Mommy and Rescued Rottweiler from Detroit
First time Boy could sleep and be touched without waking in a startle reaction.
First time Boy could sleep and be touched without waking in a startle reaction.
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Oct, 2014Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
The photo was taken in my home in Birmingham, Michigan. I have had a love for photography all my life and look for opportunities to capture special emotional moments as well as a variety of styles of composition and inanimate subjects. As an amateur I am still working on techniques, composition and naturally opportunities.Time
This was early one morning when I got up and noticed that "Boy" did not wake as I walked by him. He was on the floor at the end of the bed fast asleep. I was so happy that he didn't "alert" to the sensation of my walking past him and wake up. It was a tremendous first opportunity to capture both him and me together, touching in a pose. It was a quick decision to grab the nearest "camera" (my cell phone) and snap the moment I had waited for for so long.Lighting
I was most fortunate as I have skylights in the room and thus diffused morning light was providing the just the right amount of lighting from both overhead as well as through closed window blinds. He would have awakened with the use of a flash. I have studied people photography with Linda Solomon who is a strong advocate of natural lighting and happily did not need a different angle for the light source at that time of day.Equipment
The only equipment I had available at that moment before he would might wake up was my Blackberry cell phone! I quietly turned around, grabbed it from its charger, flipped it open and set it for no flash. Most gingerly I laid my head on his and with my right thumb snapped the shot. This is a "selfie" quickly taken, knowing I only had one or possibly two chances for the perfect shot of this tender moment. It took two tries to catch this one. I always have a camera of some sort available (now an iPhone, a compact Panasonic Lumix 16 MP - by my patio door or in my purse - and/or my Nikon 3300 tucked in a handy spot in my car).Inspiration
Boy was a severely emotionally-abused dog from Detroit who was deaf, ill and near death when he was brought to my home to foster. He was terrified of being touched as he had never been touched in kindness in his life. He melted bit by bit to consistent, reliable love. He became my permanent family member. I very much hoped he would not awaken because I so much desired a photo of us together expressing our comfort with each other and communicating a deep sense of peace. This is the very first time Boy did not awaken with the light touch of my face against his head. Every other time I had tried it, he had jerked awake and in fright and looked at me. This photo is very precious as I captured this First Time Boy felt safe in his sleep being touched. He truly had melted with Love.Editing
I did not need any post-processing. Gladly the natural light provided the correct brightness and contrast - even with the Blackberry cell phone, which was the first time I had used it for a photo.In my camera bag
I now have a Nikon 3300 24.2 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR Lens and Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 SLD DG Macro Lens. I also carry several filters for a variety of effects depending upon the subject and lighting. I have a small tripod, lens cleaner air can, battery charger, remote control and extra battery. A Nikon WU-1a Wireless Mobile Adapter I keep in a side pocket in case I want to send a photo immediately.Feedback
Be patient, wait for the right moment, and always keep in mind the importance of natural lighting for the most true capture. You may have to try the shot on several days if the living subject is sensitive, but persevere. I would also recommend ALWAYS having a camera with you, be it a small, basic one in your pocket to capture the unexpected or your best camera for grabbing the perfect photo you planned. Always be ready! Seize the opportunities!
