Ray Berry
July 2026 - Ray Berry - Dog Tired
About the Image(s)
This image was taken at Mission California Dog show 23 May 2026.
I was photographing some dogs and I noticed this guy sleeping. I kept watching him, hoping he would not wake up. Once I got the dog photos, I moved to frame him. His wife was busy in the background and I was waiting until she bent down so only he was in the frame.
I was going for a b/w image with heavy contrast when I saw him. I knew I could darken the background and have him stand out. I’m a big fan of Alan Schaller and love his heavy contrast images.
F8.0 - ISO 800 - SS1,000 - 100mm
4 comments posted
Hi Ray - I love the low-key effect for this image, really well done. There is some noise in the image that I think only conflicts with his skin (nothing else). I am wondering if that is from the low-res thumbnail? Posted: 07/02/2026 15:17:54
Hi Ray, and welcome to the group! A great catch and a very effective post-production: it feels like the tired man has given up and drifted into his own world for a moment of rest. I love the low-key high-contrast approach, too - is this close to film noir? It would be interesting to see the original, too, and learn about the processing steps. And thank you for introducing Alan Schaller to us! Posted: 07/07/2026 06:38:21
Hi Ray. Strong composition and nice negative space to isolate that isolates the subject. I really like the deep blacks and bright highlights. For me, the texture or grain on the skin gives the portrait a cinematic, almost raw quality instead of a clean, polished look. You've taken a nice portrait and turned it into a visual statement. Nicely done. Posted: 07/07/2026 22:34:11
Hello Ray,
I like this image. I look at 'rules' for "good" portraits as useful suggestions to help, but are not cast in concrete. This is an example of when breaking the rules works, in this case we cannot see his face. Which to my thinking turns this from being a portrait to a story telling image of an old man taking a brief nap on the run, very effect to my mind.
Two suggestions:
1)It looks as if this was a close crop leaving a very "grainy" appearing image - might there be a way to smooth it out?
2) Perhaps to bring up the light in the shadows to see a little more detail of his face?
To my eye a very solid story image, potentially a wall hanger. Thank you for sharing it with us Ray. Posted: 07/12/2026 00:40:20
I like this image. I look at 'rules' for "good" portraits as useful suggestions to help, but are not cast in concrete. This is an example of when breaking the rules works, in this case we cannot see his face. Which to my thinking turns this from being a portrait to a story telling image of an old man taking a brief nap on the run, very effect to my mind.
Two suggestions:
1)It looks as if this was a close crop leaving a very "grainy" appearing image - might there be a way to smooth it out?
2) Perhaps to bring up the light in the shadows to see a little more detail of his face?
To my eye a very solid story image, potentially a wall hanger. Thank you for sharing it with us Ray. Posted: 07/12/2026 00:40:20