What do you think? Which one is better? Why?

[jspot1980]

These are of a full blooded bull dog that my aunt and uncle own. He was helping my daughter hunt for easter eggs. Did I over do it with the saturation or the contrast? Help me pick the best one. Thanks
Jason

[HowLowCanYaGo]

#5. Simply because it is the dog just acting naturally. And the fact that it probably took some patience to get the shot.

[jspot1980]

Well in the first three pictures he was actually trying to attack the polaris pool cleaner that was moving around in the bottom of the pool. I thought the second two were kind of funny. He was playing with and easter egg that my daughter dropped while hunting for them.

[Copy_Kot]

I chose number five because:

In number one, there is some black thing growing out of the dogs head. The white plastic cover under the dog is very distracting, and the crop is too tight on the back side of the dog.

In number two, the same reasons as number one (minus the black tube growing out of the dogs head).

Number three, the crop is just too tight... and the dog looks like it's participating in a police line-up.

I like number four and had a hard time choosing between it and number five. I chose number five because I like the dog looking at the camera, and because the dog is playing with the plastic egg (the egg isn't just laying in front of him).

The whites look pretty hot in all five on my monitor (I think they should be toned down). Also, these would look much better if you could bring out some of the detail in the dogs eye's, they look hollow the way they are now.

[jspot1980]

Copy_Kot, here's a PS'd version of the 1st picture without the "plastic thing" (the pool steps) and the cover...
Is this better?
Jason

[jkriminger]

num 1...I like the cool blue of the pool ..making his mug jump out a little more

[Copy_Kot]

Copy_Kot, here's a PS'd version of the 1st picture without the "plastic thing" (the pool steps) and the cover...
Is this better?
Jason

Wow Jason, that is ten times better! Outstanding cloning job!

Please understand that this is just me being a nitpick... you did a great job getting rid of some distractions. The water above the dogs head in the edited image needs to be 'blended.' Try using a small soft brush and sample from both the left and right of where the 'cloning line' is visible.

And, if you want to make a great shot even better, extend your canvas to the left and bottom and add a little space under the dogs foot (just a little).

Once again, great job!

[drg]

I prefer the fifth shot for the reasons mentioned and specifically it shows more of this dogs personality. Four is a close second, though the dog doesn't come off as well being crouched in that way.

The first three are O.K. but they come off as profiles and to catalog like as if trying to show the breed standards. The first one has possibilities with the pose but the way the edge of the pool runs through his head and neck is never as desirable If only you had been positioned slightly more to the left and rear of the dog he would appear to be really leaning over the edge and . . . well we all have those in the archives.

Thanks for sharing this and I'll always look at more dog photos!

[danno]

I picked the last shot, because its the only shot that the dog isn't looking out of the frame... and he looks a lot more natural.

[jspot1980]

Thank you all for the comments, I do agree that these don't seem to be natural behavior, I guess in some respect "you had to be there." In the first three shots he was growling and being agressive towards an automated pool cleaner that was floating around in the bottom of the pool. I guess what I see is the muscular definition and the hair standing up on the back of the neck with these shots. Thanks again for all the comments and voting.
Jason

[Ronnoco]

Jason's edit has the advantage of being the best version of the formal, show dog stance as found in all kinds of professional dog magazines. The weakness is too tight a crop at the bottom rear paw.

Ronnoco

[jspot1980]

Thanks for the critique, I'll know not to crop so tightly next time. I was thinking I needed to get rid of all the distractions behind the dog. :shrugs: That's what I'm here to do, Learn. Thanks again,
Jason