Dog Show Photography

Georgia's Dad

Georgia's Dad

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Michael Lyons
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Hi all

I've just asked if I would go along to a Dog Show and photograph the top three places in each category.

I've never even been to a dog show before so could anyone give me any idea of what to expect.

I've seen the photos of their previous photographer who has moved on to a more lucrative company doing the same thing.

I think the actual photograph shouldn't be a problem but would love to hear of anyone else's experiences.

Many thanks

Michael
 
Dogs? sorry couldn't resist!!!:naughty:

Wish I could offer some proper advice, but sadly I have no experience of such events. Should be a good day though, enjoy it:thumbs:
 
i would go along to dog shows every so often, i've brought the camera along but just for a wee record of some of the dogs. However, i have found that if the owners see someone walking around with a 'fancy' camera and they're not too busy at that point in time they're eagar to help you out by getting the dog looking right, but what i hate is seeing their screwed up faces in the pictures lol, so catch them when they have a decent expression on them, looking more relaxed. Are you bringing a flashgun? I don't have one but i'd imagine it would work a treat in those situations.
I can't wait to see how you get on, I'd love to try that this year in NI!
 
Thanks Mark :-)

Tiny I do have a flash gun thanks I've been told I need to be quick to get third place while their still in place a the don't stay in the ring for long after the judging i think I may be nervous at first but hope i can get the shot's the Association wants!!!
 
Inside or outside...?

If inside - you will probably get best results with a flash. Maybe use fill in first curtain flash at arouns 1/60th to 1/120th, so as to capture some of the ambient light in the building. Having said that, full flash will be OK, but watch for those harsh shadows created by using flash this way. Maybe bounce it...?

If outside - you should have no issues.
 
Never done anything like this mate.
But if you know what shots they want make that your main priority :thumbs: Anything else is a bonus . get some practice in with the flash and settings on the cam. So when your there its 2nd nature. Then yu will be able to enjoy it.

md:thumbs:
 
dog shows are pretty easy in my experience

the top three should be stood properly by the handlers and ideally select an shooting area before hand
because the ring is rubbish.



different breeds seem to like different things, and indoor venues seem to always be in sports halls with crappy lighting, so setting a custom WB will help enormously.

also take a squeaky toy, good luck:thumbs:
 
Cheers Musicman I'll find out and have a play anyway just in case they say outside and then it rains and ends up inside.

Cheers MD should be fun I'll have a 3 hour drive to get there so all the nervous should be over by the time i get there.
 
cheers andrew

lovely staffy by the way I took one for a friend
3497783303_2cbea79169.jpg
 
Well I've been booked for the Windsor Dog Show Society photographing the Wire Fox Terriers :-)

I took a quick snap shot tonight just to get an idea C&C please.

3639644102_7afa57a558_o.jpg
 
Dogs that have to be 'stood' pose a few problems esp if small breeds, you need to get down to their level also a set of legs behind doesn't look good so get the handler to either kneel down and include them in the shot or use a table. Try and make sure you have at least one eye in shot, sometimes you are better off getting 3/4 on to them, bigger dogs are generally easier as the handler 'mostly' stands in front of the dog to 'bait' it.

Here's one of mine, cloned the lead out
cash2a.jpg
 
Might I suggest that you buy a copy of one of the doggie newspapers(Our Dogs is one that springs to mind) that you can find in some well-known newsagents-They usually have show supplements or illustrated advertorials.At the very least you could decide what you don't want to do...

Have fun!
 
Blue that looks fantastic

Kiasmum Thanks for that a great idea

This is what they are asking for

Class%201%20PD%201st%20No%2017.jpg
 
Dont forget to get the judge in the shot as well.Also try to get an eye to make sure the dog is standing correctly. ie: front legs straight and head not drooping down.If you have time during the day have alook around the diffrerent rings to get an idea of standing etc. Best in show and Reserve BIS, B/ Puppy IS also like Chairperson & Secretary in pics. Have a great day.:thumbs::thumbs:

Dave.
 
might be worth looking at the Kennel Clubs photostream on flickr they have photos from crufts and some other championship shows like Bath and Leeds - all the best for Windsor im there with my chihuahua hope it doesnt rain
 
dave-nikon1958 said:
Dont forget to get the judge in the shot as well.Also try to get an eye to make sure the dog is standing correctly. ie: front legs straight and head not drooping down.If you have time during the day have alook around the diffrerent rings to get an idea of standing etc. Best in show and Reserve BIS, B/ Puppy IS also like Chairperson & Secretary in pics. Have a great day.:thumbs::thumbs:

Dave.
Click to expand...

Unless it is a Breed Club show I doubt very much if you'll get the Judge to pose.
They will be too busy sorting out their critique and getting ready for the next class.
Even at Breed Club shows it will generally only be 1st placed dogs photographed with the Judge and maybe only the big winners (best dog, best bitch, best puppy BIS etc.)

I agree with a previous post about poor lighting (sports halls etc) Custom WB is a good idea if you can do it.
 
I've done a couple and my best tips would be

Get down to the dogs level
Use a wide aperture (e.g f2.8) and a long lens to throw the background out of focus as much as possible
Make sure you keep the feet in the frame (far too easy to cut them off)
Pray it's a fun dog show - the owners aren't that concerned about the posing of the dog.
 
At Championship shows, if its a popular breed, the judge takes quite a while to look over the dogs, so if you concentrate on the dog that the judge is looking at, the handlers will do all they can to impress the judge/judges and you should get the dog at its best, the judge then pick so many dogs out of a large entry, or may go straight to the best five, this again presents a good opportunity, they are then lined up 1st. to 5th. then stood by the handler for photographs, also the winers will mostly stand there dogs for photo's for you after they come out the ring. As someone said previously indoor shows throw up light problems, Crufts being no exception, general information on shows local and Champ shows can be found weekly in "Our Dogs" and "Dog World" The only time I have taken my camera to a show was the "Contest of Champions," 64 of the best winning Champions in Britain in that year, invitation only, London hotel overnight, black tie, very grand affair, my photos were cr*p..:bonk:..wife was not impressed as she was one of the few exhibitors who won the opportunity to qualify, my wife is a well know exhibitor in her breed, thats how I know a little about it, hope this is of help.
 
If you have been asked to Windsor Champ. show next weekend to photograph the winners and have never been to a dog show before that is some compliment on your abilities. If it is this show then I would spend the next few days looking at Wire Fox Terrier UK websites (Americans and Europe show differently to us) and working out which pictures work best and why .

As has already been said, get down to the dog's level, watch out for grass obscuring feet if it is too long, never have them facing downhill, slightly uphill is okay although if I remember correctly the Windsor rings are fairly level.
 
Thanks guys

I'm taking my day of this week tomorrow so I can go to the Royal Norfolk Show where WFT are showing so I can get a little practice in before the big day.
 
Everything went well on Sunday

It was a bit of a steep learning curve having to take the photos in the ring straight after judging and just before the handlers run off for their next dog/bitch.

Here are my photos

Here are my photos
 
Judges are not very co-operative in my experience. Get the dog away from the ring and bouce flash/available light depending on the situation - direct flash is a no no.
 
Cheers andrew

awp the light was so bright outside I needed to use flash on some of the shots and no time to take the dogs anywhere else :-(
 
looks like you did a good job in very difficult conditions!
 
Cheers awp

I'm off to East of England Agricultural Society this Friday so hope I can improve :-)
 
Cheers awp

Had a nightmare with the stewards not wanting me to take the pics this week :(

But I think the photos are getting better ?

my photos
 
Georgia's Dad said:
Cheers awp

Had a nightmare with the stewards not wanting me to take the pics this week :(

But I think the photos are getting better ?

my photos
Click to expand...

The exposure on this set is much better, although I think the white balance could be a bit off (Only a touch)

The last shot on the second set is a cracker, the reason why is the handler was looking at the camera rather than the dog. This is what you need to aim for IMO
(And if you can get shots with and without the judge that would be grand - think print orders :) ).

Excuse the jpeg quality, but here are a couple from when I was doing shows. The tape in the background got cloned out for the print orders
http://www.richardlindley.co.uk/whitelodge/show2005/img_7860_std.jpg
http://www.richardlindley.co.uk/whitelodge/show2005/img_7873_std.jpg

Photography in the ring is hard, you have made a really good start!
 
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