SWMBO has spoken: we’re going to get Gretchen to paint a portrait of the dog and today is the day to get the picture to paint from, and you’re only doing six other things right now, so this is the chosen moment. Move it!
No photographic rationale would dissuade her, so even though it was the middle of the day and the light from a cloudless sky was way to contrasty and coming directly from overhead, and since we just work here, the five minute portrait session was convened across the creek from the house. And now we have to chose.
I’ve narrowed it down to the three you see here. Any preference? Might want to see larger images in this SmugMug gallery. Please leave your choice here, or comment on the gallery page. It always helps to have other heads/eyes/taste involved.
You can see other dog portraits Gretchen St. Lawrence has done (and other art subjects as well) on her web page.
We will, of course, have a photo of the finished painting here when it is completed.
# 3 is my favorite, it has the look of nobility. Afterall, he is King of the manor.
Between #2 and #3…I think my vote goes to #3
#3. He’s at his best and looks different from all other yellow labs.
Golly, Fred, I am overwhelmed by your tribute and thank you for your kind words. My preference is #1 but they all are fabulous pictures of “The King of Dogs”.
I’m going with 3 also. Sorry that I missed taking fall pictures with you this year.
Number 3 by far the best.
#3. It’s not even close.
#3, both in terms of Tsuga’s expression & the background colors. It’s just an all-around pleasing portrait.
If its a boy I vote for #2… #3 if its a girl.
3 is more feminine pose.
My 2 cents…
Definitely #3!
#3, no question. I like the way the sun shines on the dog. I also like the regal line that flows from her head down to her chest. She looks strong, alert and ready to go in that photo.
I agree with #3. Something in the eyes speaks to me.
Love #3!
#3 gets my vote
My husband and I like #3 the best in the smaller shots, but in the larger picture #2 is also appealing.
Sorry. Take the collar off and do it again.
If you’re paying for the portrait you need to get it right.
#3 is the best positioning, and I love it!
#3 for me too, but without the collar. Lucky dog.
I just love # 3 – he is just a beautiful dog!
I also like #3 the best. What a great looking dog!
I can’t wait to see the finished portrait, Gretchen does such a wonderful job of capturing the essence of the animals spirit!!
They are all three nice shots. I did like the forth one with his mouth wide open in obvious boredom. In my opinion #3 is the better of the ones you have listed. #1 makes him look old and I don’t like the color in #2. The pose in #3 is that of a young adult with something of interest in his sight.
A quick note on your book, it is an enjoyable read and I keep it where folks can leaf through it (no not in the bathroom). I look forward to your next work be it a book on photography or one of stories
Oh my, I always seem to be the odd one out. Sorry, but I like #1 the best. In that one, Tsuga has that intense focus in his eyes that dogs get when they have espied a rabbit or a deer or another dog. I love that.