My bichon frise puppy, Rowdy, is crazy for these balls. He even sleeps with one in his bed, and it's the first thing he grabs when he wakes up in the morning. He's constantly wanting to play fetch. After he works the squeaker out of it he wants a new one. We've limited him to 1 new one a week, but he's managed to refine his sense of smell (further than normal dogs) and can locate the new balls wherever they are hidden. When he gets a new ball he goes into a frenzy for an hour, clawing and chewing and squeaking the ball non-stop. He really is 'completely obsessed.' Photo is intentionally grainy to better illustrate the raw edge on which this adorable dog lives with his passionate obsession.

I love this shot! I love how he is even using his paws to clutch his prized possession! --amy

Wonderful shot, Bev, my dear friend! I love the graininess as it realy gives the whole photo a fascinating texture. I wish I could see his frenzy upon receiving a new ball. It sounds like a reall hoot!

Fond regards,

Endre

PS How do you get a 5 D shot to be grainy

AMY: Thanks! Really appreciate the comments; glad you noticed his claws and how possessive he is in this photo, cuz he is/was! :-)

ENDRE: Thank you so much! I never tire of watching Rowdy with a new ball. It is unbounded joy and insanity mixed into a little fuzzball package. Someday I must get a video of it. He won't even let you touch the ball till he's done going crazy for it!

I got a 5D shot to be grainy by shooting in ridiculously low light with no flash. I could have added the grain back in, but I wanted a dark, moody shot, and this did the trick. The raw image was very dark, which guarantees noise when lightened. Even a 5D is no match for a woman obsessed with creating noise! Muehahahahahaha !!

Hi Bev,

I love how his eyes look sorta frenzied in this shot. Each and every week I am amazed how you capture and magnify the beauty of every day life. This shot is a great example.

Best wishes,


Steve S.

I know dogs just like that. Very good shot. Great perspective.

What a cutie! Great image and thanks for the tips on such "desirable" grain! It sure makes this photo. My dog was crazy about tennis balls. Never took his intent eye off of one if you were throwing it and he carried it around with him everywhere! The placement of the color with the extra balls makes a perfect composition with the rest of the details.

Jamie

As a die-hard Leica film fanatic, I love grain. I've never been one of those who think that ultra-sharp res and advertising shots are something to strive for. I love what the grain does to the coloured balls - it seems to add to the playfulness of the shot, imho.

Strad - you can add all types of grain in Photoshop CS. I'm a great fan of 'horizontal grain' - it's under Filter-Texture-Grain - drop down menu for all kinds of different grains. I use it a lot in my black and white 5D shots, and yes, have fooled a lot of people into thinking a shot was taken with my Leica...

Steve Spencer wrote:
Hi Bev,

I love how his eyes look sorta frenzied in this shot. Each and every week I am amazed how you capture and magnify the beauty of every day life. This shot is a great example.

Best wishes,


Steve S.

THANKS, Steve. So nice of you to comment, and such nice comments, too!!

Klaus Priebe wrote:
I know dogs just like that. Very good shot. Great perspective.


Thanks so much, Klaus! Dogs are wonderful. I've taken so many photos of mine, but this one is now a new favorite for my collection.

contre-jour wrote:
What a cutie! Great image and thanks for the tips on such "desirable" grain! It sure makes this photo. My dog was crazy about tennis balls. Never took his intent eye off of one if you were throwing it and he carried it around with him everywhere! The placement of the color with the extra balls makes a perfect composition with the rest of the details.

Jamie


Jamie, thanks so much! Grain can be added in Photoshop and with other plug-ins, but for the WA I like to strive for in-camera technique as much as possible anyway. Your dog sounds like mine; Rowdy keeps his eye on the ball, too. He tries to carry his ball outside when we go get the mail, but my house is on a steep slope and if he turns loose of the ball it goes down into the street and then rolls down the street to the gutter unless I run after it (I've trained him not to go into the street)! So I have to keep an eye on the ball, too. ha

suse wrote:
As a die-hard Leica film fanatic, I love grain. I've never been one of those who think that ultra-sharp res and advertising shots are something to strive for. I love what the grain does to the coloured balls - it seems to add to the playfulness of the shot, imho.



Thank you, Sue! I LOVE Leica film images and had a good friend who collected Leica cameras and even owned one by Ansel (whom he met). I agree about not striving for ultra-sharp res, etc.; there is much to be said for that old style look. I've admired your images and have noted the grain in some; very nice. Appreciate your feedback.

bev

Very good composition!
Yes, dogs are great; don't know what I'd do without mine!
regards,
~Carrol

Wonderful shot Bev! I have a border-collie with the same obsession, single track mind I guess....

Jason

Beverly,

Wonderful shot. In my opinion I feel it was a very clever choice to go with the noise. It enhances the shot significantly. If those are not the eyes of obsession then I am not sure I know what is. Great entry and good luck.

Karen