Here's a great dane whose portrait I took with the D70 and Speedlights. I had the SB-800 off-camera via cord into a small softbox, and a 42" reflector low-right, with a diffused slave Speedlight firing into it.

This is a really lovely portrait. I really like it against the dark background

Hey Chris,

I also really like this shot. What do you think it would look like if you kicked up the midtones just a slight bit?

-JM

I was thinking the same thing James.

Great shot, though - very nice detail...and the expression is fantatstic.

I actually played with the image a bit last night. I am going to post it later when I get home (hope you don't mind, Chris.). I thought that it came out awesome.

-JM

Thanks folks - I loved the expression too...and YES, definitely post the adjustments! Please!

Hey Chris,

This is what I did with your image - just a slight beefing up of the midtones. What do you think?

-JM

I think it definitely helps! Overall, the whole imge becomes a litle brighter, and in the end I prefer the impact of your version. I think I toyed with the idea, thinking a darker, more contrasty finish might prevail, but now I'm sure - you're right!

Nice james.

Chris - what was the backdrop? I think with the boost to the midtones I'm seeing a smidge of the material now - nice as it seems to add overall septh for my eye.

The "dude's" left ear has a slightly better defined "edge" now, too.

...I simply love dogs!

Duane, the backdrop is a large piece of black velvet that I bought at a local fabric store. A "scrap," I think it cost about $16. It really sucks up light, with nearly zero reflectance.