Yellow labrador photo

by Ben
(UK)

Dog's can smile too!

Bramble was a dear family pet for over 13 years and the daftest dog you could ever meet. One day she stood where we had lit a bonfire the night before and kept picking up one foot at a time, because the ground was still warm. She didn't have the sense to move!

I took this photo of my dog in the garden, on my mum's digital SLR camera (she was terrified that I would drop it!)

Bramble was a happy dog and I wanted a dog photo that showed her love of life. I was really happy with the results, even though I took about 5 shots to get one good one.

Ben,

Your photo of Bramble is lovely. I love the way she is gently backlit, giving a rim of light around the top of her head and muzzle that helps to separate her from the background.

You did well in choosing a wide aperture on the camera which has blurred the background and kept the focus on the dog. Photos taken with a digital SLR have the benefit of a narrower depth of field (how much of the picture is in focus) than a compact point and shoot digital camera and you have used that feature well in your photograph.

Another plus is the fact that you have left some room in front of Bramble's head for her to "look into". This may have been intentional, or accidental, but it is always a good idea.

From the dimensions of the picture I am guessing you have cropped it a little to make the dog the main subject of the photo, am I right? If so congratulations on a good, tight crop that still allows "breathing room".

An excellent shot, be sure that you (carefully) borrow that camera again!

Carol