Project Dogwalk - Day 1

This is the first day of "Project Dog Walk." Mixed in with my usual blog, I am going to be posting a couple of pictures each week of my walks with Layla. I plan to take out a variety of cameras and will try to let you know what I shoot with. My goal is to notice the details of my neighborhood in the found objects, nature, and unique people that make it up.

Entry 1 - The Sandal
A lone sandal sitting in a driveway.
Shot with Canon Powershot SD1000 Digital Elph
Although this little baby is just a point and shoot, here's the metadata on the shot:
5.8mm, ISO 80, f2.8, 1/250


Entry 2 - PVC
PVC pipe in a fence.
Shot with Canon Powershot SD1000 Digital Elph
5.8mm, ISO 125, f2.8, 1/500

City Paradise

Saw this beautiful short video that I had to put up and share. This filmmaker has a Tim Burton 'stop motion' sensibility combined a bit with Michel Gondry. Hope you enjoy!

Smiling Happy People

Just wanted to put up some pics I have taken of people caught in the act of smiling - when they were least expecting it! Keeping the world bright ~ one smile at a time!

Angle for Depth

Shoot with depth. Find the dimensions to a photo before taking it. How can you create more to an image than a straight-on shot will allow? Angle it. Let the light shine through, the dimensions of the object creep in. Find your unique take on it. Here are a couple of mine:

Julie Style

Had the urge to post a few photos with style. These images capture some excellent looks from Julie. We worked some classic fashion and mixed it up with an edge of funk.

In this particular combo of pictures, I am focusing more on a portrait style than classic 'fashion' look. This editorial feeling, however, tends to grab a more emotional hook into the clothing, rather than having it feel separate and closed off.

Julie has beautiful eyes and great brunette coloring. These really bring out the clothes in the images.

Just wanted to put up a few more pics of my neighbors' Jack Russell puppies - Sweet Pea and Elsie:

Dogs, dogs, dogs. Since getting one, I feel like I have been taking a picture of so many! Which, by the way, I love. They are tricky, however. Because - unlike most people - their undivided attention is hard to come by.

Whether they are wagging their tail, looking for a treat, or just trying to get the attention of the people around them - they are always on the hunt for something!

Now - I should clarify this blog by saying I rarely do classic portrait sessions. So, at this point in my photography career at least, you won't find me with a Beagle in the studio being lured by treats. I am much more of a photojournalistic shooter - so capturing the dog in its element is usually my goal.

Like all portraits, however, the key element to making a dog work on camera is capturing the eyes. While there are certainly exceptions to this rule (action shots, fur specialization, open mouth with tongue hanging out pics), finding the soul of the animal is as important as capturing the soul of a person. It tells a story... and shows a deep level of loyalty and love.

Here are a few recent dog pics. More to come in the following days!