Day 2 - Close Up Shots

I thought I'd start out using the Close up Basic Mode, take a picture, and then see if I could better the picture. I really need a book that says..put your settings on this, this, and this. Since I don't. This is the best way I thought I could learn.
After taking 50+ pictures here is the one I liked the best.



I thought wow, this is a great shot! Very excited and so sure of myself I uploaded the picture to the Digital Photography School and asked for critique.
Sure that I would hear..great shot! I was surprised and a little bruised when I heard "this is
boring"
boring?

Here was her advice...
1) You need to get on the dog's level. - Try putting the camera on the floor
2) Try to focus on the nose.
3) Get rid of the flash and try natural light
4) Try a wider aperture = smaller f-number

After the initial shock. I gave myself a prep talk..if you don't want someone's opinion ..don't ask for it..Then I started to see things from her angle..she's right..it is like 100 other shots of everyone's pets..

I thought I was at the dogs level by bending down. Her suggestion put the camera on the floor.
Ok..so with my bruised feelings taken under control I decided I'm going to work on this and wow her with the next one.
100 shots later and a dog that now avoids me like the devil! Here is my best one.


Now..this is a much greater picture! I love her suggestion on focusing on the nose..Such a better shot!
But will it wow her?

I know it won't..The background is way to busy.
I really need to get PunkyT outside, but outside the crazy dog will not stay still long enough for me to snap
So back to work on day 3!
Never knew photography could be this hard!

oh, and as I was playing around I just have to share this shot..blurry..out of focus..but so so funny!