Pet Portraits - please post them here

[carregwen]

ROFL sorry can't talk... too funny... did he fall over backwards lol

That's nothing. You should see him down the pub.

[Overread]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3520/...3380cc18_o.jpg

Oldest animal on the site at present and got to be pushing (if not past) 20 years old and the only cat to (almost) fully stand her ground to the husky above. She was a black cat, but has recently taken to furdye for a more reddy colouring over her body. She goes to a bag of bones each summer (seriously thin) and then plumps up to normal cat dimensions during winter!
She is also mother/grandmother etc.. to all the other cats one site (barring that halfwild grey male that lingers around.....)

[carregwen]

Ohh a PET thread! Where to start where to start!
Probably should start with the boss;


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4002/...ea8c85df_o.jpg

Looks like a dodgy bookie at the dog-track. Shouldn't she be running?

[carregwen]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3520/...3380cc18_o.jpg

This one needs to learn to read the instructions on the packet - "Ensure you apply the dye over ALL of the hair"

[Overread]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3396/...4e776e8b_o.jpg
Another cat, Popsy (well we never had to fill out a form so I've no idea how they spell their names), second oldest and now with her own battlescar upon her nose. This is the sort of cat that likes nothing better than to clambe up your shoulders and then perch herself there - dribbling down your ear whilst purring.

[Overread]

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4058/...9b6635de_o.jpg

But she has got the chair! Minty is this one and she considers herself to be a most loyal feline. Often to be found ghosting after my father in the garden as he feed the birds (some few 100 of them) - following him round all day and even into some of the pens (though never the pheasants).

[carregwen]

He kept moving, so out came the super-glue. Worked a treat.

Never work with animals.

[Overread]

Who is so misty she even mists up the lens
The only cat I've yet to get a half decent shot of and very much the boss in muscles (if she but knew it). Sleeping next to Agas (whilst they are on), ontop of boilers and anything else she can find that is hot this is one cat who does not understand the concept of anywhere being too hot!

[Philjam10]

Boomer my faithful photo ass't waiting for me to complete a photo just after I got the new camera.

[Overread]

He kept moving, so out came the super-glue. Worked a treat.

Never work with animals.

hehe I know the feeling! Though in my case they make it extra hard because I always avoid my kit lens - so my pet shots start at 70mm and up. Which is fine if they don't notice you - as soon as they do they dash over demanding attention!

[Overread]

Boomer my faithful photo ass't waiting for me to complete a photo just after I got the new camera.

Aww, but looks like snow in the background so that must have been a chilly photoshoot!
Interesting collar/muzzle setup - I've seen the newish designs that single slip over hte nose like that but allow the dog room to open their jaws enough to easily pant/drink etc... Amazingly they also work well for control (esp on a husky where as soon as one pheasant appears all concept of training goes out the window )

[Philjam10]

Hi: That's a haltie leash. Shortly after I got Boom who is an Alaskan Malemut,a puller by nature, I was injured in an accident and broke my hip, shoulder, and jaw. So my whole right side was gone and I had to learn to walk again. A great friend took Boom and trained him to the haltie so I could keep him. Boom took to it, and he will now even stand steady while I pull myself up an incline. He's an an exceptionally smart dog, and recognizes that canes,etc. mean slow subdued movements for him.

[ScoutR]

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4058/...9b6635de_o.jpg

But she has got the chair! Minty is this one and she considers herself to be a most loyal feline. Often to be found ghosting after my father in the garden as he feed the birds (some few 100 of them) - following him round all day and even into some of the pens (though never the pheasants).

Those eyes.... Most loyal I'm sure, but do you think the birds have something to do with her affection

That is quite the crew you have there. Must be a pretty interesting place to be around. Great shots

Wendy

[ScoutR]

Boomer my faithful photo ass't waiting for me to complete a photo just after I got the new camera.

Hi Philjam: How are things up north. I remember Boomer, beautiful dog and great shot. I think him and Heidi would make a lovely couple

[ScoutR]

Who is so misty she even mists up the lens
The only cat I've yet to get a half decent shot of and very much the boss in muscles (if she but knew it). Sleeping next to Agas (whilst they are on), ontop of boilers and anything else she can find that is hot this is one cat who does not understand the concept of anywhere being too hot!

Whoaaa, she looks mean. Wish I could borrow her awhile to put Buttons in his place. Great shot, it might be just my screen, but perhaps a bit more light on her face and eyes so she stands out more against the background. My screen is not calibrated though, so can't say for sure.

Wendy

[ScoutR]

He kept moving, so out came the super-glue. Worked a treat.

Never work with animals.

No point sticking around if the scallops are gone. Pretty rich dining for a cat. Chocolate Mousse (or Mouse) for dessert no doubt.

Another great shot. I like this thread

[ScoutR]

That's nothing. You should see him down the pub.

I expect to. Looking forward to seeing the shot.

[ScoutR]

Blackberry Bold: no exif (Dec 2008 PDA shot)

That's priceless Dave. My Father had a dog that looked similar to Sparkie. His was a LhasaPoo (sp) a cross between a Lhaso Apso and a poodle. He was a pretty laid back dog. My Father tamed and took in a feral cat (kitten), and the dog did not cause a fuss at all. They took to each other like best friends.

That Blackberry takes pretty good shots

[Philjam10]

I have always been fond of Dobes, and these two are a beautiful matched pair of reds. When I had my first one ( a red ), they were still cropping ears. I much perfer them natural.

[rick55]

A brilliant idea, Dave! And obviously very successful.

Also good timing, for me. Along with humans, I did some pet portraits over the weekend, and was hoping for some critique.

These are my sister's Cocker Spaniels, Einstein and Albert (left and right). Einstein is an American Cocker, Albert is an English Cocker.

I used 4 flashes, one as fill slightly behind the camera to the left, one as key through an umbrella about 45 deg to the right, and two illuminating the backdrop.

The backdrop and table cover were king-sized sheets. A lesson for the future is to not have wrinkles . I had the backdrop hung precariously at two corners. I could live with the drape-style folds, but the wrinkles are quite distracting. I'd like to PP them out, but when I try to select the backdrop for selective blurring (for example), I get halos around the subjects.

I'd love C&C.

Cheers,
Rick

Einstein & Albert