Hi Folks, I did another sitting at the studio today; this time with white and black backgrounds. Based on past suggestions, I used a long lens and changed the light setups. This time I used a key and main lights in umbrellas (key in white and main in silver). I did not light the black background but added an overhead light to add a bit of light and separation between the dog and the background-it was in a softbox.

Really appreciate any comments or suggestions.

Picture number two

Picture number three

I think #1 looks a little soft in the eyes and for some reason it looks noisy to me. I like #2 a lot -- but I'm a sucker for a black background -- and #3 is very nice, too. Good job.

John,
like Julie, I prefer #2 but 2 & 3 are both winners depending on whether you like high-key or low-key. The lighting looks spot on to me. Although I might punch up the saturation just a bit. But that's a matter of personal taste.

As for the dog, great expression but don't walk him in a strong breeze. Those ears would make the Flying Nun envious .

Overall, nice job. Did you shoot these solo or did you have an assistant?

Jim

Thanks for the comments; the owner helped corral the dog a little. I did use a variety of noise makers for this shoot and they worked well.

I admit liking number 2, also; there is just something special about low-key black backgrounds. I need to get a full-length black background, this one is a photek 5X6 backdrop for head shots that resides on a single lightstand/tripod with a single top bar and a bottom bar.

I also learned on this shoot the difficulities of photographing male dogs, it is not so easy to pose them to hide the offending appendage. I know it is possible to hide it behind one of the front legs but it is not so easy to pose the dog and have him stay in that position. Of course, I am working with untrained dogs that do not "stay on command".

I wonder, would it be better to turn off the modeling lights so that the dogs did not feel the "shoot area" was the "target area". I noticed the past two dogs were not happy about being in the spotlight, they did not seem to mind the flash, just did not like the bright lights. I do not need the modeling lights as I have overhead lights to provide ambient light the room (but the ambinet light would not factor into the exposure at the shutter speed/apetures I am shooting at, I could use them and not use the modeling lights). Any thoughts?

This afternoon, I have an outdoor sitting with three small dogs. A long hair Dachshund, a taco bell dog (Chihuahua) and a third small dog (unknow breed or I forgot the breed). I am not planning a group shot, just individual shots.

John,
the advantage of modeling lights is that they close down the pupil so that more of the iris shows in the eyes. The dimmer the ambient light, the wider the pupil when the strobes go off and the greater the chance of red-eye. Try it both ways and see what works with each individual dog. I've found that when the ambient light level is high enough, I really don't need the modeling lights to focus and the eyes look fine.

Good luck with the outdoor shots today. It's going to be a challenge because the weather calls for overcast and windy. The good news is that it will be cool. If the Chihuahua is a short hair, that may mean he/she will be shaking so take that into account.

Good thing you're not doing a group shot -- they can be a bear! My record is 7 Duck Tolling Retrievers in one shot. I had a full head of dark hair before that session. When you meet me you'll appreciate that comment.

Please share some of the shots from today.

Jim

I will most likely shoot the Chihuahua inside as it is an indoor dog. I have me this Chihauhua before, I think it shakes naturally.

Good note about the pupil size, I will do some test do see if the modeling lights are needed for pupil size, maybe there is enough light with ambient to keep the pupils normal size.