I agree what you are saying about everyone having their own vision. I did a lot of typical type of outdoor shots while learning. But they just don't excite me. Same with painting, I always strive for something that touches emotions (hopefully not the gag reflex type of emotions LOL) and something that might make people think "I have not seen this before." Not that I achieve it but that is always my goal.

That is why I keep experimenting with the lighting outside and have some ideas for unusual poses, etc.

With the studio shots, I am still really green at that so the shots I've taken so far have been the usual set the dog up with a backdrop and take it's photo with typical lighting. When I look at my photos, I am so uninspired...they are so boring. I feel like I've seen them a million times before (and often better than mine!) I am wanting to branch out and get something unusual and hopefully a little more exciting. Which of course won't please everyone or as many people as the usual shots probably will but I have to make it fun for myself too. I'm guessing the ones that might have more of a "wow" factor (if any!) will be less per shoot than the other way but I'm excited to try.

So I do welcome any thoughts on anything I take as it would be a good basis to judge on how many people like a certain look and how many don't. And I am always eager to hear any technical suggestions too!

*I am a sponge* (LOL)

I was invited to go up and get a lesson from this guy. Some of his subject matter I would not be interested in shooting (I'll stick with animals LOL) but I just love his "vision" and some of his edgy shots with interesting lighting. I'd like to learn how he does his and then incorporate it into my own "thing".

http://www.propagandafoto.com/home.htm

I'd also like to experiment with natural backgrounds and strobe lights rather than backdrops. Outdoors at night, etc. I'm having a friend bring her mini horse over to my house and see if we can get some shots of him with a backdrop and strobes like with the dogs.

I have just learned (and correct me if I'm wrong) that you can hand hold the camera for strobe shots because even though you might be shooting at 1/125 or so, it won't blur as if you were shooting that in natural light because it is the duration of the strobe that dicatates how long the image is being recorded and that could equate to around 1/1000 normally. If this is true this opens the door to my earlier hopes of doing some action in front of a backdrop. And I'm also anxious to hand hold for studio shots and not be tied to the tripod.

So much fun stuff!