Happy New Year. Hopefully in this new year we will utilize this section more.

This is my second request to have you comment on these images. Partly because I really would like to hear from you and partly because I no longer want to see there are people out there we need to ban! I really love this section and hope all of you viewing take a minute to jot a few points of view.
And where is Tony??? We miss hearing from you!

Hi PeggySue,

LOL, thank you for getting rid of that last post. The problem I have with this version of UBB Threads is that it does not always allow you to delete just the last post in a thread...so I can edit what was said but not just that one piece (not the use of the word 'always'.)

As to the photographs, I apologize that I did not respond earlier. I definitely looked at it once and then it fell back out of my conciousness, so thank you for re-posting. My wife and I were both looking at the images - and agree on the following statements:

(1) All of the images looked very well photographed and exposed perfectly. As the first three are of the dogs 'doing what they were doing' it is hard to judge there composition in the same way that I would judge the horse.

(2) As action shots go, they came out very well. Small knit picks - ideally the puppy would have had his head forward, but LOL, good luck telling him that. I know that it is not realistic The third of that series is by far my favorite. You really caught the fellow.

(3) The horse portrait is phenominal. I love the composition as well as how it was exposed. I really like the way the composition goes from natural light to deep shadow - did you help it along?

Last, as to where Tony is, he sent me an e-mail recently. He has been off on the road and will hopefully come back soon. His presence is definitely missed.

James

Thanks for putting your thoughts to keyboard. The pup pics were a test on a new lens 100-400 IS. I love it! Always looking for new lenses & this one was atleast in my ballpark and well worth the money. I could always use faster lenses but those prices.......!!!!

BTW- these shots were taken at the Aussie Nationals and I am watching the thread about when, who and what we can shoot at shows. I will jump in soon but the conversation is getting lively now- great!

The horse image was taken in a doorway and I did not have to darken the background a great deal. I did get rid of a few distracting things like a lead line. I had wished the owners put a leather or thinner halter on this lovely horse. Thought about taking the halter off but I did not want to insult the young owner for her choice by doing that.

Brings up the question of how much do we do to an image before consulting the owner of the animal? If it is for them that is one thing but if you are shooting for yourself? Of course show shots one would not alter conformation but what about the tape on this pups ears? What do you remove, correct or alter to make a better image?

That first picture is awesome, and I like the rest as well. The running puppy seemed like a faster shutter would have been a little sharper. Beautiful dogs!
I have a sister in law whom is a well known breeder and judge, and I have been trying to learn more on show photography so keep in touch!

Hey Peggy, I'm sorry for being aloof for so long, as James has said, I've been on the road. Between christmas, new years, and a some family health matters I've been gone.

I'm back for a few days and very much appreciate youre posting these shots.

I'll say this much, I like them all. I am kind of a crop guy, so I like to crop shots in order to "force" the onlookers to see what I want them too rather then letting them decide - especially with animals and wildlife.

I also dont like a lot of extra space around the focus of the image, it makes the subjects look like they are floating around. This is just a personl preference.

I would like to see a little more space in front of the aussie pup in the run shot, I like horse shot, althought it's got a little too much dodging for me. As for the first shot, I'd have cropped it like this - IN THE CAMERA if possible. I know it's hard, but the best thing to do is go for broke on shots like this. get CLOSE FILL the frame and shoot away! Even with two dogs, I think it's best to try to put some emphesis on one or the other, while still showing the interaction.

I just like tight crops unless there's a reason to show their environment. If there's not reason to show the environment, I try to take it out, which places more emphasis on the subject and helps to keep the "action" framed.

Love love love the horse shot!! There was a big thing on doing portraits in front of the barn hall for this effect on EPN. Always works out beautifully. I agree with you that a nicer halter would have made a difference.

I like the first one with the looser crop, gives it the space the rough and tumble aussies need.

I wish the 2nd and 3rd were larger, as they look really nice, but hard to see much as that small size. The pose in #2 is wonderful. You really captured a great emotion in the portrait!

Thanks - all of you! Tony, I do like your idea on the crop. You all made very valid points that are much appreciated. This lens zooms differently then my others and it was like patting my head and rubbing my stomach getting used to it.
I had a booth at this show and was selling artwork. I did get approval from the show chair to shoot outside of ring win shots. I have been an OP and I do understand the problem with who should shoot where and when. But that seems to be on another thread. To be continued there.....

Glad to see you back Tony and hope all the health issues are resolved soon. Julie, James and Marty, you are always helpful on this section. Thanks

I think you will like this lens more and more as time goes on, as do I. The push pull design seems to me to keep the subject in field better as you zoom........short of a prime what possibly could be better............
you have to see my dog now sorry- grab shot not as sharp as yours, from our walk tonight, 0 degrees here today



great focus on her butt fur though! Her name is Jazzy Blue Eyes........ i showed your Aussie shots to my wife, it really weakend my case for holding off on another puppy so thanks alot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

Marty, what' that dog looking at? He looks like he has altitude sicknes, did you guy just come off some high mountain peak?

Quite the stare he has!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!