My friend had me take some shots at the lake, of her Chinese Crested puppies. She has one adult that she is about to finish and these two puppies(unrelated) the male is younger than the female.

I probably should have used a flash, but, thought I could position them in the light well enough

Male(Monkey)


Female(possum)

Julie,
good shots. I really like the shot of the girl although I'd like it more if her rear had been pulled out so the topline didn't look so "roachy".

Technically, the photos are lovely. From a breed perspective, they are generally shot 3/4 and you should probably use a handler to make sure they're set up properly.

I don't think you needed flash. The exposure and shadows are very nice.

Nice work!

Jim

Thank you Jim! I didn't even notice the roachy issue until you pointed it out and I can totally see it now. There was a handler(owner) but I cloned out the lead. We were rushing and I obviously don't know how they should be stacking

When you say they should be shot 3/4, what exactly do you mean?

Julie,
there are several ways to shoot dogs:
1. full profile: Dobermans and German Shepherd Dogs for example. The camera is actually behind the shoulder blade and the front legs are a single horizontal plane.
2. 3/4 where the dog shows its chest and the second eye.
3. 7/8 where you see the second front leg and the second rear leg but the head might not show the second eye.

The key is knowing how the breeders/owners think their dog looks best. And it changes over the years. A few years ago, Dobermans were shot 3/4. Now, the standard is full profile (I shot the 2004 Doberman AKC National). When it comes to shooting show dogs, you need to know not only what looks good to you but what is expected in terms of angle and attitude for the owner/breeder.

Jim

This is wonderful information. I am much better with the horses as I know how to set up a hunter vs a dressage horse vs a QH

These are such basic holes in my knowledge, and it is wonderful to have a resource to critique so well

Julie,
we have an owner of one of the Rottie girls we bred who also breeds and shows Quarter Horses. She's tried to convince us to shoot their shows. I know nothing about horses except that I love them (and they seem to love me). But there are angles that are appropriate when you are shooting shows and even when you are shooting for the owners. I don't know those angles. Yes, I can learn. But it isn't instinctive.

Dogs have their own nomenclature when it comes to angles and poses. I know them very well -- I had to learn them to survive in Dog Show Photography. Sometimes, it's counter-intuitive: Dobes do look better 3/4 regardless of what the owners/breeders say. It takes a great topline to look good in profile. And not too many dogs have that these days (unfortunately).

Stick with your instincts but look at the Dog publications to understand what angles are "acceptable" for the breed you are shooting. Dog News, The Canine Chronicle and specific Breed publications can show you what angles are currently "in" for the breed you're shooting.

You have excellent technical skills. That's 1/3 of the battle : )

Jim

Thank you again Jim!!! I work full time (mortgage broker) have twin 6 year olds(on the 25th) have a horse and want to do a bit of animal portrait photography. I have the equine stuff (portrait) down ok. I understand that. I know what is being looked for

the dog stuff, I have to learn. I don't think I have time to do dog shows, but would love to do this kind of portrait work. Where you meet the owner out and shoot their dogs. I love the challenge of it.

Here is another of the crested bitch. She still doesn't have her legs back enough, but, tell me what is wrong so I can start seeing it

Julie,
very nice portrait and I'm sure the owner(s) love it. There's a little too much cloning going on in the background for me but the dog is lovely.

Yes, she needs to have her rear pulled out some (the rear hocks should always be perpendicular to the ground) but everything else is so nice it isn't a big issue.

Julie, my comments weren't meant to be critical in a negative way. You have very good photographic skills. To take great portraits, you need to understand what image the owner(s) have in their heads. That's the image you need to create.

Very, very nice work.

Jim

Oh, don't worry, you have to be mean to hurt my feelings. I am on on equine photography only board and they will flat tell you you suck! That is the only thing I take offense to.

I have no problem with pointing out what is wrong and how to improve it. You can't learn unless someone tells you.

I shoot horses more 3/4 from the rear or just straight on. I would never shoot them 3/4 front, they would look distorted. So, you can see I am shooting dogs like horses and well, they aren't horses!!

This forum is incredible! I don't know of another like it that has this kind of info

My friend is going to bring her Saints out to this park when she gets back from the Eukanuba. I told her to dress up her kids and groom her dogs so I could practice on them

Julie,
we'll be at the Eukanuba too (we're doing the ARC (Rottie) booth). Who is your friend with the Saints? My first dog was a St and I have a very soft spot in my heart for them.

I just shot 2 St Bernard Specialties in Miami. Love the breed. Of course, I haven't met a breed I didn't love : )

Jim