Yesterday was my first attempt shooting a group of dogs. My ex repeatedly told me I am an extremist; I guess jumping into six dogs at once is a bit extreme. All were bassets and all belong to one family. Not the best photo but I think it is an acceptable first attempt. I did clone out the parents from the background that we helping to keep the mobile slugs in one place.
6 Dogs is something all right! I like # 2 best and the group picture is fun!
I have a friend with about 5 unruly Bassets (her description) I would like to practice with- - I would love to hear details- - how did it go, organization-wise ?!
John, the fact that you got an image of all six is a moral victory; the image itself is actually quite good.
Bassetts are very cool guys and they tend not to get too excited which helps. The individual shots are very nice as well. I hope it was just as much fun as it was hard work.
We started with the group picture; that was a good idea because the dogs were most willing to work together when they first arrived. Soon after arrival, they started taking turns napping. The owners helped me position them but I have learned I really need a trained helper.
Six bassets fill the full width of a wide roll of paper; and they ruin about 6 feet of it with footprints.
Individual pictures were much easier because I used a fabric covered coffee table. The dogs actually wanted to get on the coffee table to be photographed. Maybe it would have worked better if I have constructed a 8 ft stage for posing the dogs-it was truly a challenge to keep six bassets on the paper and facing the camera-getting them to look at me was even more difficult.
Quote: John, Bassetts are very cool guys and they tend not to get too excited which helps.
I hope it was just as much fun as it was hard work.
Jim
Indeed, bassets do not get to excited but they can be very stubborn and difficult to "encourage" into position.
Fun? Yes, it was a blast. I absolutely love this breed; heck, I love all animals. Working with animals is my niche; I just need to get more paying customers to help with the expenses.
I have another photo session in a week: this time two children and two bassets.
nice job, 6 dogs is an accomplishment no matter what! The only thing I have to offer is I'd like to see the "high-key" shots done on slightly reflective plexi. I think the two portrait shots would look all the more stunning on plexi, and a slightly brighter background.
That's said, I'm not taking anything away from what you did accomplish, great job in my view. . .
Quote: The only thing I have to offer is I'd like to see the "high-key" shots done on slightly reflective plexi. I think the two portrait shots would look all the more stunning on plexi, and a slightly brighter background.
Tony
Tony, interesting idea; I have seen product photography done with reflect. plexi and I have done some jewelry with same, but never pets. Any ideas how to do this (what type plexi and what color); one, the plexi will only be 8 ft wide and the 6 dogs were wider than 8 ft (well, could have been shoveled together a bit more to fit into 8 ft but then it was hard enough doing them at 9 ft); plexi would only be 4 ft deep-how to keep out the edge lines? It would be fairly easy doing one dog as they are on a coffee table; a half sheet of plexi would do the coffee table.
Tony, how do you suggest handling the massive paw prints, the shedding, the slobber, etc. Just food for thought-sometimes pet photography can have a whole host of challenges. Case in point; bassets slobber, shed hair and have huge dirty paws-even if washed that day. Lugging one into position is not to difficult but expecting him/her to stay put while I polish the plexi, vacuum or tape roll, etc is a bit much to envision.
You say a slightly brighter background, could you be more specific. I know you do not mean whiter as this is at 255; are you speaking of yellow or orange or similar.
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Wild Coyote Studio, New York Pet Photographer
