corkman

I don't consider it "work" anymore because there's so much satisfaction doing it. I keep posting these photos because I'd really like to encourage more photo.net members who have the will and the time to consider doing the same for their local shelters. The only downside is that you do get attached to these loveable animals so there's some sadness involved as well. Thanks again. Regards, Bill.

Thanks for the comment J. Actually I didn't have to crop that much, but composing is not an option. Every Thursday I shoot 8 to 10 animals for my local humane society in about 2 hours. Object, to get one good facial shot and one good body shot to be used on the shelter's web site. The animals are taken right from cages in very loud chaotic kennels. They are stressed, fearful, and extremely energetic. I have two volunteer handlers (essential)  to get their attention and keep them from jumping off the table. I'm on an office chair with wheels following them, using continuous auto focus, and a quick zoom lens.  I use up most of a 4 gig card in one session. All the rules for studio photography of pets, which I've done, don't apply here. Strobes and flash are useless. It's continuous flood lighting. If you love animals and want a challenge I urge you to try it. Regards, Bill.

A beautiful creature it's owner didn't want left at the shelter to wonder

what he did wrong..

A beautiful young husky pup found abandoned and homeless,now at the

shelter putting on her best "take me home" look.

My thoughts are with you and Emmy. In my work with my local shelter I see strays that have been rescued by caring dog lovers on almost a daily basis so I'm hopeful this will be her happy ending as well. Bill 

Stacy is a female terrier-mix puppy found on the street and taken to the

shelter with a horrible gash across her back, obviously caused by an

abusive human. She's slowly learning to trust the loving humans caring

for ger at the shelter.

Forgot to mention, this is one of a litter of pit-sheperd mix puppies at my local humane society.

I appreciate your interest and your comments. With this new venture I had create a makeshift studio at the shelter consisting of sturdy table, a neutral backdrop I had when doing studio work because in one two hour session shooting 8 to 10 animals I will get all white, all black, and every color in between., and all sizes. Changing backdrops is not an option. Perfection is not the goal, getting shots that help the animals get adopted is the goal. I copied and pasted the following from another critique that will give you a better picture of how this works, and why. I use continuous AF and lock the focal point in the center. Here's that other lengthy critique you might find of interest.

I'm still i making adjustments in settings, since I started this a few weeks ago. Here are some of the parameters involved in shelter photography. Must be continuous light, stropbes and flash don't work. I use two 500 watt floods. Set WB at 3200 Kelvin. Manual mode,  1/160 -f5 to f5.6. The animals are constantly moving. Need two shots of every animal for shelter's web site. Facial closeup and body shot so a full range fast zoom lens essential. I'm sitting on an office chair with wheels at eye level to animals moving with them, continuous AF fast trigger. Two handlers helping, one behind me to get their attention, another at table to keep them from jumping off. Do 8 to 10 animals in an hour and a half. They range from 150 lb dogs to kittens. I've done studio animals in the past, in this case throw away the book. It's a challenge like no other I've ever experienced. You're not looking for blue ribbons, just help these poor souls find a loving hoime. If it seems like I'm on a crusade to get other phtographers to consider shelter work ... you're right!

Nice photo Jorge. And I appreciate your concern. But even though he is fed regularly, this beautiful creature is not here by choice.  A loving home, cuddling with humans, would be his choice if he had the opportunity to experience one. Has anyone talked to a local humane society about him? The common mispercetion that he might be euthanized is patently false. He is in danger, especially as he ages. Eventually he'll be a throw-away when the novelty wears off. Just a thought. Regards, Bill.

Great shot Issac.  Well seen. Well executed. Regards, Bill

Thanks Rudd and Jeremy. You're right Jeremy, the face is soft but not because of shutter speed, it's a too shallow aperature.  I'm still i making adjustments in settings, since I started this a few weeks ago. Here are some of the parameters involved in shelter photography. Must be continuous light, stropbes and flash don't work. I use two 500 watt floods. Set WB at 3200 Kelvin. Manual mode,  1/160 -f5 to f5.6. The animals are constantly moving. Need two shots of every animal for shelter's web site. Facial closeup and body shot so a full range fast zoom lens essential. I'm sitting on an office chair with wheels at eye level to animals moving with them, continuous AF fast trigger. Two handlers helping, one behind me to get their attention, another at table to keep them from jumping off. Do 8 to 10 animals in an hour and a half. They range from 150 lb dogs to kittens. I've done studio animals in the past, in this case throw away the book. It's a challenge like no other I've ever experienced. You're not looking for blue ribbons, just help these poor souls find a loving hoime. If it seems like I'm on a crusade to get other phtographers to consider shelter work ... you're right!

I appreciate you kind comments. I only began shooting shelter animals as a volunteer a few weeks ago so there's a lot I have to learn because it's not your typical assignment. These animals are so stressed out, and so excited to be out of their cages and have contact with caring humans, that you have to be well prepared to catch whatever pose they give you because you're almost always shooting at a moving target. I do have an agenda with what I'm doing. There are so many exceptional photographers in the Photo.Net membership, I'd really like to motivate others like me, animal lovers who have the time and are motivated to volunteer their skills to their local shelters. I've learned that most adoptions start with visits to shelter web sites, and typically most photos of the animals are snapshots in excercise yards looking down on them, so better photos will go a long way to give these wonderful creatures the loving home they yearn for. Sorry, I seem to have gotten carried away. But not sorry at the same time. Regards, Bill

Pit Shepherd mix puppy with a lot of questions. Especially, when the

hell am I going to get out of this shelter?

Hi Suzi, I've been out of the loop for awhile so it was good to see an old friend like Sweetpea and sidekick. Great use of black and white, well executed. Regards, Bill

2-year old Bo was horribly neglected found living in a small cage

standing in his own feces and urine. Now he's in the shelter and loves

everybody and everything which is no surprise considering his past.

Beautiful Valentina! Great choice of aperture setting to lose the ornate rug in the background. And those eyes!

Terry got adopted!!! Smart enough to know that no human could

possiblly resist "The Look."

hard to see who's the most envious Vladimir. My money's on the tall lamp envying the kerosine lamp's simple, uncomplicated existence.

Remarkably sharp, and so intriguing. Stimulates the active imagination with dozens of questions without answers. Fine work as usual Vladimir.

Sweet Maggie is back at the shelter after a brief stay with a family that

decided she had too much energy for them to handle. The energy is a

combination of puppy energy and love of people that she displays with

great enthusiasm.