I am hooked on shooting in the late day light. I experimented with my friends dogs last night, and was also rewarded with a pair of GBHs that circled us right overhead (wanting to land in the pond we were next to) and landed a few feet away and stood staring at us with no fear. It was awesome. Hope it's ok to stick a couple of those in with the pets...:)

Dee Dee,
love the shots of the Goldens, especially the ones with water droplets flying everywhere. My favorites: #2, #5 and the last one. The light is lovely; the action is frozen in place; you've captured the essence of "Golden Retriever".

Since you didn't ask for a critique (thank you) I won't get into a technical review but I really like these on both the creative and the technical level.

Great stuff!

Jim

Thanks Jim, I would love a critique!! Always, always!! Everything I post is for scrutiny, not just accolades. I have very tough skin you can't hurt my feelings, I'm here to learn and always soak in any critiques especially from waaay more advanced photographers like yourself.

Please, have at it!

Dee Dee,
you misinterpreted my comment. I tend to think it's presumptuous for most of us to give formal critiques of others' images. Your vision is just that -- your vision. If I would photograph a similar situation differently, that doesn't necessarily mean it is any better than the way you did.

There are some very good photographers on this list. But none of them are a better visual artist than you, whether it's in photography, painting or whatever.

I'm more than happy to comment on technical issues but I don't feel qualified to critique your vision. That's just my opinion. Obviously, if folks want critiques they can ask for them. At this point in my life, I have enough confidence to realize that the toughest critic I have is me.

Cheers,

Jim

I agree what you are saying about everyone having their own vision. I did a lot of typical type of outdoor shots while learning. But they just don't excite me. Same with painting, I always strive for something that touches emotions (hopefully not the gag reflex type of emotions LOL) and something that might make people think "I have not seen this before." Not that I achieve it but that is always my goal.

That is why I keep experimenting with the lighting outside and have some ideas for unusual poses, etc.

With the studio shots, I am still really green at that so the shots I've taken so far have been the usual set the dog up with a backdrop and take it's photo with typical lighting. When I look at my photos, I am so uninspired...they are so boring. I feel like I've seen them a million times before (and often better than mine!) I am wanting to branch out and get something unusual and hopefully a little more exciting. Which of course won't please everyone or as many people as the usual shots probably will but I have to make it fun for myself too. I'm guessing the ones that might have more of a "wow" factor (if any!) will be less per shoot than the other way but I'm excited to try.

So I do welcome any thoughts on anything I take as it would be a good basis to judge on how many people like a certain look and how many don't. And I am always eager to hear any technical suggestions too!

*I am a sponge* (LOL)

I was invited to go up and get a lesson from this guy. Some of his subject matter I would not be interested in shooting (I'll stick with animals LOL) but I just love his "vision" and some of his edgy shots with interesting lighting. I'd like to learn how he does his and then incorporate it into my own "thing".

http://www.propagandafoto.com/home.htm

I'd also like to experiment with natural backgrounds and strobe lights rather than backdrops. Outdoors at night, etc. I'm having a friend bring her mini horse over to my house and see if we can get some shots of him with a backdrop and strobes like with the dogs.

I have just learned (and correct me if I'm wrong) that you can hand hold the camera for strobe shots because even though you might be shooting at 1/125 or so, it won't blur as if you were shooting that in natural light because it is the duration of the strobe that dicatates how long the image is being recorded and that could equate to around 1/1000 normally. If this is true this opens the door to my earlier hopes of doing some action in front of a backdrop. And I'm also anxious to hand hold for studio shots and not be tied to the tripod.

So much fun stuff!

Dee Dee, the number seven photo is drop dead wonderful. Shooting in that kind of light must be a thrill. I just got back from shooting at an all breed show in order to get images of certain breeds for artwork. As you know the shows really do not care if lighting is good when they schedule classes!

Your images make me want to grab a camera and catch that light. Jims comments about your work is spot on. It has been a pleasure to see the artistic avenue you run with this medium. I understand the need to move in a direction so you can get the images that would be worthy of a museum or gallery as paintings are.

Have you been in the Leigh Yawkey Woodson show in Wisconsin - Birds in Art? It is a brilliant show and could be our ulitimate challenge. Since straight photography is not accepted, it could be fun to enter one in painting and one in mixed media including painting. I have been in it once and would love to repeat and meet you there at the reception.

Dee Dee,
oh good, a technical question . I hand-hold 99% of my indoor stuff because the flash duration is so short there is little chance of camera motion. That gives me the ability to move around into the perfect location to get the best angle on the dogs I'm shooting. Most of the time it's easier for me to move than have the dog/handler reset the dog.

I agree with you about the learning process. My issues are with creative "rules of thumb" that sometimes just don't apply to a particular situation but are used like spanking paddles in critiques. Certainly there are compositional and creative guidelines for how to photograph certain subjects. But that's all they are -- guidelines. If you have a better creative vision and want to violate every rule to get the image you want, then who am I to criticize. I'll tell you whether or not the image works for me but I won't tell you that you've violated the rule of thirds or whatever.

Now, granted, you are not an artistic neophyte. You may be relatively new to photography but you are more of an artist than 95% of the people on this or any other photographic forum. When I look at your paintings, I see a kinetic energy that I'd love to be able to capture in my camera. But I don't think it's possible. Your vision takes elements from the images you photograph and enhances them to match what's in your mind. As I said, you are an artist.

I also love the fact that you experiment with different lighting and effects. After 30 years as a professional, I'm sometimes "locked" into my own comfort zone. I think it's time for me to try some new tricks too. Just to open up my mind and my vision a bit.

Thank you for challenging my thinking. I always appreciate your work for that.

Jim

Hey Dee Dee,

Remarkable photographs - really all of them. I particularly like the ones with the hard back lighting on them. Are those with your strobes outdoors, or some other light?

My favorite though is of the goldie sitting on the ground, soaking wet. How beautiful.

James

Beautiful photos Dee Dee! Very well executed and definitely gives an emotional response to the goldens.