Sylvia Williams
August 2026 - Who's a Good Boy?
About the Image(s)
My photoclub challenge this month is Pets - your or someone else's. When traveling though Charleston, WV we were greeted by this dog as we walked down the street. Both he and his man were happy to have their photos taken.
Nikon Z7ii
1/500 sec at f/9.0
62mm
Nikkorz 24-70mm f/4 S
15 comments posted
Sylvia... great use of depth-of-field in this photo. I took out a few background distractions and darkened the left side so the attention is all on the dog. The focus is razor sharp. Good job...... Posted: 08/01/2026 15:52:02
Thanks Bruce -
I will certainly remove the distractions. Posted: 08/10/2026 22:27:38
I will certainly remove the distractions. Posted: 08/10/2026 22:27:38
Hi Sylvia,
Love the dog's happy expression. The fine details on his fur and his whiskers are tack sharp. You captured the dog's colors perfectly. He is well exposed. I agree with Bruce's suggestion and would like to add another step. The orange poles in the background are a bit distracting. Perhaps darkening the orange poles and also the red ketchup bottles would eliminate those distractions. Great shot with a good story. I like it. Posted: 08/04/2026 00:21:11
Love the dog's happy expression. The fine details on his fur and his whiskers are tack sharp. You captured the dog's colors perfectly. He is well exposed. I agree with Bruce's suggestion and would like to add another step. The orange poles in the background are a bit distracting. Perhaps darkening the orange poles and also the red ketchup bottles would eliminate those distractions. Great shot with a good story. I like it. Posted: 08/04/2026 00:21:11
Thanks Barbara - great suggestions! Posted: 08/10/2026 22:29:32
Sylvia, Who's a Good Boy captures the dogs' seemingly about business personality. The image is very clear, with beautiful fur color and captures the dog's striking stare. I first saw the dog then the green vest and Club K9 tag which suggests a service dog. The man in the background has his arm in a sling embroidered with maybe a military emblem.
I agree with the others in blurring the background. Consider sharpening the dog tag and man's emblem and adding a vignette.
Who's a Good Boy is a very moving portrait of a service dog and a veteran ... possibly? This dog is about business. Great photojournalism image!
Posted: 08/04/2026 17:25:16
I agree with the others in blurring the background. Consider sharpening the dog tag and man's emblem and adding a vignette.
Who's a Good Boy is a very moving portrait of a service dog and a veteran ... possibly? This dog is about business. Great photojournalism image!
Posted: 08/04/2026 17:25:16
Yvonne,
I had not even taken notice of the dogs K9 tags. I've seen dogs wear vests like this who are just out walking, but I agree that the green vest along with K9 tag suggests that he could be a service dog. However, he was VERY friendly. I will ask my husband if he remembers anything that the dog's man said. Posted: 08/10/2026 22:31:37
I had not even taken notice of the dogs K9 tags. I've seen dogs wear vests like this who are just out walking, but I agree that the green vest along with K9 tag suggests that he could be a service dog. However, he was VERY friendly. I will ask my husband if he remembers anything that the dog's man said. Posted: 08/10/2026 22:31:37
In any event, you captured the dog's personality. He's got a story to tell. Posted: 08/12/2026 00:07:06
Sylvia, I love dogs, and you can't help but fall in love with this one. You've captured everything about him perfectly, from his gaze, to his and, to his slightly open mouth with its typical dog tongue, right down to his wonderful coat. The fur is so detailed; every single hair is visible, as are the whiskers on his snout.
I like that the dog isn't distracted by his surroundings. So it must either be well-trained or a service dog. And when you see the owner's green T-shirt, you immediately think of a human-dog team.
I like the suggestions from the previous reviewers. Blurring the background slightly and focusing on the dominant colors would bring the dog even more into focus.
I can also imagine a square crop.
Perhaps that's an idea you'd like as well. Posted: 08/08/2026 18:46:23
I like that the dog isn't distracted by his surroundings. So it must either be well-trained or a service dog. And when you see the owner's green T-shirt, you immediately think of a human-dog team.
I like the suggestions from the previous reviewers. Blurring the background slightly and focusing on the dominant colors would bring the dog even more into focus.
I can also imagine a square crop.
Perhaps that's an idea you'd like as well. Posted: 08/08/2026 18:46:23
Sabine... I agree that a tighter crop is preferable. The left quarter of the image really adds nothing of value. A 4x5 crop leaves a bit more breathing room on the right side of the image. I like 4x5 crops since I print a lot of my work at 16"x20". Posted: 08/09/2026 16:47:21
Bruce, The dog needs more space on the right! That's right.
I'm curious to see what Sylvia thinks of our suggestions. Posted: 08/10/2026 19:37:20
I'm curious to see what Sylvia thinks of our suggestions. Posted: 08/10/2026 19:37:20
I will go with a tighter crop. I do like the square. Posted: 08/10/2026 22:32:19
I went with a stronger crop and added a hefty vignette. I don't love the guy in the background and tried to make him fade as much as possible. Posted: 08/10/2026 21:18:11
Douglas -
I do like your edit! Thank you
Posted: 08/10/2026 22:32:52
I do like your edit! Thank you
Posted: 08/10/2026 22:32:52
All,
Thank you so much for your comments! I am going to take them all to heart and incorporate most if not all of your suggestions into my final submission. Posted: 08/10/2026 22:34:01
Thank you so much for your comments! I am going to take them all to heart and incorporate most if not all of your suggestions into my final submission. Posted: 08/10/2026 22:34:01
Sylvia, what a great shot of a good looking dog! Love the expression on his face as well as his owner(?) looking on. I think I like Sabine's square crop on this. It helps reduce the distractions from the background and puts the focus on the dog. Great shot and good luck with your photo club. Posted: 08/15/2026 20:26:58