Last week, I posted an ad we had created for our new Great Dane advertising client, Drake (Ch Raintree Erinwood's Dixie Magic Dragon). For the past two days (one more to go), I've been shooting a Cluster of Great Dane Specialties being held in Ocala, FL. Since Drake was there to show, I used this opportunity to start adding images to our portfolio for use in his advertising campaign over the next year. The place where the shows are being held has a lovely area within a quadrangle with Azaleas in full bloom, lots of Spanish moss and a real "Florida Look". It made a lovely backdrop for some portraits of Drake. Here's a sample of a stacked shot.



And here's a head study.



I used that same location for the show formals. Here's a sample of the Best Of Breed-Winning girl from today's show.



This image is very roughly cropped and adjusted and I haven't added in the sign as yet.

While at the show, I also had an opportunity to take a shot or two of some of the "observers" in the audience. Here's the "and More . . ."



I was told by the owner that reception of HD programming was terrific with that get up .

Thought I'd share.

Jim

The first shot is absolutely beautiful! A little pp and it will be good to go.

It's too bad how they have to crop the ears on some of these dogs. Is that a qualification in the show ring? Or is this just owner preference? Great Danes especially look much better with their normal ears. That's just my opinion.

Love it Jim, so sorry I missed this show

Jim, that first shot in particular is a real winner!!!

Those dogs amaze me at their size...he probably weighs twice as much as my two staffords and whippet altoghether

Fantastic shots!

Ear-cropping is a matter of breed standard like tail docking in Rotties. Frankly, given their primary reason for existing as a breed -- protection through intimidation -- I think the cropped ears make the dog much more imposing than natural ears.

In Danes, Dobes and Boxers particularly, ears are cropped to show them in Conformation. Many of the pet-quality dogs do not get cropped. It all depends on how the Standard is written as to whether it's mandatory for showing or optional. There were 4 dogs entered in the Specialties this weekend with natural ears.

Drake would definitely not look as regal with natural ears.

Jim

Jim - I should have looked at all the posts before I asked for Dane photos!!

For what it's worth, Danes may be shown cropped or uncropped. Personally, I'll never have anything but a cropped Dane. In my last litter, I only cropped the show prospects and left the companion puppies uncropped.

Very nice shot of Drake. A little PP and it will be gorgeous. The BOB shot is of a handler and bitch that is up in my area -- well almost, they are in Indiana -- very nice.

Patrice and Jeff come down to these shows every year and it's great to catch up with them. I shot their daughter in her very first show as a Junior Handler.

I have 30 shots of Drake that I took in various locations/situations so we could start the portfolio. As I post them for the owners, I'll share them on this list as well. I wanted to get ring shots of him since I hadn't seen him show yet and I wanted the owners and handler to see how he looked in the ring as opposed to "posing for pictures". It's amazing how different some dogs can look in those two situations.

I also wanted the traditional "beauty" shots of head & shoulders of both Drake and BJ. Got a ton. And, finally, I wanted to see what angle is best for formals -- 3/4, 7/8 or full profile. That kind of information is good for the handler to have for any photographer when he starts winning a lot.

BTW, Drake greeted me by putting his head on my shoulder and nuzzling my cheek. He's a very confident young man who thinks that life is a wonderful place to be. He's going to be a lot of fun.

Jim

wonderful shots...what a beautiful dog!

liz

Hey Jim,

Are you shooting the outdoor shots natural light, or do you typically add an amount of supplemental? When I look at the Dane, it looks like there is a puff of light on the coat, but the owner looks like she is lit naturally...so I am assuming I am wrong some. :P

James