When we first got Mahkayla in November, she was ridden with a host of nasty skin conditions (in addition to a broken leg that had never been set). These are some shots that I took of Maykayla this weekend...and my first stab at portraiture with her since we have had her in the home.

Skin condition? Get out of here!! James she is really lovely, an absolute credit to the care you've given her. I like 2, and 3 even more. With 1 and 4, I'm not keen on the ear-tips and paws missing - yet they are great close-ups, hard to have it "both ways".

Wow these are nice. It is hard to get a black dog (my little girl is black and tan and I have all kinds of problems getting detail). Love the high key look!!! Mahkayla looks like a really sweet girl, and very happy and healthy...good for you!

These are wonderful James. She really looks great. You ought to be pround of your parenting skills!

Thank you all. I wish that I could take credit for her parenting. My wife does 85% of it as she is around during the day. However, I am proud of the way that she has grown.

PC, you are right about chopping off ears and feet. I knew that it would draw some criticism when I posted them. However, I like doing both - the eyes are the window to the soul (so they say), and I like coming it nice and tight. I believe that as long as you get the shots with all the bits and pieces that there is room left to do some nice tight work.

James

What is that White thing in her left eye. Interesting lack of pigmentation.
Great shots James. Is your wife doing all the talking and toy squeaking and treat baiting? I would like to see at least one where she is looking directly at the camera. That said I really do like the second one of the second set. And the full view 3rd shot of the first set is very nice.
Amazing shadow detail! How much of the detail is brought out in post processing and how much of it was there unedited.

Nice, Jim! Tough shooting, the blacks and whites - but you nailed it. Glad to read she's doing better, too!

I have been watching HBO's special "shelter dogs". Of course it has me in tears for the entire hour. It is about an Upstate NY shelter.

Made me think of how lucky Mahkayla is. And how important spaying and neutering is.

I need to go re-apply my mascara now

Thanks, Jeff for the compliments. The white stuff in her eye is left over genetic crap from her husky genetics. It does not appear to affect her in any way that we know.


"Great shots James. Is your wife doing all the talking and toy squeaking and treat baiting? I would like to see at least one where she is looking directly at the camera. That said I really do like the second one of the second set. And the full view 3rd shot of the first set is very nice."

Actually, we don't use squeek toys when we work. I always position the folks (in this case, my wife) in different places where the dogs/cats body will follow. Dogs are more apt to follow the lead, of course. With the cats, it is trying to figure out how to dole out treats.

"Amazing shadow detail! How much of the detail is brought out in post processing and how much of it was there unedited."

I post process everything. Having said that, I have been working hard on correct exposure in advance. With Mahkayla's shots, because I was on home territory, I was able to pretty much nail the exposure out of camera. It is harder when I am working on location and the cielings are different heights, etc.

James