Herding

[CanadianKitKat]

Shot a herding trial this past weekend. It was tougher going than I thought it would be. I was worried that my 70-200 would be too short for it, but even at 70 it was rare that I could get the handler, dog and sheep in the same shot. It was tough to get the better dogs in the same shot as the sheep even because of course they stay so far off of the stock. The bad dogs were easier. I could have used a fisheye I think at some points! The sun was pretty harsh as well, and I was constantly switching my focal points because using the centre point was all but useless. But I had a good time, the people were really friendly :D

1.
http://kitkat987.smugmug.com/photos/546518997_qtKEN-L.jpg

2.
http://kitkat987.smugmug.com/photos/546519731_ZDMJZ-L.jpg

3. Gotta love the 'crouch'
http://kitkat987.smugmug.com/photos/546520053_bG6fY-L.jpg

4.
http://kitkat987.smugmug.com/photos/546521965_imeuN-L.jpg

5.
http://kitkat987.smugmug.com/photos/546520492_38AWe-L.jpg

6. Bad dog, but much easier to grab the action!
http://kitkat987.smugmug.com/photos/546522623_wrwNK-L.jpg

[Roy Mathers]

A good set, although the black canvas background detracts in some of them.

[EveryMilesAMemory]

#3 is Classic

[tracknut]

Love #3 :)

Nice shots, I agree these are very tough to get as the dogs are rarely particularly close to the sheep. Did you shoot any cows or ducks?

Dave

[Roy Mathers]

I must admit that I've never seen a poodle (?) used for sheep herding before. It's more usually the Border Collie.

[CanadianKitKat]

I must admit that I've never seen a poodle (?) used for sheep herding before. It's more usually the Border Collie.

That one is actually a Portuguese Water Dog. There were only actually a couple BCs running, it was a weird trial. There were quite a few Rotweillers actually, a couple of Aussies, a Kelpie and a few various breeds that I'd have never thought would have been on sheep.

Nope, no cattle or ducks at this trial. I think cattle would be good to shoot though since the dogs are more likely to get in and grip.

[James D]

good series, and #3 is good

[eddarr]

Those are tough exposures between the black background and the sheep. I bet the camera was having fits on its own. Do they get DQ'd for biting the sheep?

[CanadianKitKat]

Do they get DQ'd for biting the sheep?

I think so..... don't quote me on it though. This was a 'fun' match, so I'm not sure they were really playing by the rules necessarily. The judge came out and helped 'fix' up a couple of the dogs ;)