The recent Pet Portrait Weekly Challenge got me to dig into a folder of images from an afternoon hanging with my kids and Newfoundlands as they enjoyed the results of a heavy spring snow here on our acreage. I ended up with some great candids of the dogs covered in snow crystals and of course my kids sledding and snowboarding and wiping out and just plain having fun.
I like this one for a lot of reasons a Dad would, but mostly for this simple quality: I caught each of my girls (Marlise, Shadow and Charis) in a moment that totally captures their personality! Marlise is mid-expression on a "Awwww!" as Shadow came over for a snuggle, which is what Shadow does, and Charis is full of joy, which is what she is.
Happy to hear how I might improve this further (yes, Charis was intentionally left outside of my DOF as a supporting character, but I welcome feedback on whether that works or not as well).
Nikon D600
Nikkor AF-S 300mm f/2.8G IF-ED VR
ISO 800
1/320sec @ f/5
-0.3EV
Monopod mounted
Slight crop and rotation to correct horizon
Minor adjustments to brightness and contrast, white vignette applied in Nik Color Efex Pro 4
Comments
3 commentsTotally cool John. Love the expressions on all three girls' faces. Love the simple BG and the open space of this shot. I might like to see the main subjects more to the left in the frame. This works really well though.
John,
This is a killer image! I wish I had the vocabulary to describe the visceral reaction I had seeing it. It is lovely on so many levels. Nevermind the photography, what this says about your family, this loving dog, and the fun you have together is priceless. Thank you for sharing this. When an image stimulates a strong emotional reaction it is indeed special!
Thanks, Ed and Patrick! Really appreciate your comments here. I have a similar, but of course more personal, response to this capture as you had, Patrick...thank you again for taking the time to express that. Now if I could pull this with all 6 of us and the other loving dogs!