Project 52 - Week 20: Low Angle

Apparently, I do not get down on the ground enough when I am taking photos of my own dogs.  I have been known to crawl on my belly like a soldier in training when doing client work, but at home not so much.  This became pretty obvious when I decided to lay full out on my patio to capture some low angle photographs of my crew.

I should point out, that as a pet photographer, most of my work is done on the same level as the pet.  That means I do have to get down and work from the ground quite a bit.  I chose my 24-70mm lens, to add some wide angle distortion to the mix.

Our little Bethy was the most motherly and concerned about me being flat out on the ground.  Is Mom dead?  What is wrong with her?

So the first photo in my story is of Bethy wondering, "Hey, Mom....are you okay?"

As I have mentioned before, we are surrounded by trees.  The advantage of getting low to the ground like this is that I can see the sky above the trees.  This was more of a test shot, and I wanted to capture  (and not miss) Bethy's concern.   A moment after this shot was taken, I was accosted by several other of our dogs smelling my head, feet, stomach and camera.  They weren't as concerned. Once they figured out I had no treats, they went on their way. Bethy actually didn't become comfortable with me lying on the ground for a while.

While at that level, Danny sauntered over to the patio and sneakily eyeballed me several times just to make sure things were "normal" and I reeeaaaallly didn't have a treat bag.  I managed to get a photo of him, because I am crafty.

Did I mention we live in a cross between the Rain Forest and Seattle?  We do.  We are saturated with green, but growing like weeds.  Speaking of which, at this angle I see I need to weed my patio pavers.  Anyone up for the job?

I like this photo of Danny.  This is his relaxed stance.  He is thinking about something.  Me.  Treats. Who he should play with.

I did stay on the ground for some time.  It began to get darker.  Bethy kept hanging in there and tried to help me out by striking a pose here and there.  Unfortunately, the photo bombing gang of rabble rousers cut into her modeling attempts.

I guess Danny finally decided to play with Luke and timed it perfectly to happen just as Bethy settled into a nice, easy pose on my level. I used my on camera flash here, but powered down.  Bethy is one of the most gentle dogs on the planet.  She came to us at the age of 4 months in 2005.  She is starting to slow down just a bit, but still keeps up with our pack of wild things.

I do have a favorite photo from the evening.  It's the photo below.

This is definitely a Bethy look.  Still very much a puppy at heart, sticking close to Mom to make sure she is okay.  I think she was very happy when I finally got up off the ground.

For more low-angled perspectives, check out this week's blogging bunch.  Start with Cahlean Klenke of About A Dog Photography in St. Cloud & central Minnesota, then continue around the blog circle until you are back here once again.  And don't forget to have a fantastic weekend!