Winston

I may be a bit biased since I have (black) labs myself, but I love this shot!  Perfect lighting and great DOF.

Hi Scott:

Winston is fortuntae to have such a talented photographer take his portrait.

If I look into his eyes, I think he is saying "next stop, the livingroom sofa! That's a great place to dry off."

Regards, John

I think the eye on the viewer's left should become the subject of the composition.  Half in light and half in shadow, that eye area is the most interesting part of the picture.  Maybe a tight crop of the head area, with the face off center might do it.  The variance of the light and shadow near the face and head are much more interesting than the texture of the grass; much more surface area of the photo is devoted to the grass.  The grass supports; but, the subject of the face and head are more important, more active, and more interesting.  Tighten up and crop. 

I'll probably rate this a four or five, but it has seven potential. 

James - Thank you.

John Roswell - Thanks. He's actually not allowed on the couch and I have never seen him on it, but nearly every time I come home the throw pillows on each end of the couch are on the floor, so he and Amber must go straight for it as soon as I leave. They think they're so clever, but they ain't foolin' anybody.:)

John O'Keefe-Odom - Thanks for the lengthy critique on the crop. I normally do crop tight and tried it with this right off the bat. I actually spent more time deciding on the crop than I did post-processing the entire image. I kept going back to this one though. I personally think a little open space suits it well. I lose 3 whole points for just the crop though....wow.:)

PDE

Now I know his name,excellent portrait of an excellent friend,compliments.

RC

What a beautiful photo of Winston. He has that puppy face that I love to see on dogs...so happy to be alive. I love the light and the setting, too.