A bit about my dog photography.
Posted by Bob Patefield 2010-06-18 23:49
I like a challenge, which is probably as well when it comes to shooting my beloved whippets Molly & Fudge. They are quite small and move really fast. I pretty much learned how to shoot action on Molly. She has just turned three and she was the main reason I got my first SLR.
I've always been fascinated by images of extreme action in sports photography and that's what I wanted to capture with dogs. On top of that I want to make images that are as beautiful as the dogs themselves. Often I will use techniques that make it even harder, trying to push the boundaries by using a very shallow depth of field or wide angle. Going wide means getting very close to the action which has dangers. Foolishly I put both myself and Molly at risk by getting too close on a recent shoot. I was led on the grass on my chest shooting the girls as they jumped over a collapsed dry stone wall. Believe me, 11 kg of pure muscle smashing your camera into your face at about 25-30mph smarts a bit. Molly got off with a slight graze and I was sore, but no uglier than I started off.
Uh oh! He wasn't there a minute ago.
This is going to hurt you way more that it'll hurt me.
Ooooooooof!
I've always been fascinated by images of extreme action in sports photography and that's what I wanted to capture with dogs. On top of that I want to make images that are as beautiful as the dogs themselves. Often I will use techniques that make it even harder, trying to push the boundaries by using a very shallow depth of field or wide angle. Going wide means getting very close to the action which has dangers. Foolishly I put both myself and Molly at risk by getting too close on a recent shoot. I was led on the grass on my chest shooting the girls as they jumped over a collapsed dry stone wall. Believe me, 11 kg of pure muscle smashing your camera into your face at about 25-30mph smarts a bit. Molly got off with a slight graze and I was sore, but no uglier than I started off.
Uh oh! He wasn't there a minute ago.
This is going to hurt you way more that it'll hurt me.
Ooooooooof!
Funny with hindsight. Like a true pro I kept shooting right up to the moment of impact ;^)
I still haven't got what I consider the perfect action shot of the girls and that's great because that's what keeps me trying.
I still haven't got what I consider the perfect action shot of the girls and that's great because that's what keeps me trying.
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Thanks to 'Wings'
Posted by Bob Patefield 2010-06-18 22:38
Wings (a member on 1x.com) has become a good friend since I first spoke with him about a week ago. His advice has been extremely valuable and inspiring. Please take a moment to explore some of the wonderful images on his website here.
He said I should keep a journal to help me become a better photographer. As I'm always striving to be just that I have to give it a go.
The more photography I do and the more my images (hopefully) improve, the less I feel I know about the subject. I often hold the camera in my hand and wonder what the hell it is I'm doing. I suppose that's part of being self taught. You miss basic bit's of learning along the way and have to go back. The good thing about being self taught though is I guess you are more free to experiment without thinking it should be done how someone else told you.
Once again I'd like to thanks Wings as I haven't been doing much photography in the last 6 months and I'd kind of lost my way.
Let's see where life takes us ;^)
B
PS Please feel free to leave some advice, comments or questions. Your input will be really appreciated.
He said I should keep a journal to help me become a better photographer. As I'm always striving to be just that I have to give it a go.
The more photography I do and the more my images (hopefully) improve, the less I feel I know about the subject. I often hold the camera in my hand and wonder what the hell it is I'm doing. I suppose that's part of being self taught. You miss basic bit's of learning along the way and have to go back. The good thing about being self taught though is I guess you are more free to experiment without thinking it should be done how someone else told you.
Once again I'd like to thanks Wings as I haven't been doing much photography in the last 6 months and I'd kind of lost my way.
Let's see where life takes us ;^)
B
PS Please feel free to leave some advice, comments or questions. Your input will be really appreciated.
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