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
We were in South Luangwa National Park in Zambia and our guide located a wild dog den. After watching them lay around for a bit they got up and began to greet each other and run about. This wild dog suddenly noticed our vehicle and checked us out carefully for a few minutes before returning to the rest of the pack. It was very cool to see his complete focus on us until he ascertained we were harmless.
Feedback Requested
I would live any feedback about the general composition, framing, lighting and color. How can I make this photo better? Thanks so much.
The dog’s intense stare and raised paw create a wonderful sense of alertness and tension—you captured a very expressive moment. The light background also helps the dog stand out nicely and he seems sharp. I did notice a few gray and brown spots in the background that draw my eye a little, especially because some seem to almost make a pointer towards the dog’s head. I might consider subtly lightening or softening those spots so they blend more into the background and keep all the attention on the dog’s expression and gesture. Great capture.
This is the area that almost seems to point to his head to me.
Elizabeth, thank you so much for your feedback. I appreciate your thoughts. I have not really been processing my images for very long and it’s also an area I struggle with. I have been learning a lot from the many experts in the NPN community
I have a few points you could try and see what you think. The dog is right in the middle and looks cramped. He has no room to move into. Do you have a slightly wider shot so you can crop and give him more room to move into?
Along the same subject, you might want to see what you think about a 4 x 6 crop instead of the square crop. I feel it would make a more dynamic feeling to the shot. I am thinking that will also get rid of some of the foreground and come closer to the animal–and that stare.
Well, as would be expected, I like the revision. I don’t get any feeling of him being cramped now. So let’s see what others say. A nice capture Timothy.
I for one really like this new format. The dog has space to move into; it also has space below, as that paw is about to come down and the whole animal is arching downwards. So top marks now, Timothy. Beautiful animal and shot.
