Wet Dog

Critique welcome. Thanks.

Impressive photograph! Great work.

Gunnar, thanks for the kind words. Much appreciated.

A marvelous picture, Laurent, like something painted by John Constable. Just a beautiful photo and a departure from most of your work.

Una muy buena toma, excelente luz y tonos. Saludos

I agree, great image, great timing, a good sense of the environment, painterly effect,

This has a real classic feel to it. Though a dog portrait, it seems very human to me. There is genuineness and you're not catching the dog in a typically "flattering" moment, yet you've photographed it with such class and elegance that it becomes a lot more than what it is, if that makes sense.

I managed to see your B&W version of this photo, which I too would call classic in a sense that it instantly made me think of a nameless photographer, to who's portfolio this photo would fit well. I just can't figure out, whose work I'm reflecting to, sorry. This is first time I got that feeling as I look at your output. Likely sign of departure from your customary visual language, so to say. This subdued version truly hits my soul. Kudos, Laurent!

Thanks for your kind words that together summed up pretty well what I felt when seeing that beautiful dog tryin' to dry itself in a corner after a swim in the ocean. The dog was truly classy and elegant, full of great majesty, I'd say. While chatting with its owner a little, I learnt that it was a Borzoi dog. The attitude and expression on the dog's face made me feel like taking a picture. Here, I tried to emphasize the contrast between the beauty of the animal ( thanks Fred!) and the fact that it looked a little miserable and uncomfortable after bathing in the ocean which you can catch a glimpse of in the background. The fact that it seemed to look for shelter in a corner behind a bush seemed to reinforce the idea. Enventually, I tried to get the same opposition in the way I post-processed the picture. Here I would need your advice, but to me it seemed that I could try to suggest a classic treatment (thanks Jack for pointing this out!) that could fit the dog's flair, and at the same time introduce imperfections and dirty the image to suggest its uncomfort and sad attitude and eyes. Do you think that I went too far with those flaws in the process (visible effects, stained colors and parts, blown areas etc...) or do you find it relevant here? Thanks again for your comments...

To me it looks realy a miserable dog, that looks bad, lost , wet and starved. Its body transmites all that,. There is something very touching in this dog's image and the dark BG accentuates it,as well as your post processing that fits imo the situation. I also think that you have photogarphed it as it touched you too, and it will touch every human being that thinks animals needs to be treated with love and mercy.( I have had some dogs and a cat in my life)

Now, as you ask about it: I realize I wasn't clear enough in my previous comment. Personally I vastly prefer this muted color version to your previous B&W rendering as here the muted colors are emphasizing your vision, message, rather than just be another B&W convertion of any color original with unknown color palette. Don't get me wrong, I do respect Black 'n' White, but it's not necessary the miracle key to the world of fine art, IMHO. In other words, your presentation is spot on.

BTW, somehow this dog seems to be repentant, mumbling; "Did I have to do this swimming just to feel like this now?"

Pnina, thanks. I'm glad you like it. In fact, the owner of the dog was a very nice woman who had a passion for her dog. The Borzoi was in great shape, a magnificent animal treated with loving care. Thanks for being so receptive to the mood. Markku, thanks. Well, you know how much I like colour too. It is true that I first posted a B&W version which was a crappy one before uploading this one which may be a little less worse. Anyway, I'm not totally satisfied with it either as far as editing is concerned.

What a beauty this photo is. The color is what strikes me first, soft, definitely not the typical Photoshop over-the-top fare. The blurring on the edges helps direct the eye to that wonderful dog, dripping, happy, presumably shame-free, a bright spot in a dim world.

Thanks for the encouraging words. I was a bit hesitant about the treatment and doubted the results. I'm really glad you like it.

This is a real beauty...the light, the colors...the dog attitude...it has a tale like quality and made me think of painting...a wonderful image Laurent...

I really couldn't agree more with the above commentary. It is truly a fine image and one you should be very proud of.

thanks a lot. So nice hearing from you both. I'm posting much less these days and hope you've been doing fine.

Truly beautiful and emotive work. Simply gorgeous.

Jim, thanks for the nice words. Very much appreciated.

 

fine art

 

Years after its' making -  just about the finest dog portrait ever on PN.

A belated congratulations Laurent.

 

Best, David