I need to work on matching the lighting a bit better I think, but not bad for a quick job.

Jim - I think this backdrop would work if it was just a head shot, but it looks like the dog is floating in space. The blue one you posted the other day gives me the same problem. I've actually been mulling over how one would correct the blue backdrop to kind of give the bottom of it a perspective so that it looks like a floor rather than just a straight wall. You'd have to match the perspective of a section of the bottom with the perspective of how the dog is laying. Could be difficult. Both backdrops would be great for head shots, though.

Thanks Julie. Those are some of the reasons I'm starting to work with this stuff "on the side." I need to get things all worked out before I try to offer anything like this.

On the pure blue like I posted the other day, I can lower the opacity of the clouds layer to show some of the curvature of the backdrop before the filter. For that one, the background wasn't replaced. I could also go with a little less even lighting to give some depth.

For the one above, I'm thinking about a sled to position the dog on. It will take a bit more work blending the shadows and light to the background to make it work, but I think I can kill the "floating" look.

It was even worse before I put the dogs tail an part of his hip "behind" the sign.

Here are a couple before and afters:





I think if I let some more of the shadows come through the cloud layer, it might make the dog look a little more anchored. The contact shadows are probably key.

P.S. Ignore the botched ear and piece of leash I missed

Jim, have you tried Fluid Mask? It's all about the edges and how they transition. Fluid Mask does a great job where things don't look like they are floating.... I have it and use it on occasion. I have transitioned to trying to shoot more of what I want vs doing the PP.

I looked at the tutorials for Fluid Mask yesterday. It seems like a good solution for more complex masking, but I think it is probably overkill for blue / green screen work.

I am looking into DPmatte http://www.dvgarage.com/prod/prod.php?prod=dpmatte

If I didn't have to use it with Aperture, I'd have tried it out already.

I hear you on getting it the way you want in camera, but somehow I don't see giant candy canes and north pole signs in my travel plans Of course, I could build a set, but BG replacement gives so many more options. For my wildlife stuff, I'm swinging wildly to the side of no playing around PS to include cropping if I can help it.

I suppose I have to find a balance. These type images aren't supposed to look real enough to fool anyone, but they shouldn't look cheesy or like magic carpet rides either.

Hey Jim, I see you're from Virginia, may I ask what area?
I was at the Pet Expo in McLean today and took a photo of a dog with what I believe to be the exact same red & white heart bandana. Any chance you were there with a different dog?

Hi Anthony,

I'm in Fairfax. The dog you photographed was probably with HART, a local rescue organization. The one in this photo is a HART dog as well, waiting for a home.

Were you at the expo taking photos as a business or just for fun? If you're a working pro in the area, I'd love to get together and chat about a few collaborative ideas I have.

Very cool. My wife and I work with FOHA (Friends of Homeless Animals) and both of our rottweilers are from rescue.

FYI, I sent you a PM.

Hey, that's cool. I did some work with them too. I have yet to be able to get out there for a big shoot of the adoptable dogs though. Things keep coming up. I'm also supposed to work with them at Barktober fest.