B&W Dog for C&C

Dundhoone

This is my first B&W shot, so I'd like some criticism/advice on how I could improve it/ have taken it better. The dog was yawning, it was that sort of an evening.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/aidanor/171516813/in/pool-boards_ie/

Morlar

Really liked this picture -it was a good capture. Great dof & contrasts too.

Oriel

Nothing strikes me about this one.
The dog is bang in the center of the frame, the shadow goes off the frame, you can't see where it's taken/what it's taken on etc

Morlar

obviously a cat person

I liked the capture looking at it on full view in flickr- the dof looking down the gangway - I wouldnt really be too interested in the background to be honest.

The cropping out of the lower shadow (I think ) can be forgiven given the capture shot that it is. Each to their own I spose. I wouldnt call it a masterpiece but definitely above the standard of a lot of what gets posted here. imo.

440Hz

Ok, normally I don't say negative things about nice shots, but when constructive criticism is asked for... I like the idea of the shot, Interesting light and shadow in the background. I am not sure about the contrast though, it is a little flat for a b&w and quite dark in places, so much so that there is little or no detail in the dog's face. Im not so sure that b&w was the best choice here. Good first attempt though, keep experimenting.

Dundhoone

Thanks for the comments, Criticism is exactly what I wanted, its positive if there are suggestions for improvement.
I’d be fairly naïve to think that my first B&W shot would be Magnum standard!!
I took this shot a few weeks ago – and didnt really like it too much, but sure i was messing about with it last night and thought it looked half decent in B&W. I like the gangway/footbridge too, but I can see how its not to clear to others as to what it is!
I wanted to have the backdrop of the footbridge heading off into the distance but there was a lady walking towards me hence the more downward angle on the moggie.
I didn’t think of the dogs shadow, but I can see how that would improve the shot. The dog had a dark face anyway and I suppose I thought the B&W would hide that a little.
It’s helped me realise that good B&W requires a completely different skill set to colour shots.
I’ll have to borrow another dog and recompose! (Also need to google dodge & burn!!)

elven

I like the composition and the DOF, I think the background works really well, and you can work with the face of the dog being practically a silhouette I think, instead of trying to lighten it. In fact, that's exactly what I liked about it when the page loaded at first.

I just think that it needs a little more 'pop', it probably is a bit dark overall - it might be worth uploading the original and everyone could have a shot at doing the conversion, to see if there's a better version to be had...?

Dundhoone

elven wrote:

it might be worth uploading the original and everyone could have a shot at doing the conversion, to see if there's a better version to be had...?

Err. .. not to sure how to do this .....lets see....

Fajitas!

Nice shot I think.

Comments? Crop off the right, so the dog is making the audience wonder what he's looking at, followed by a bit of dodging along the planks! That and a bit of Levels shout make it 'pop'!

Edit: Just saw that there, giz a minute...See what I can do!

Fajitas!

Quick play about really.

Morlar

Here is my 5 min bash - I had to crop it as it wouldnt upload more than a 100k image - I was going to do b/w then figured everyone else would. Would spend more time on it but have to head out in a bit.

Dundhoone

Fajita - I like the crop, not sure about the extreme contrast.
Morlar, you've definately improved the colour.....but I was trying for B&W!!!

Fionn

oh!
another B&W challenge....may i have a go?

Fionn

this is my take on the shot!

johnny b

hope you dont mind....heres my effort.........

just noticed the attached is a little darker than when its in photoshop...strange

elven

I like fajitas one best, for the crop and the contrast. I think cutting out the right hand side and keeping the background nice and simple works very well.

Fajitas!

elven wrote:

I like fajitas one best, for the crop and the contrast. I think cutting out the right hand side and keeping the background nice and simple works very well.

Higher contrast & Tighter crops all the way!!!!