Eddie at sunset
 

Do you guys have any examples of where the background makes the picture? Post them!

I'm posting this on "Photography Talk" in hopes of sparking some discussion on what makes this picture work.

I took it yesterday on our daily walk -- nothing planned. I happened to see the sunset at its peak and I happened to see a mound of snow that I could set Eddie on, so I started snapping away. The only thing I planned was to carry my camera.

What I found interesting is I got a ton of Facebook likes -- maybe more than any picture or video I've ever posted. My question: Why?

If you toss out the sunset, I've taken better pictures of Eddie before. He's just standing there expressionless. So I figured the sunset is really what makes it. But if that's the case, would I have gotten the same number of likes if I'd just taken a picture of the sunset? No! It wasn't that special, and there are houses and telephone lines in there too.

I'm convinced that a big reason the photo got so many likes is because I used fill flash to make Eddie stand out in the relative darkness. It was sort of an afterthought. Most of the pictures I took used no flash -- I generally don't like flash because it removes natural shadows and makes pictures look phony.

But in this case, Eddie's face was too dark and muddy in the first pictures I took. I decided to turn on the flash so his face would pop out. I honestly think that's why this picture got so many likes.

What I find interesting is that the background and the technique made the picture -- not necessarily the subject.

Got any cool backgrounds that made your pictures better? Post them here!

That is an amazing photo, and at first glance I thought it was too good to be true. It looks like you used Photoshop to change the background.

Just WOW!

You calling me a liar?? :O LOL, no, your reaction is right. It's the flash that makes it look a little unnatural. The shadows aren't where they're supposed to be for a backlit subject.

It's a tradeoff. Do I want a perfectly natural scene or a clear face?

Only photoshopping I did was hitting "Enhance" in iPhoto. It bumps up the colors and contrast a little.

There are a couple of things that make this picture really special. One, of course, is the beautiful sunset in the background, and how it is a bit blurred, but very colorful. Also, Eddie is in full focus, standing there very proud with his signature snowbeard :p. This one is definitely a winner. I think I see next year's calendar submission ;)

Well done!! What an awesome pic.

Here is a sunset picture I took last Friday in Jamaica. The flash picked up the green of the palm frond, which otherwise would not have shown up. Unfortunately, there is not a Yorkie in the picture:

Exactly what I'm talking about! I like the green, and without the flash it would have been a black silhouette.

Here's one of the shots with no fill flash. You can see how not only is his face darker, but the sharpness isn't there either.

However, it does look more natural.

Of the two, I think the top one is a much better picture despite the flash issues.

This pic was taken on Fort Myers Beach at sunset. I love it cause you can see the shadowing of two boats out on the water.

Attachment 394054

I love sunset photos, and I'm going to have to get one with a doggie or two in it. But for now here's a few from my back yard:

dog
 

I love this picture!You should definitely re-print this and frame it. So beautiful. I would send it to the dog calendar and have them use it. All Yorkie lovers, the Page A Day calendar publisher is Workman has a darling picture of a Yorkie on the front of the box! This is my favorite dog calendar. All my friends get one for Christmas. Get this, you will love it. Every day a new dog picture and info. Hope you like it. I found some at Kohls and at the Barnes and Noble book store.

Agreed. I love pictures where it's not just one subject that makes it, but the whole thing as this one. Great example

I was all set to compliment you until you rubbed it in that this is your BACKYARD! LOL, I'll let you slide. Somebody has to live in paradise!

It looks like you used some flash in at least the first picture. Correct? How about the second. The foreground looks a little lighter than I would suspect.

Awesome shots.