Dog Shows? Has anyone shot one?

My wife's cousin is a breeder and shows dogs. My wife is also a photographer. Now she is thinking shooting dog shows.

Anyone else been there done that? What was your experience?

Thanks

you might get more comments if you posted this in the "discuss pet photography" group.

the lighting is often very bad and you probably need a fairly long lens.

I have shown many dogs and shot many shows. I like to use a 70-200mm lens on a 1.6x camera and sit down or kneel at the edge of the ring. A lot has to do with how crowded the viewing area will be and the sizes of the dogs being shown.

If you think of a ring as a clock with the judge set up at 9:00 o'clock (although most rings are not round, you can think about superimposing a clock face looked at from above), I like to station myself at 6:00 o'clock.

Usually the dogs will be walked in a group around the ring counter counter-clockwise and stopped in a row from about 11:00 o'clock to about 2:00 o'clock.

Then they will be judged individually at the judges station at 9:00 o'clock and then walked across the ring to 3:00 o'clock and back to the judge.

Lighting depends entirely on the venue of the show. Outdoors is no problem except for direct overhead sun at times and backlighting at other times.

Lots of shows are held in fairgrounds and the interior of the buildings can have pretty grim (both in quantity and quality) lighting.

You are usually allowed to shoot pictures for your own personal use but, are not allowed to sell the pictures. Dog shows have official photographers whose income is derived from selling prints. Usually, their contract precludes any other photographer shooting for profit.

I did mean to post this in Pet talk, but I goofed.

I am beginning to see this at a lot of events and venues.

I have shot at dog shows but only in the Houston area. Yes, poor and low lighting is the norm and the judging seems to always be away from the spectators. I have come to believe this is purposeful to produce unfavorable photographs from the sidelines.

Flash photography is permitted (and almost always unflattering) at confirmation shows though you may get a sideways glance from an exhibitor. However, flash is strictly forbidden at the other venues such at obedience, agility, and flyball.

I would post a link to my pictures, but a simple google search will yield much better pictures to aspire to.

I took pictures for my breed club last year at 5 confirmation shows. 4 were outside and 1 was inside (Eukanuba). I used a 70-200 on a crop body and I was generally at the 70-120mm range. Flash was not permitted inside and the lighting was a mixture of temperatures. I was pushing the iso to 1600 at f2.8 and 1/125. I shot some agility indoors at 3200 and 1/250th. Yes, the dogs were a little blurry in agility.

Our dogs are put on a table for judging and I tried to position myself where I could see the whole dog as well as the judge and handler. It's challenging and I doubt you will be allowed to do it for profit as others have pointed out there is usually a designated show photographer.

In the warmer months allot of AKC dog shows are held outdoors. Fill flash is a must for bright days with harsh lighting. If you shoot agility make sure to use at least 300mm and place yourself far enough away so as not to distract the performing dog. I don't know if you will be given full access. Most of these shows hire a photographer and he will have a full set of lights and a background. If you get to shoot the winners make sure to bring a squeaky dog toy that you can squeak behind your back to get the dogs attention. Also, there is allot of traffic bringing various breeds in and out of the ring so make sure to stay out of the way and by all means do not get in the way of professionals that might be there.

In the UK it is not allowed only those doing it professionally and allowed to by the show committee in reality are allowed to take photographs and videos in the show ring. You can take photo's but it has to previously have been agreed by the owners of the dogs. I presume it's different in America.

One really difficult situation is shooting small dogs such as the toy breeds. If you get a shot of the dog and the entire handler, the dog is tiny in comparison. If you get a shot of the dog alone (except for a head on view) you will get the handler's shoes and parts of the handler's legs in the image...

Don't forget that, if your wife doesn't contract with the KC of the venue, she can consider setting up a mini-studio as a photographer vendor. I see zero to two (at the big shows) photo booths at each of the dog shows we attend. (about three weekends per month) If they weren't making money, they wouldn't return. .. and from appearances, it seems like they do have business. .. Unlike the 'award' shots, the vendors/photographers shoot some really nice portraits. If I see one this coming weekend, I'll take a snapshot of it to show you how they're set up.

I have shot pictures at the show, but usually just for personal use. The only one I was going to make money on, flaked out on me, and it was just pics of her dog on show grounds, but not showing. It was also after hours on the last day as people were leaving. This was a small show in a small town though, so I really dont think anyone cared.

I have taken pictures at a big show in San Francisco as well, but they were of the dogs in their little areas and not in the ring. I always ask the owner first, and I have never been told anything against taking pictures or having my camera there by any staff.

I understand the photographer has to make a living off of this, but at the same time... how is one supposed to get any practice to become a pro if they don't allow others to take pictures? I would hope the photography world isn't THAT cut throat... Most of the photographers I have spoken with were pretty laid back and ready to talk and give advice. Only ran into a couple that were stuck up *******s who acted like I was a nobody.

Basically what I'm getting at, is to just go to one and start taking pictures. Ask the owners of the dog first of course, and if anyone else says something to you, just explain that you are doing it for personal practice and nothing more. They SHOULD be ok with that...