Would like to make this more of a "portrait'

[Pat L]

Hi,
I would like to have this shot of our greyhound, Trick, framed for my husband. I tried using Elements today -- I used the magnetic lasso, and the applied Gaussian blur to the background. It didn't look right. I think the background should be blurred or something, to keep the focus on Trick.

I am including the original untouched, and one that I have played around with. Thanks in advance if anyone would like to take a shot.
Pat
http://s461.photobucket.com/albums/qq339/plineback/

 

[DarknGorgeous]

I gave it a shot:

 

[Pat L]

Oh, I like that. It makes the background much less distracting.

Thanks,

 

[DarknGorgeous]

Your welcome.

 

[TUX424]

i wish i still had my dog
good work o the crop btw

 

[lzydaz]

 

[Pat L]

Thanks! That looks great, also! Now I have decisions to make... :

 

[firebird1984]

so this is my shot at it

 

[Timinator]

 

[Ls3D]

I went for a natural color space, selective sharpening & dodge & burn - desaturated a bit.. Liked the fence so kept a bit of focus there. Great doggy! -Shea

 

[ATXshots]

how did you fix his ear?