Escaping the Heat

Image Critiques
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1

Original - Pup.jpg
Original - Pup.jpg1600×2000 556 KB

Critique Style: Standard

The photographer is looking for thoughtful feedback on the image as a whole, especially around the areas noted below.

Feedback Focus: Artistic / Expressive

About This Image

Jenny brought home a Newfoundland puppy for us to babysit. Needless to say, the puppy, now named Bunny, will be staying with us. She does have a sweet personality and a disdain for the heat of Summer. She jumps into the giant water bowls and splashes water all over to cool off. I photographed her peering out of the garage door which was challenging due to the darkness of the frame.

Feedback Requested

I like the overall dark features of the image with puppy eyes and tongue appearing out of the darkness. What do you think about this comp? I wanted to do some outdoor shots, but someone did not want to venture out into the sunny backyard!

Technical Details

Camera: Z9
Lens: 105mm f2.8 Micro
Focal length: 105mm
Shutter speed: 1/1250 sec
Aperture: f6.3
ISO: 128000
Flash: Natural Light

Processing software: Lightroom Classic, Photoshop 2025
Major adjustments: DeNoise, Levels, Increased Canvas size on left and rotated image 5 degrees CCW. Highlights were reduced especially on the tongue which competes with the eyes.
Blending/stacking:
Other notes: I used the rubber stamp tool to fill in areas left open from increased canvas size and rotation followed with a Guassian blur and layers mask to soften up the filled areas.

2

I like this a lot, Jim. The pose is excellent and the extended tongue adds a great little splash of color. You have enough separation from the background to clearly delineate the boundary between it and the subject and that’s what’s critical in these.

3

Hi Jim, I think Bunny’s panting tongue says it all…and those pleading eyes, “don’t make me go out there”. I like the crop and the darker background, it has a low key feel to it which I like.
She will be a fun subject for you!!
Alice

4

Thank you @alice and @Dennis_Plank for checking out Bunny the Newf pup. She is doing well and Jenny took her to a lake this morning so she could go swimming. …Jim

1 Like
5

An outstanding portrait and black is so difficult to do really well.

6

Wonderful photo! As someone who takes lots of photos of dogs (I have two golden retrievers) I know it can sometimes be a challenge to capture a great expression with clear, sharp focus on the eyes, Especially when the dog has black fur. My two dogs are both white, which brings different kinds of challenges, but I think this photo captures her personality well.