Hi
I just joined this forum.
I am a VERY beginning photographer 9i probably should not even use this word)
I am learning how to use my camera and would welcome any help, advice and critique you may provide that would help me become better in photography.
I am posting just one picture, it is not PS in any way, just decreased in size, not sure how it will affect the IQ.
Thanks for your help and comments.

I guess you can say I am also new to photography so I guess my opinion might not matter too much. I think this is a good shot. I like how the background does not take away from the subject..your cool dog. I also like how it was taken at ground level

JSTB,

Welcome to the forum! We are all here to learn, share knowledge, and make what is intended to be helpful commentary and suggestions. You'll find a diversity of opinion; ultimately what counts is your visualization of the capture: does it appear as you intended?

I like the image. One could argue it is soft but given the OOF area to the front and rear plus subdued light, IMO the softness adds to the atmosphere. Too, given the subject's woeful expression, we can see just enough of the eyes to complete the thought - sort of a "When will we be done" attitude.

Only nit to pick: don't clip the ear and paw.

Again, great capture and welcome,

Bob

Jessie and Bob
Thank you so kindly for your words.
Bob, I agree, never thought about the clipping, I wish I did not. Well, they stay in this position for about 20 hours a day so it will be easy to re-shoot
So far, I mainly "torture" them, as I have nobody willing to put up with me trying to set up my camera to different settings, tinker with various modes, etc. It is too much of a machine for me yet, I am hoping to learn soon though.
Bob, do you have any advice on light that would improve an image like that? I have no clue how to do it...
Or...is there a book you could recommend I should read...hopefully written in very digestable form for a girl like me who has just fallen in love with photography

JSTB,

Don't feel badly about the framing, I still mis-frame occasionally

Lighting? I really like it as is - perhaps a piece of white card stock to serve as a reflector to fill-in some shadows.

Otherwise, other forum readers have much more to offer in that area and Silver, aka "silvawispa", is a student of lighting, perhaps he can offer some advice. He has mentioned a group named "strobist", perhaps googling them or "photo lighting" will get you started.

regards,
Bob

Bob, Thanks, I will look it up. It is so much fun to learn! I am afraid I know nothing, so I have buckets to absorb.
Thanks again.

As a first order approximation, for people and critters, focus on the eyes. They should be sharp.

Thank you AuntiePode (what a cool nick) for your tip. I'll try it next time. These are my first trials with camera and sometimes things that look OK at first glance to me, after someone points out to me...well, need improvement. Great, something new to learn. Love it!

Not much to add, so I will re-iterate.

Low to the ground shooting, at eye level. Excellent.
Cute subject. Another plus.
Background not distracting.

Ear tip, edge of paw cut off.
No eye contact (not essential in every image, of course).
Focus appears to be on the nose and eyes should be sharp.
Might want to experiment with a tad more depth of field (higher aperture number), but, if the eyes were sharp, image would work with shallow DOF as well.

Cant really offer great lighting suggestions, but it appears that most of the light is nicely dffused but behind the dog.

Scott

One of the great things about this hobby, working digital, you can take all the images you want for practice. You're just burning electrons. My advice? Study and practice, practice, practice. There's so much to learn and so much satisfaction awaits!

P. S. You know I did try for the handle "Auntiepode", but due to a keystroke blunder I got stuck with Auntipode. And so it goes....

Scott, thanks very much for tips, I will try to increase aperture number next time or just try focusing on eyes, great advice from all of you, this is a great forum, you are all helping me immensely. Thanks again, it is like looking at picture through someone else eyes.

JSTB wrote:
Bob, Thanks, I will look it up. It is so much fun to learn! I am afraid I know nothing, so I have buckets to absorb.
Thanks again.

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/03/lighting-101.html

I like the picture. My only comments have already been said. Move back a little so the ear and paw aren't cropped. Also, the dog's face looks a hair underexposed to me, but otherwise I like it. Also, I'm also just an amateur, so take my suggestions with a grain of salt

AuntiPode wrote:
P. S. You know I did try for the handle "Auntiepode", but due to a keystroke blunder I got stuck with Auntipode. And so it goes....

It's nice to know that I'm not the only one who screwed up my nickname when registering here.

Hi matonanjin, thanks for a great link! I am learning from bottom up so this is a great help, many, many thanks.
EmigrantMtChri--Thanks for your input and critique, it is VERY much appreciated. All the comments are great and are helping me to learn. I looked at the pictures I took that day and picked one that is much better IMO, but I wanted to post this one as I needed to hear real input and helping hints on how to improve. And you guys delivered. This is fantastic!
Many thanks