When I am driving along, or going for a walk with one of our dogs, on a huge puffy cloud day, I am constantly scanning the sky thinking "I should have my camera with me."  Big cloud days, for me, are the best days to capture some great sky photos.

I also like small, wispy, patterned cloud days.

I still hold to the theory that the best big sky photos are done at the beach.  Many photographers like to use wide angle lenses to capture big sky photos.  Sometimes that works for me, too.  But if you don't want too much distortion, and you don't need a close up, using a prime portrait lens still offers you the chance at capturing big sky.  The photo above is a landscape photo with a dog in it.  There are many things to see here, including the big sky.  This particular photo can tell whatever story you want it to.  Ask yourself the questions: Why is the dog on the beach?  Does the dog belong to the umbrella?  Did the dog come down the path along the dunes?

On the otherhand, the photo below is clearly about the dog, and there just happens to be a good sky behind him.

Sky can be an integral part of your photo for sure.  I like to experiment with sky as my backdrop and a few different lenses to see what I might prefer when working with pets.  Giving their owners different options with various photo angles involving the sky has always been a wise strategy. 

My next set of experiments will involve the night sky.  Maybe someday soon I will be blogging about that adventure!

For more big skies, remember to visit the blog circle and take a peek at how other photographers interpreted the theme.  Start with Pawparazzi Pet and Animal Photography, presented by Shae Pepper Photography . I hope your weekend is dry and sunny.  I hope mine is too.  Pennsylvania has been under siege of some angry clouds with water guns, and a warm, dry weekend is on everyone's wish list.

Happy Friday!

The Northeastern Pennsylvania region has a rich history of Native American tribes.  There are a number of Pow Wows held each year in our area.  I had a chance to attend the Inter-Tribal Native American Pow Wow in Drums, PA this past weekend, where beautiful regalia could be seen everywhere.

Let me be clear--these are not "costumes."  Regalia, which can be very elaborate, are very unique to the individual.  They signify the spirit and soul of the culture.  Each Pow Wow dancer reflects not only tribal history, but also their own personal style.

There are a number of accessories that are worn or carried as part of the regalia.  These items can reveal family heritage, tribal affiliation, spiritual quests, or may have been a gift to the dancer by other members of their group. Some of the items may be "earned" by completing tribal milestones.

Many women carry shawls. The shawl is traditionally carried over the left arm.

Powwows are intertribal social gatherings. Begun in the 1880's, they became an important way for Native Americans  to stay connected to their tribal cultures and identities. This was at a time when Indians were experiencing great upheavals in their communities, due to the assimilation era, when tribes were forced onto reservations.

Participation is a family event, with a variety of age groups taking part.  I am always happy to see the young people at a Pow Wow. I believe that tradition is very important, and to have this rich heritage practiced and handed down is a beautiful thing indeed. (Click on small gallery images above to enlarge.)

For Native American people, everything has spiritual meaning even in the context of the modern world, and especially when it comes to the expression of culture and identity.

For dancers, not only is the act of dancing that expression, but the wearing of dance regalia is the visible manifestation of one's heritage. A dancer's regalia is one of the most powerful symbols of his or her Native identity and in that regard it can be considered sacred.

This is one reason why it is incorrect to refer to dance regalia as a "costume." Many of the elements that make up a dance outfit are items often associated with the ceremonial function, such as eagle feathers and parts, animal hides, items that have been handed down through generations, as well as designs that may have been handed down or were given in dreams and visions. (Source: Native-Languages.org)

(Click on small gallery images above to enlarge.)

I am, of course, fascinated with the men's regalia.  Bustle's can be quite elaborate.  Some carry shields.  There are dance sticks.  Buckskin is quite common.

The women's hair beads and embroidered regalia patterns are quite beautiful, as the string of photos below clearly shows.

Pow Wow gatherings often honor many, including veterans and POWs, families, and our own connections to mother earth.  The dances reflect different cultures and subjects.

One of my favorites involves the jingle dress.  A very healing dance, the jingle dance is associated with sending healing vibes to someone who is ill. 

Below is a small gallery of other dance images. (Click on images to enlarge.)

I would encourage everyone to find a Pow Wow in your area and attend.  There is so much to be learned and shared.  There is much to see and understand.  Besides the lovely dancing and regalia, there are vendors and craftsmen.

And finally, some images to end the day.

I was entranced for most of the day by the regalia at this particular Pow Wow.  All were colorful and beautiful.  My favorite overall, and from a photographer's standpoint, would be the regalia worn by the head male dancer.  With that in mind, I created the final painted portrait of him in action below.

I invite my Native American friends to comment and provide more insight into their regalia, and/or anything you think we need to know.  I hope you enjoyed this blog!

Both dogs and cats are great at head tilting, albeit they perform the tilt in different ways.  The head tilt is coveted in the pet photography industry, because it is (1) ultra cute, (2) a way for a dog to close its mouth (most do in head tilt), (3) expressive, and (4) humorous (it makes me smile every time).

Dogs each have their own head tilting pattern, ranging from slight to extreme.  Cats tend to twist their heads at an odd upside down angle, usually just before pouncing on something or running away (oh, a bug--head tilt--pounce).

I tend to like a middle of the road head tilt.  I use a variety of sounds and noise makers to get the tilt, but each photographer has their own way of getting a dog to offer the tilt.  Sometimes I will ask a client if there is a special word that might get the head to turn sideways.  In our house SQUIRREL is that word.  We can't even spell it.  Sometimes TREAT does it as well.

This very subdued head tilt on our Bethy was achieved by my asking her: "Have you seen any turkeys?"  For Bethy, TURKEY is a key head tilt word.

This backward, over-the-shoulder head tilt was achieved with a squeaker toy for a client's pup.  Many times I will ask clients to bring along their dog's favorite toy to a photo session for just this reason. 

This is a very slight head tilt from a pup that was really just humoring me.  I'll take it.  A true nonconformist, this pup also went against the grain by leaving mouth open during slight head tilt.  Nothing worked, by the way. Not squeakers, not noises, not my animal sounds on my cell phone, no key words, nothing.

I took this one of our dog, Moe, quite some time ago, but it is a favorite of mine due to his Moe-ey head tilt. The key word here was TREAT, and he would have laid in this playground apparatus all day if I let him.

I am sure you will see many more tilting heads in the blog circle today.  So why not head (no pun intended) there now.  Start with Linda Perdue of VP Shoots Photography serving Tampa, Florida and surrounding areas.  Have a great weekend!

This week's blog is all about noses.  Dog noses are very different, and all a signature testament to breed and the individual dog.  Did you know that each dog has their very own, unique nose print?  Like fingerprints, dogs can be identified by their nose.

From cute little snouts to big-dog schnozzolas, noses are a thing of beauty. 

Without further ado, here are some dog noses I think you will enjoy.  Some I have used before and some are brand new.  Can you tell what type of dog they belong to?

And now for a few quick facts on dog noses:

• a dog's sense of smell is anywhere from 10,000 to 100,000 times greater than that of a human (think about that the next time you put on perfume or after shave and your dog is in the room);
• dog noses are often wet so that they can smell better (if a dog's nose gets dry, they will lick it themselves to make it wet again);
• dogs can smell out of each side of their noses separately (all of our odor identification goes to the same single passage);
• 33% of a dog's brain is dedicated to their sense of smell (only 5% in humans....my husband only 1 percent).

To see much more about noses, the blog circle is waiting.  Start with Sam Adele of The Hoof & Hound Photographer, covering the Lancaster UK area.  Enjoy your summer weekend!