Waiting for the Bite C&C welcomed

[KimC]

As some of you know, I have been photographing a training class of new police K-9s and their handlers. It's become a weekly occurrence (it's a 14 week course), and I have to say I absolutely love it! I never know what to expect, or what the day will bring. It's intense, fast paced, and I really enjoy how it's making my "eye" work and brain think. As an added bonus, the men and women that are participating are wonderful. It's something I SO look forward to...

I know this image may not be everyone's taste... The story behind it is -- this was Day 1 of building searching. The dogs were asked to search 4 doors in an abandoned school building. When the dog would find the door with the decoy behind it (this man is the decoy), the decoy is required to start blowing air under the door, making noise, rattling the door, etc. Everything is over the top to excite the dog and "reward" him (all male dogs). The reward is, the door is opened and the dog is allowed to bite the decoy.

This image is towards the end of the session -- the decoy was exhausted (it's very strenuous). He was "in position" waiting for the dog to "sniff him out".

Note: image was revised at 10:05 EST as there was something I saw that I was not pleased with...

[Shadowman]

Very nice, this one would work even without an explanation.

[Steaphany]

Very nice, this one would work even without an explanation.

The best photos can stand on their own, no description, no title, Sometimes the lack of information brings the viewer to explore the image more deeply than they would have other wise.

[Pica]

Hello Kim,
I do like you work. To this it was interesting to read your background story.

You asked for feedback as well: I find the monochrome conversion great as well the detail. To go from good to great I would contemplate lines, composition. I like to frame directly in the camera; however in this case I would evaluate some different crops and straightening of the horizontal line.

With this said, grand detail, story and monochrome. Love them.

Hope this was what you asked for support about!

[DEAN01]

Nicely catured, converted, and explained, Kim.

[Donald]

What a great photo opportunity indeed.

As others have commented, that is a very good B & W conversion.

[IzzieK]

To some, there may be a story to this shot, and yes indeed there is...but I still like to read the story behind it as I am not familiar with this kind of dog training. Now this is getting interesting that I can't wait for the next episode or even some snippet shots of others you may have this week? Or they do not allow you to show it to us? Just curious as I love dogs and activities...actions. Lots of them!

[John 2]

That is interesting, a nice conversion and I'm curious about the lighting. Somehow you seem to have managed to light him almost from below. Not a crit. because it works. Is it just ambient or have you added something?

[bnnrcn]

Nice conversion Kim

[Chrisclick]

Nice work, I like the light and the B&W conversion looks great!

[KimC]

Thank you John and Stephany. I wasn't sure if an explanation was needed. In my mind it didn't, but I thought that was because I witnessed it. Thanks for confirming it wasn't needed.

Very nice, this one would work even without an explanation.

The best photos can stand on their own, no description, no title, Sometimes the lack of information brings the viewer to explore the image more deeply than they would have other wise.

[KimC]

Thanks for commenting Pica. When I made corrections to the original image I posted I did correct that horizontal line as well as the item that was bothering me. I'd be interested to know how you might crop this differently.

Hello Kim,
I do like you work. To this it was interesting to read your background story.

You asked for feedback as well: I find the monochrome conversion great as well the detail. To go from good to great I would contemplate lines, composition. I like to frame directly in the camera; however in this case I would evaluate some different crops and straightening of the horizontal line.

With this said, grand detail, story and monochrome. Love them.

Hope this was what you asked for support about!

[KimC]

Thanks Dean; thought of you when I posted as I know you like the police dogs (although no dog in this one).

Nicely catured, converted, and explained, Kim.

[KimC]

Thank you for commenting on the image and sharing your opinion on the conversion. :-)

What a great photo opportunity indeed.

As others have commented, that is a very good B & W conversion.

[KimC]

Izzie, as you are such a master story teller, I had no doubt you would appreciate the background.

I will show more - this was one of the more difficult weeks to photograph as my position was extremely limited due to safety concerns. I must say when I was in the room with the decoy, my heart was RACING!

To some, there may be a story to this shot, and yes indeed there is...but I still like to read the story behind it as I am not familiar with this kind of dog training. Now this is getting interesting that I can't wait for the next episode or even some snippet shots of others you may have this week? Or they do not allow you to show it to us? Just curious as I love dogs and activities...actions. Lots of them!

[KimC]

Thanks for commenting John. The light in this room was crazy (good) -- as the school was abandoned there were no lights on in the room. There were very large windows that ran the whole wall behind the decoy. The light was going between his legs -- thats what lights him from below. The only selective action I took on the image was I did dodge his face slightly as it was darker than I liked; otherwise just the general adjustments.

That is interesting, a nice conversion and I'm curious about the lighting. Somehow you seem to have managed to light him almost from below. Not a crit. because it works. Is it just ambient or have you added something?

[KimC]

Thank you Binnur.

Nice conversion Kim

[KimC]

Thank you Chris.

Nice work, I like the light and the B&W conversion looks great!

[DEAN01]

Kim, Thanks for thinking about me and the German Shepherds. More interested in the breed than the police dogs per se. This is Prada, a silver sable GSD, the smartest dog in the world--took about 24 hours for her to train me and my wife to do exactly as she wants . She is very friendly, but can be intimidating if the need arises. Keep the photos coming.

[William W]

I didn't read the commentary before I formed my opinions of the image, which included but were not limited to: at the end my rope; exhausted; thank the Lord it is (nearly) over; time to go home; I wish I were at home; I am alone.

To capture emotion is evidence of the RAPPORT, Understanding and Empathy you have with the Subject.

To exacerbate and reinforce those emotions and to make them so easily and readily conveyed to the Viewer by use of: the low camera angle; the perspective of the shot; Shallow DoF & Selective Focus; Square-on Aspect & Geometricty of Composition; and to use the LH side wall of the room (some main examples only) - are evidence of your creative juices at work.

The B&W conversion is very good.

WW

What ISO did you choose?