Jump!
Jan, 2019Views
142
Likes
Awards
Hidden Gem Award
People's Choice in Dogs in Action Photo Challenge
Peer Award
Magnificent Capture
Superb Composition
Absolute Masterpiece
All Star
Outstanding Creativity
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
The picture was taken in a forest near my house in France. The forest has a large part with heather, perfect for dog pictures in the calm. I usually do my action shots in the heart of the forest with dead leaves on the ground, but this time I wanted something new!Time
One of my favorite moment of the day now: the sunrise. The mist and silence were so soothing. It was a bit cold, I was waiting at 7am for my client and her two dogs Looping and Iron, I heard wild animals through the forest, the moment was so special. The photo was taken at 8:34, it was not so early and the light just started to be intense.Lighting
The natural light was soft this morning, it was perfect to highlight the scene. The sun came from the right, slightly behind, it perfectly draws her muscles, which adds dynamics to the action.Equipment
I used the Nikon D500 with the Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII only !Inspiration
I'm always trying to do something different. My biggest inspiration for dogs in action photography is Claudio Piccoli, he's very talented in what he does. I love dogs when they're flying very fast, I like to see the determination in their eyes. The place and the light were perfect, I had to try this action photo with this sports dog jumping over some logs and the heather.Editing
I adjusted a bit the contrasts, hilights and shadows, I slightly work the colors to make them more sparkling in the background and the heather. I also add a vignette and a little bit of light behind the dog. I reduced the blue on the dog because it was very present on the left side and the orange on the right side. The eyes were already very bright, I used to edit them in post-production but this time I left them as they were.In my camera bag
My favorite lens is the Nikkor 70-200 f/2.8, this lens is perfect for action and also portrait, of course I always have my Nikon D500 body, for me it's one of the best aps-c. I always take with me 2 batteries and several SD cards to be sure not to mess up my shooting. I also have silica bags to reduce the humidity in the backpack. Don't forget toys for the dogs!Feedback
You will need patience and wait for the best time to take the picture. Patience because the dog may not be perfect in his jump, because you may miss your first pictures because of a missed focus, but you have to try again and again! Light is also very important, avoid harsh sunlight to avoid burnt lights and unsightly shadows. Choose a natural place, the forests are the most appropriate, you will have thousands of possibilities. Don't forget to reward the dog!
