Comment from TheCompletePicture
I rather like the concept here, a very cheeky face and the shadow adds interest. The off centre muzzle but eyes looking at the camera work well. The sand on the nose brings a story to the photo too.

Good colours, looks like a golden hour light, although the sand seems to have lost a lot of detail and the image is a little soft which would generate an extra star between them.

 Comment Written 01-Oct-2008

---

reply by the author on 01-Oct-2008

Thanks very much for your review and suggestions. The sand is an problem because of its reflection. I surly will take it in consideration Usually I avoid photos in bright sunlight since even filters have trouble with beach sand.
The settings of the camera weren't ideal since these unplanned action shots [true he sits for a second] give much time for adjustments.

Comment from Dazzleme
The angle for this shot is very good. Love the overall compostion here as I find it amusing! The shadow of the dog in the sand is a good feature for this. I just find your overall light is a bit bright.

 Comment Written 30-Sep-2008

---

reply by the author on 01-Oct-2008

Thank you Dazzleme. You are right: The light is a problem. I usually avoid to shut on the beach in bright sunlight and between 8:00am and 5:00pm. It is just to light much here. I played around what gives the light sepia appearance.

Comment from wingsoflove
Now look at this beauty with his eyes looking mischievous. I read your story and what a story. I wanted to cry. Luck is a good name for this one. I am so happy that you are blessed with this one. You captured a wonderful focus and angle shot. Thank you

 Comment Written 30-Sep-2008

---

reply by the author on 01-Oct-2008

Thank you so much for your generous review and the beautiful words about Lucky

Comment from amanda andrews
i have just read you notes wot horried people ??
he is really lucky one to be alive but most of all to have you!
he looks full of fun now and bags of engery!! love his pose nice anlge
did you get out of the way in time b4 he sneezed the sand all over
amanda

 Comment Written 30-Sep-2008

---

reply by the author on 30-Sep-2008

Thanks for your generous and review and your very kind comments. YES he is bags of energy and NO I'm not fast enough: he always get the sand all over me and the camera sneezing or not. I'm just lucky if he shakes the water out before he gets to me.

Comment from mackpwo
Look into my eyes...and ignore the evidence of any faceplant in the sand! There is a lot of personality captured in this photo, and a great connection between pup and photographer.

 Comment Written 29-Sep-2008

---

reply by the author on 29-Sep-2008

Thank you so much for your warm hearted review. Yes you are right he has a lot of personality and there is a great connection between the pup and the photographer.

Comment from smallwoodphoto
It definitely sounds like Lucky is REALLY lucky to be alive. I love this picture. It looks like Lucky is trying to tell his story with his eyes. I am sure it would be an unbelievable story if he really could tell it!

 Comment Written 29-Sep-2008

---

reply by the author on 29-Sep-2008

Thank you so much for viewing and your warm hearted comments. I'm with you: If he could tell the story would be unbelievable.

Comment from jhillman
This is a wonderful, above avwerage pet photograph with plenty of detail and superb presentation. Focus is excellent. You have captured every detail and the composition is very good indeed. Lighting management is impressive. I particularly like the sand on the dog's nose

 Comment Written 29-Sep-2008

---

reply by the author on 29-Sep-2008

Thank you so much for your generous review. I liked the sand on his nose too. That and the mischievous look in his eyes was why I post the photo for the contest.

Comment from bedo92000
So cute! The lighting is so good in this. I love that you framed it with the dog to the left and including the shadow. Very artistic. It does seems slightly blurry. But the sand on the dog's nose is priceless. Thanks for sharing.

 Comment Written 29-Sep-2008

---

reply by the author on 29-Sep-2008

Thank you so much for viewing and your kind comments. You may be right with the blurry truth I can't see it on the original but I had trouble with my program resizing and needed thee attempts with the upload. Something may went wrong

Comment from SRM
This is a cute shot for the pets entry, seems to have too much light around him.

Initial Impact - 4
Creativity or uniqueness - 4
Technical Skill - 4
Focus - 5
Depth of Field - 5
Composition - 4
Lighting - 5

 Comment Written 28-Sep-2008

---

reply by the author on 29-Sep-2008

Thank you for your generous review. That light down here is an ongoing problem especially on the beach even using filters. Everything flashes back. Usually I avoid beach photos between 8:00am and 5:00pm.

Comment from ZenTrip
Yes, dear lucky, with kangaroo and mutt and the other hundred breeds stirred into the gene pool.

Finding a home with the two of you and the cats has to be part of the series in his long lists of "lucks." What a story of his life up until now. Speaks very well to the adage that a dog's best friend is his human.

Sounds im-paws-ible. If you ever get a chance to get hold of the book - The Art of Racing In The Rain, I think you will love it. It's life from a dog's point of view.

He's beautiful with those big brown eyes and the sand all over his nose. Love the shot as you have framed him with the paw prints in the background and his shadow stretched across the sand.

Lovely colors and sharply focused to give nice impact.

And that licks of love tongue with grains of sand. Best of show in my books!

 Comment Written 28-Sep-2008

---

reply by the author on 29-Sep-2008

Thank you for your throughout review. Thank you again for seeing something nobody else seams to note. The paw prints. Yes that was intentional. I wanted to show he was jumping around there shortly before. I was almost thinking I did wrong. Tor some people it seams to be just sand with to much light on it. It's the same as your stones are just ugly stones for some. Why is it that we see different? Is it just emotional or has it something in our brain-eye connection what do that? Or is our way of thinking just different? There is an article on line you should read: "The Photographer's Guide to the Eye" by Niel Matthews, August 2008 [www.popphoto.com]. If you do read it tell me what you think about.
Lucky says thanks for the compliment, he knows that he is beautiful but he likes to hear it from people. He looks with his big eyes right in yours and send a lick with his sandy tongue.
Maybe Lucky was lucky to find us but we are the luckier ones to find a dog as him especially after loosing Crosby, or 16 year old Collie [a rescue] last year.

reply by ZenTrip on 30-Sep-2008

The sand holds much more than sunlight, cleo - Lucky's paws are there for prosperity now - at least in the photo. You had the right feeling.

I will go to popphoto and read the article on 'seeing'. Will let you know how it hits me. I'm sure it will be good. I'm kinda' big on how to see photos - not only for improving mine but on how to see others.

Sounds like mutual Luck and mutual Love. Such a nice thought.

So much enjoyed getting to meet Lucky. Lovely shot - thanks for sharing him with us!

reply by the author on 30-Sep-2008

Thank you so much. You have always the right words.
I have the feeling you will see Lucky again. He runs to often in front of the camera. I'm unable to resist.

reply by ZenTrip on 30-Sep-2008

You are so welcome, cleo. Please share him again.

reply by the author on 30-Sep-2008

I will chare. :)