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dogyakker
03-01-2009, 20:13
I know bit of a lightwieght option compared to all those of you doing 365's but I don't get time to do one a day and I think that many of my pics would benefit from me slowing down and thinking about them more rather than just snapping away. I could also use the incentive to pick a camera up and take pics if I'm honest, since coming back from Iraq I've taken three!

That said - here's the first, a snap! Shame about the horrible black cloud just creeping in but beggers can't be choosers.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x196/dogyakker/My%2052/IMG_0006-Edit.jpg

You'll probably be seeing a lot of these guys! I'm now responsible for a bucket load of them!

liss
03-01-2009, 21:17
good luck , ive just started a 365 lol

hes/shes cute !

Cuddy
04-01-2009, 08:09
Good idea, i would find a 365 daunting, and thats a grand start. Nice detailed shot, and i dont mind the dark cloud at all.

dogyakker
04-01-2009, 19:51
Thanks guys,

Liss - best of luck, I couldn't even begin to contemplate spending that much time on it!

Cuddy - I mind dark clouds, usually means I'm gonna get wet! You could always join me in a light wieghts attempt at 52 this year!

Chris

dogyakker
09-01-2009, 17:42
Week 2 already! (Only another 50 till 2010!)

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x196/dogyakker/My%2052/Walking_home.jpg

Spotted this driving home from work tonight, I think I was particularly lucky to get the car and the people walking the dog in the right place at the right time. (or have I?) C&C as ever gratefully recieved. Biggest question - do you think i should use a bit of PP to bring out the people more? My own thought is that its kinda cool not seeing they are there until you look really close, kinda like the driver maybe hadnt seen them either?

Chris

fabs
09-01-2009, 17:47
Goof luck with this. Love springers so love the first pic. :thumbs: Seconds quite good too! ;)

jeangenie
10-01-2009, 09:14
Good luck with your 52. You've set yourself a high standard - the cocker's a corker :D and the sunset one is very well-caught. The people don't really show on my screen - I wouldn't have spotted them. Good job I wasn't driving. :thinking:

Look forward to seeing next week's

Jean

dogyakker
16-01-2009, 18:42
Week three.

This guy arrived just for me this week, he is a Search Dog called Tarka. Was trying to play with my flash gun and get the balance between the low sun and flash right. I think I got it but would be interested to know what you guys think?

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x196/dogyakker/My%2052/Tarka.jpg

Chris

jeangenie
16-01-2009, 23:11
He's a lovely dog and well done for trying such a difficult shot. I would have liked to see Tarka in a bit more detail, but it's not easy with such strong back lighting. :)

Jean

dogyakker
23-01-2009, 20:03
Week Four!

Been away on a course in Poertsmouth this week so not much in the way of daylight shooting time for me. There is a big hill that overlooks Portsmouth though and I managed to get an hour taking pics of the lights.

After an hour mucking about with the 28-70 I thought I would slap on the 70-200 with a 2X teleconverter and tried looking through peoples windows! :-) Not quite enough reach but I did manage to come up with this. For some reason it reminds me of the Harry Potter film when Dumbledore is first coming to Harry's house to tell him he is a wizard....?

Anyway.... Week 4

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x196/dogyakker/My%2052/Portsmouth.jpg

Comments and ctitiques as always gratefully recieved.

Chris

PS - In case you hadnt realised I am not doing the themed 52. I hadnt seen that thread when I started, maybe next year.

Bruja
24-01-2009, 12:21
Oh, I've missed this thread :thinking:. Love the cocker spaniel and the sunset too. I'm not sure I would have seen the people either! Well done on the Tarka shot but I think I too would have liked to see more detail. And I love your 4th shot. Are you sure that wasn't the night bus speeding past :lol: Well done Chris :thumbs:

jeangenie
24-01-2009, 15:53
This has worked well. It's a great birds'-eye view, and probably a good job you couldn't quite see through people's windows - who knows what might have been in the shot. :eek:

This must be a great spot for night photography on a clear night. It's high on my places to visit list. :)

Jean

dogyakker
24-01-2009, 18:07
Well done on the Tarka shot bit I think I too would have liked to see more detail.

Can anyone tell me how to achieve this? Is it "simply" a case of boosting the flash a little? Would a reflector be a better way of lighting him?

Thanks,
Chris

dogyakker
24-01-2009, 18:11
This must be a great spot for night photography on a clear night. It's high on my places to visit list. :)

Jean

Yeah it is pretty good although I must say I found it much nicer with at least the 200mm on the camera as otherwise there seemed to be no real subject and no foregorund interest.

There are also a couple of cracking bridges over the M27(?) for doing light trails of the traffic. One of those very nearly made it as this weeks selection but I am a Harry Potter fan...!

Chris

Toothie
24-01-2009, 18:14
you have made a really good start to your 52 :)

loving the last one the light trails add some real interest:thumbs:

kelack
27-01-2009, 14:36
I agree with what's been said, it's a good start to the 52.09 :thumbs:. Jean's not the only one who can't spot the people in the 2nd though

78seconds
27-01-2009, 15:10
Very nice picture #3 especially with the sun in the back. It´s good that his eyes can bee seen that makes it more personal.

#4 is a typical night scene in england, orange. I like them. Over here we´ve got "white" light which is not so cosy.

dogyakker
31-01-2009, 21:43
This week I have been taking photos at work for a presentation rather than just cos I love my dogs!

This one shows one of the guys working his dog in the article search discipline. The dog is directed over an area where an article has been lost/ hidden until he/she finds it where upon they will lay down as an indication to the handler. Pretty handy for finding lost keys, mobile phones, wallets etc etc.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x196/dogyakker/My%2052/Tony_and_Jalta.jpg

Comments as always greatfully recieved - especially on whether the pic shows whats going on clearly enough to make sense in a presentation. Obviously I think it does, but then - I know whats going on!

fabs
31-01-2009, 21:46
From what you've said, the picture seems exactly what's going on. :thumbs:

jeangenie
31-01-2009, 22:48
This week I have been taking photos at work for a presentation rather than just cos I love my dogs!

This one shows one of the guys working his dog in the article search discipline. The dog is directed over an area where an article has been lost/ hidden until he/she finds it where upon they will lay down as an indication to the handler. Pretty handy for finding lost keys, mobile phones, wallets etc etc.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x196/dogyakker/My%2052/Tony_and_Jalta.jpg

Comments as always greatfully recieved - especially on whether the pic shows whats going on clearly enough to make sense in a presentation. Obviously I think it does, but then - I know whats going on!

Yes, it's clear the police handler is directing the dog. I like the idea of taking the shot from behind the handler. If you had stood the far side of the dog, looking back at the handler I think it would have had less impact - the dog handler's face would have drawn attention away. The hand signal he's giving leads the eye across the picture to the dog.

You've left enough space on the left to keep the 'flow' of the subject. It's a pity the weather wasn't a bit kinder, but that's not something you can control.

It's fascinating stuff. I watched a police dog training session at the New Forest Show last year and it was brilliant.

Do you have dogs of your own, as well? :)

Jean

dogyakker
01-02-2009, 07:59
Do you have dogs of your own, as well? :)

Jean

Yes, Tarka from the previous post is mine, he's a Drug Detection dog. Although now I'm officially an adult and in charge I am not expected to handle,my own opinion is that the job wouldnt be worth doing unless I had a dog. I therefore lie,cheat, swindle, cry and/or throw temper tantrums till the powers that be give in!!!

Thanks Jean for explaining why it worked - its difficult to work out whether it does *** you know whats going on.

Chris

jeangenie
02-02-2009, 21:36
Yes, Tarka from the previous post is mine, he's a Drug Detection dog. Although now I'm officially an adult and in charge I am not expected to handle,my own opinion is that the job wouldnt be worth doing unless I had a dog. I therefore lie,cheat, swindle, cry and/or throw temper tantrums till the powers that be give in!!!

Thanks Jean for explaining why it worked - its difficult to work out whether it does *** you know whats going on.

Chris

I was very taken with Tarka when you posted the pic. I would have thought having your own dog would be essential to keep you in touch with 'hands-on' handling (if that makes sense). If you didn't it would be like photography tutors never taking photos themselves, imho.

Glad my commentary helped. :)

Jean

Bruja
05-02-2009, 11:37
Hi Chris, love the training shot, and as Jean has already pointed out the composition is spot on. :thumbs::clap:

dogyakker
14-02-2009, 08:03
Yes - its another bloody dog for week 6.
I missed posting last week as I was sent on a course again with work. The next couple of weeks might be a bit difficult because of it. So although this was taken last week it didnt get posted till today. Therefore I owe another shot for this week. Hopefully I'll get one today when I am out and about.

Anyway - The week this was taken (Last week) I was convinced to do a Calander for charity (Help for Heroes) for next year. The calander will be all images of working RAF Police dogs and some of the handlers. So far I have about six images that I think will be good enough. This is January's pic (I think).

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x196/dogyakker/My%2052/Gerry.jpg

Comments please - especially on the calander idea and if this is good enough?

Thanks ( see you in a few hours with this weeks - fingers crossed!)

Chris

Toothie
14-02-2009, 08:26
Loving the last one you have caught the dog at just the right moment :)

fabs
14-02-2009, 13:53
What a great pic, lovely dog and the timing is spot on. :thumbs:

jeangenie
14-02-2009, 16:45
Chris - this is an excellent shot - a happy smiling dog totting through the snow and loving every minute.

I could definitely see this as a calendar shot for January (although I think I'd clone out the round object on the right in the background).

Help4heroes is such a worthwhile charity and imo, not given enough publicity for the excellent work they do. Go for it and good luck :clap::clap:

Jean

dogyakker
15-02-2009, 15:24
And now I am up to date! Week 6

Went for a walk with Tarka round Rutland water and this is pretty much all I got! Not completely happy with it if I am honest, I think the focus is a little off but I am determined to post a pic each week. Even if it may sometimes be a little late.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x196/dogyakker/My%2052/Duck.jpg

Chris

jeangenie
15-02-2009, 21:31
Lovely colours Chris. I think ducks are a 'mare to photograph - they don't keep still, don't pose for the camera, spoil perfect reflections - or create a great splash when you don't want one and are generally unco-operative - ie I've never got a duck pic I've been happy with. This shot might not be quite as you wanted it but, for all the above reasons - it's quite acceptable. Well done. :clap:

Tarka wasn't tempted to go and join it for a swim, then? :D

Jean

The Matt
15-02-2009, 21:43
The reflectiony water has resulted in a few blown highlights, and yeah maybe the duck's a tad soft, but I think this aint a bad shot.

Toothie
16-02-2009, 20:57
Other than being a bit soft there ain't much wrong with it :thumbs:

Bruja
19-02-2009, 08:24
Catch up time again :D

Really like the Calendar shot, great DoF and an action shot taken with great timing, and the dog looks really happy too :thumbs:

I agree with everything Jean said about capturing ducks and I think the composition is spot on. Well done :clap::clap:

kelack
19-02-2009, 12:24
That's a lovely action shot in post#24, you got at the right height for that I think :D

I like the way that the duck shot, you haven't been tempted to do what I always do and centre it! :thumbs:

dogyakker
01-03-2009, 15:20
Hello again,

Well the course didnt leave much time for Togging and so I have missed a week! Bugger and it was all going so well...

Fortunately I was asked to take a few pics of the guys and girls in their best bib and tucker at the end of course function so I at least have one for this week.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x196/dogyakker/My%2052/IMLC_871.jpg

Not able to throw the background OOF as much as I would have liked as it was only a small area and I couldnt get far enough away with it still covering everything. Bit suprised at just how much difference there is colour wise in all the shots, although I shot in RAW and PP with lightroom so they are now all pretty much the same!

First real go at portraits and to be honest I'm quite chuffed especially as its the first time I have absolutely had to use the flash too!

Anyway - hopefully by next week I should be able to get a pic on here of my new (hopefully) pet dog! Cant wait - my very own portable model!

Chris

Bruja
01-03-2009, 15:24
I'd be chuffed too :clap::clap:

I can't tell you've had to use flash and the composition is spot on. The background actually complements the colours in the uniform so works well. :thumbs:

jeangenie
01-03-2009, 21:40
Well done on this. :)

Three-quarter length portraits are very hard, imo. And even harder when there is an element of formality - people generally aren't relaxed in 'best bib and tucker'. However, you've done a great job. The lighting is fine and the background works well. Best of all, she looks really happy to be having her piccie taken by you! :clap::clap:

Jean