Q: I saw you posted a photograph from a show over the weekend and I was wondering why you do a lot of practice shoots? Do you get bored with photography?
Well … this is a pretty good question to receive on a Monday morning!
This October, the Pet Posse are teaming up for the New Zealand Dog Agility Championships – we will be the event photographers.
Our Kelly (Kelly Wolfe Photography), agility is her thing so Carol and I are going along as second shooters. With four rings and prize giving, its a bit much for just one person to handle! Because it is a national event and because those who are competing are putting so much time and effort into their practice and training, I feel its only right that I do the same. There are a few more events between now and Nationals so I wrote myself a small task list detailing the skills I thought I needed.
- Camera setup – continuous focus and the correct focus settings.
The D800e has 3d tracking as well as single point auto, 9, 21 and 51 focus points. 3d tracking is absolutely fantastic for running dogs but I haven’t been able to nail the lift and hover that these dogs do during agility competitions. I’m currently working with 21 points although some Nikon know it alls tell me I should trust the Auto system …. auto just gives me shivers! - Exposure.
The ring can be a mix of shade and sun. As we’re following dogs around the ring, I may need to change settings mid run … is this even possible for me? - Position in relation to the course.
Picking a spot where I won’t be a distraction and I have the ability to shoot 2 or 3 different jumps, tunnels and/or ramps. This isn’t so much about practice but its learning that comes with experience and combine it with placement for the best light, I think it counts! - Timing.
Knowing when those front legs are going to lift and just start to clear the jump and being able to get the hind legs off the ground and in a hover – this to me is absolutely key and will save me a number of shots as well (I won’t have to take so many to get these two for each dog).
So how did I do?
Here’s a couple from the first agility competition I went to at Cambridge …
Positioning could be better, timing is okay, focus is on the jump and not the dog.
Love the expression but position is wrong and I’ve missed the focus on the dog.
And here’s a selection from this past weekend at Huntly …
Focus and positioning?
Much better!
Still, lots of room for improvement but without practice, I wouldn’t have improved at all. Because I use my camera so damn much, I can change most of the settings without looking and that helps with managing changing lighting conditions.
And so to your last question – bored with photography? HECK NO!
