First off I just wanted to thank all of you who helped me out with my last thread about the 'equipment' end of things. For those of you who are interested I decided to keep my Sigma SD14 and I just invested a small fortune in some nice new, fast/sharp lenses.

Anyway, I went to my local dog park today and practiced on some willing participants. I had such a good time doing it! Mind you, I love animals of all shapes and sizes so it just comes natural to me I suppose. The dog owners were really great and very receptive to me photographing their furry friends.

I would like to hear some feedback on these images if you have the time...





I didn't get to spend enough time with the first two dogs to get their names but this is Patches, a two year old American Bulldog who was just learning to swim.



This is Patches and her friend Princess, Patches was obviously having issues with the dog-paddle technique...

Thanks. Goodbye.

I like the expression in the third shot. Nice capture.

Hey Neil,
first time I caught up with this thread but I think the idea of shooting at your local dog park is terrific and the fact that it has a swimming hole is wonderful.

All these images are very nice candid captures. The first one is a great pose and the second one -- an English bully I think -- is really nice as well. I would think that the folks who frequent that park would love to have these images. Now, the question is, would they pay for them?

Why don't you put together a formal shoot where you charge something like $25 for an 8X10 print and $10 of that can be donated to whatever capital improvement project has been put together for the dog park. In ours, for example, they're building shade shelters and adding water spigots within the parks themselves.

Most people who use the park would appreciate the photos in that environment and the capital fund would appreciate getting a cash infusion.

Just a thought. Nice work.

Jim