We traveled to NC to do a portrait session for this kennel. There was nowhere pretty to really do these except for their two cornflower plants against the garage. Here's what I got:

The first Saint shot is beautiful, what an actor - and the one of the two Whippets is ready for a card, just needs a good caption. The background might not be ideal, but it is a better look here than a studio backdrop. Did you use any fill lighting on these or is it natural light only?

These are beautiful Julie. I think the backgrounds look great, I wouldn't have known you had a challenge with them. Love the two whippets in the flowers!

Saints are so hard to get the eyes, they are recessed and the same color as what is around them so hard to get a highlight. I see a round highlight in the whippets eyes that aren't in the saints, did you use a fill flash? Do you ever use a reflector? I just ordered my first one (soft gold/white) and am anxious to get it and try it out. You got some great expressions with these.

I used fill flash on the St's and a reflector on the whippets. I think I should not have used anything on the whippets, but, my husband was helping and I can only give so many orders before his feelings are hurt

Well what you did with both worked really well! I have not played with my flash enough yet to see what it really can do but now I'm anxious to, you wouldn't have guessed it was a flash on the saints, they look very natural.

Why would you have not used a reflector on the whippets? I'd be curious to know so I know how and when to use mine better when it comes. What size and color of a reflector do you use?

I used an old gary fong diffuser and that helps keep the flashed look down.

I felt like the reflector was throwing a bit much light on the whites of the dogs, but, this camera doesn't meter as true as I am used to.

Thanks Julie. Is your reflector white?

Sorry for all the questions. On your cropping, they are all cropped really well. Is this how you present them to the client always? And then as they order you recrop to fit whatever format? Talking with Jim I have learned to save the originals! I hadn't been doing that...

Julie,
these are very nice. I love the first Saint shot and the first two Whippet shots.

The lighting is quite good. I'd have liked to see a little more of the Saint's eyes however. Hard to get any detail in those dark eyes when they are surrounded with dark fur unless you risk burning out the white fur. But you need to be able to see some highlights.

I've not shot any Saints informally so I'm just understanding the challenge. When I use the studio lights bounced off of silver umbrellas, everything comes up just fine including the eye detail. I wonder if bouncing the on-camera flash off of a big sheet of white foamcore would create the same effect.

Jim

Hey Julie,
That first shot is GREAT. I also really like the photos with the whippets.

James

PS I am now using video light pretty exclusively when I am shooting critters outdoors and want some fill light. It adds a very nice, soft and warm light to the composition.

Hi James
Probably a dumb question, but what is video light? And your fill light, from on camera flash?