Retired Officer (C&C welcomed)

[KimC]

Recently one of my favorite K9 officers asked if I would be willing to photograph him with his retired K9 partner. These two spent more than 1/2 of the Officer's career together. The K9 is now 15 and has been retired for 5 years. Of course I said yes.

I know some of you will dislike the shadows under his hat... but he loves his hats and this was about capturing them exactly as they are. I did post one in the monthly comp that I did ask him to remove his hat...

Manfred - no funky PP on either one ;-)

[Manfred M]

While I like the pose, I think you've run up against the dread "baseball cap" light modifier. The brim is casting a heavy shadow over his forehead. Even without it, I suspect you might have a problem with his eyes; as they are in shade where the brim is not casting a shadow.

If you need to keep the baseball cap, you need fill light coming in from below; either a flash (preferable) or via a reflector (I don't feel you could pull that off, given the direction of the light).

[Donald]

Your timing is superb. To have the dog looking up to him as it is, tells is all we need to know about the relationship between them.

[KimC]

Thanks for commenting Manfred. Yes, I knew the shadow from the hat would be a negative. I did discuss it with him, but decided rather than pushing the issue, I wanted him to be himself, and most importantly, I wanted him to be comfortable. If I had a fill flash, I never would have caught this dogs expression (after being a working dog for 10 years he is extremely observant), and that's what he was looking for and was most important to him. You are correct, a reflector would not have worked due to the direction of the light.

While I like the pose, I think you've run up against the dread "baseball cap" light modifier. The brim is casting a heavy shadow over his forehead. Even without it, I suspect you might have a problem with his eyes; as they are in shade where the brim is not casting a shadow.

If you need to keep the baseball cap, you need fill light coming in from below; either a flash (preferable) or via a reflector (I don't feel you could pull that off, given the direction of the light).

[KimC]

They truly adore each other Donald. It was an honor for me to document that for him. Thank you for commenting.

Your timing is superb. To have the dog looking up to him as it is, tells is all we need to know about the relationship between them.

[ST1]

I can live with the cap shadow, great image I agree with Donald regarding the bond between both the dog and it's best pal

[Shadowman]

Nicely exposed and great use of the environment.

[Stagecoach]

Nicely framed Kim and for me a good example where harsh lighting, cap shadow included have added to the impact of the image.

[rpcrowe]

I have no problems with the hat shadow...

However, I always have a flash on my camera when I am shooting... I often use the smallish Canon 420EX for walk around shooting because of its small size relative to other hotshoe flashes. In fact, I purchased a second 420EX used on eBay to either use as a back up or to have mounted on my second camera. I use a Joe Demb Flash Diffuser Pro with these units. However, I will also use either the Mini Canon 270EX-ii or a Viltrox JY-610C when I just want a flash occasionally while walking around shooting.

Both the 270EX-ii and the Viltroxare tiny flashes and I don't even realize that they are on the camera. Both have advantages and disadvantages: the 270EX only has TTL capability but, it does have high speed sync (HSS) the Viltrox has TTL or manual capability but, doesn't have HSS. I can live without HSS because my Canon crop cameras can sync at up to 1/250 second and I am not doing specific portrait work with these small flashes so I don't need to shoot wide open. Both flashes are slave capable but, the Viltrox only costs about $25.00 USD on eBay... http://www.ebay.com/itm/381673628960...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT Neither flash is heavy enough to cause the camera to be out of balance when I am carrying it on a neck strap.

I can use either flash with a little "shower-cap" diffuser if I desire. http://www.ebay.com/itm/252476530511? Simply point the flash head up and place the diffuser over it. Does a pretty fair job._trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3 AMEBIDX%3AIT

BTW: It's a wonderful feeling to share the bond with your dog. A friend of mine remarked recently that Sasha (my Jack Russell terrier) never takes her eyes off of me! I have six dogs sleeping in the office with me right now but, if I make the slightest move, Sasha opens her eyes to make sure I am still here.

[Mike Buckley]

Fabulous bond between dog and man being displayed.

I wonder if you considered advising the man that photographing on an overcast day would have been ideal. If you had done that, you could have gotten the best of all worlds. Similarly, consider suggesting another shoot on an overcast day.

[rpcrowe]

Mike's post made me think... There might have been the possibility of shooting him in the shade of one of those trees... Of course that is an after thought. It is really easy to sit and second guess the shooter in the field.

I always wear a brimmed hat but on the very unusual circumstance of having my picture shot, I usually push the brim up just a bit.

[Mike Buckley]

There might have been the possibility of shooting him in the shade of one of those trees...

True. The reason I didn't suggest that is because the background still might have been very harsh, high-contrast light.

[William W]

I would have discussed the cap. Discussions are an open-ended, flowing type of give and take: the main reason for discussions with a Subject(s) is to create (or develop more) rapport.

If this were mine I would be pleased that we (he and I) choose not to remove the cap. The cap's shadow embellishes a few subtleties of the dynamic of the image: not the least of which is his (the man's) dependence on the dog's eyes. There are other subtleties – the ruggedness and history of shared ruggedness come to my mind immediately, regardless of being informed of their professional connection – inter-dependence and a shared history of ruggedness is obvious.

The lighting is also rugged and is well captured; to that end the positioning of the Subjects (plural) in that ‘lighting pond’, is excellent.

His (the man’s) eyes being in deep shadow, is just as much a creative and artistic enhancement as might be argued to be a technical problem: to hell with the technicalities for this one, the artistic rationale wins hands down, in my opinion.

I am neither keen on the foliage at camera right, nor the lighting on it. If it were my image and it was an important/critical image, I would clone that ‘mini-tree’ out of the image, entirely.

(as already mentioned) The timing of the Shutter Release is superlative to capture the internal balance and rapport of the man and dog.

Good shot. Brava!

WW

[KimC]

Thanks Peter. I'm glad you feel the bond and thanks for commenting.

I can live with the cap shadow, great image I agree with Donald regarding the bond between both the dog and it's best pal

[KimC]

Thanks John -- appreciate your comment.

Nicely exposed and great use of the environment.

[KimC]

Thanks for commenting on the image Grahame.

Nicely framed Kim and for me a good example where harsh lighting, cap shadow included have added to the impact of the image.

[KimC]

Thanks for the information you shared Richard. I was using my 70-200 lens - it's my favorite lens. I shot this at 135mm, so I would have had to use off camera flash and as I mentioned to Manfred, the dog would have reacted to it... and I would have never got this image. Getting the connection was what I was seeking as that was what was most important to the gentleman (and me).

I do have a Rogue Flashbender ~ thanks for sharing what options you use.

There's nothing like the love of a dog - I'm glad you have that with Sasha... and thanks for all you do for the dogs without homes.

I have no problems with the hat shadow...

However, I always have a flash on my camera when I am shooting... I often use the smallish Canon 420EX for walk around shooting because of its small size relative to other hotshoe flashes. In fact, I purchased a second 420EX used on eBay to either use as a back up or to have mounted on my second camera. I use a Joe Demb Flash Diffuser Pro with these units. However, I will also use either the Mini Canon 270EX-ii or a Viltrox JY-610C when I just want a flash occasionally while walking around shooting.

Both the 270EX-ii and the Viltroxare tiny flashes and I don't even realize that they are on the camera. Both have advantages and disadvantages: the 270EX only has TTL capability but, it does have high speed sync (HSS) the Viltrox has TTL or manual capability but, doesn't have HSS. I can live without HSS because my Canon crop cameras can sync at up to 1/250 second and I am not doing specific portrait work with these small flashes so I don't need to shoot wide open. Both flashes are slave capable but, the Viltrox only costs about $25.00 USD on eBay... http://www.ebay.com/itm/381673628960...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT Neither flash is heavy enough to cause the camera to be out of balance when I am carrying it on a neck strap.

I can use either flash with a little "shower-cap" diffuser if I desire. http://www.ebay.com/itm/252476530511? Simply point the flash head up and place the diffuser over it. Does a pretty fair job._trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3 AMEBIDX%3AIT

BTW: It's a wonderful feeling to share the bond with your dog. A friend of mine remarked recently that Sasha (my Jack Russell terrier) never takes her eyes off of me! I have six dogs sleeping in the office with me right now but, if I make the slightest move, Sasha opens her eyes to make sure I am still here.

[KimC]

Thanks for commenting Mike. I have photographed this man while he is working, in flat light. I was looking for something stronger to give him something a bit different. I enjoy photogprahjng him, so I'm sure there will be additional opportunities.

Fabulous bond between dog and man being displayed.

I wonder if you considered advising the man that photographing on an overcast day would have been ideal. If you had done that, you could have gotten the best of all worlds. Similarly, consider suggesting another shoot on an overcast day.

[KimC]

I purposefully kept him in as clean of light as possible as I didn't want a cast of green over either him or the K9. I have a very hard time getting rid of that cast and it tends to make me very unsatisfied with the image.

Mike's post made me think... There might have been the possibility of shooting him in the shade of one of those trees... Of course that is an after thought. It is really easy to sit and second guess the shooter in the field.

I always wear a brimmed hat but on the very unusual circumstance of having my picture shot, I usually push the brim up just a bit.

True. The reason I didn't suggest that is because the background still might have been very harsh, high-contrast light.

[KimC]

Thanks for commenting Bill. I know you don't read prior comments and only look at the image, so wanted to let you know, I did discuss the cap with him - the shadows it would create. I did ask him to remove it for one image; however, he loves his hat and it was more important to me that he was comfortable and that the image reflected who he is.

I would have discussed the cap. Discussions are an open-ended, flowing type of give and take: the main reason for discussions with a Subject(s) is to create (or develop more) rapport.WW

Thanks for your insight. I couldn't express it as you have; however, I'm glad you see/can express what I feel. I have had the opportunity to photograph this man as he is working with new classes of K9 Officers. He's very masculine and his presence is intimidating; however, after getting to know him, I find him to be one of the kindest and gentlest handlers I have met. I wanted that combination to appear in the images.

I did purposefully seek out that pond of light as it was just what I was looking for.

I'm glad you are ok with the shadow. I saw the shadow before I took this image, but I was ok with it because of the feeling I got when I looked at what was before me - it was magical to me (I know I'm attached to it... so that's why I posted it here -- to see what others saw). I'm glad to share that he loves it.

If this were mine I would be pleased that we (he and I) choose not to remove the cap. The cap's shadow embellishes a few subtleties of the dynamic of the image: not the least of which is his (the man's) dependence on the dog's eyes. There are other subtleties – the ruggedness and history of shared ruggedness come to my mind immediately, regardless of being informed of their professional connection – inter-dependence and a shared history of ruggedness is obvious.

The lighting is also rugged and is well captured; to that end the positioning of the Subjects (plural) in that ‘lighting pond’, is excellent.

His (the man’s) eyes being in deep shadow, is just as much a creative and artistic enhancement as might be argued to be a technical problem: to hell with the technicalities for this one, the artistic rationale wins hands down, in my opinion.WW

I agree - I wasn't wild about that tree from the get go. Truthfully, I am much better at cloning/blending, but not to the level to get rid of that. I'll use this image to continue to advance those skills.

I am neither keen on the foliage at camera right, nor the lighting on it. If it were my image and it was an important/critical image, I would clone that ‘mini-tree’ out of the image, entirely.WW

Thank you!

(as already mentioned) The timing of the Shutter Release is superlative to capture the internal balance and rapport of the man and dog.

Good shot. Brava!

WW