatly on target. I tried a tighter crop later that night and it was a vast improvement. As far as improving the bokeh, sorry, that is what I was aiming for and am well pleased with the results.
By the way, the background is actually trees. Green trees. The color cast of the sunset gave them the warm glow. This effect was not done in PS.
Fabulous the way you managed to match the background to his coloring so well. My only complaint is that he feels a bit chopped off at the neck, I'd have preferred to have more of his body in the shot. He is a gorgeous dog. And my apologies if he's a she.
My favourite in this challenge - great bokeh - wonderful touching expression from 'Betty' - clear and sharp subject with great great color in background - 10
Really beautiful!! Love the colors, the bg is perfect.
My only suggestion would be to fill more of the frame with Betty's head. It looks a little cut off from the rest of her body - like she couldn't quite reach far enough into the frame. I think I would experiment with some cropping and the frame it.
Great lighting and detail on this too.
I think you have a winner here. My only suggestion would be a slightly tighter crop. I don't think it needed so much space above. Beautiful tones and great capture of doggy expression.
Love her expression and the background really compliments her coloring. Very nice. She kind of looks sad or worried, although I'm sure she's as happy as can be. ;-)
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