Golden Retriever, training as a guide dog

[Kaye]

I took this shot in my street not far from my house. A neighbour/friend was walking the Golden Retriever. My friend has offered to do some initial training for the Guide Dog Society for 6 months or a year, then the dog will go for more formal training. I believe the dog is around 1 year old.

I would like to give my friend a printed version of this photo if you think it is worthy. If not, I have another couple of shots.

This is my first 'portrait' with my Tamron 90mm f/2.8.
The settings were: f/3.5, iso400, 1/160sec.

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I did a quick re-edit and tried to tone down the blue hue.

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[ronelbroderick]

Kaye, I like the original more with the blue that has not been edited, bring out the love and softness of the eyes out even more, the blue strap compliments your background or maybe the other way round. :) you can definitely give it as a gift, if you feel you want to do it over, try it with say 1 f stop more, maybe the nose will also be more in focus so that you can see the black clearly, but I personally like it as is,

[Kaye]

Thank you so much Ronel for your reply and your thoughts. I really appreciate them.
The first shot was my RAW version, so yes I did edit the first. I then had another look and thought I should tone down the blue a bit, hence my second edit.

I managed to get around 4 shots of this lovely dog in a bit of a rush, me with camera strung around the neck bumping into my friend in the street. It was a sort of a spur of the moment thing, but I took the opportunity.
I must agree that a slightly larger aperture setting would have brought more into focus, like the nose. This is where I appreciate the feedback, as every thread I post, I learn more.
Thanks so much Ronel.

[pipedesign]

I agree with Ronel, the blue is arguably better but the eyes and color of the fur loose something IMO.
Regardless, that is one beautiful dog and one fabulous posting. Unfortunately it reduced me to tears. Our closest friends recently lost their Lab to illness, and we lost both our dogs last year. There is a whole in my heart ..... can't believe it was almost a year ago.

So when are you going to start your photography business .....

[mdonahoe1]

Kaye, the edit really looks good. I'd be thrilled with this as a gift if it were my dog!!

[eyerkish]

Kaye,

I think it is more than worthy and I'm sure your friend will love it. The shot has great, sharp focus on the eyes and that dog is just gorgeous.

[Kaye]

I agree with Ronel, the blue is arguably better but the eyes and color of the fur loose something IMO.
Regardless, that is one beautiful dog and one fabulous posting. Unfortunately it reduced me to tears. Our closest friends recently lost their Lab to illness, and we lost both our dogs last year. There is a whole in my heart ..... can't believe it was almost a year ago.

So when are you going to start your photography business .....

Thank you so much John for your comments. I am very sorry to hear your sad news.

When you say "but the eyes and color of the fur loose something".... did you mean in the second shot? as I still do not know which one I personally prefer.
I think I am a long long way from a phography business at present :D


Kaye, the edit really looks good. I'd be thrilled with this as a gift if it were my dog!!

Thank you so much for the kind words Marianne.


Kaye,

I think it is more than worthy and I'm sure your friend will love it. The shot has great, sharp focus on the eyes and that dog is just gorgeous.

Eddie, I really appreciate your thoughts on this shot thank you.