Gamer Dog

Zachary clearly doesn't believe on-line gaming is just for puppies.

Dog Blog Post #463: This was not my first idea for...

Saturday: Make a photograph that illustrates an aspect of communication.

My first idea had me taking many shots out back of wagging tails - a simple and effective solution to the assignment (or so I thought.)

But then I had a better idea (perhaps.)

Which may or may be better than wagging tails, but it did prompt me to spot-wash my non-fleece white backdrop...

(Mystery stains. Don't know, don't want to know.)

... and then try it out draped over the $4.99 trifold cardboard backboard with ends tucked into the kitchen drawers behind it to keep it things from falling over.

(Remember the shot below? The boys are in exactly the same spot...



... with the camera just a few feet closer and a few feet lower.)

Which turned out to be a smashing success - at least for prone pictures, as the boys are too tall for the backboard when they sit, unless they slouch a little. This is the plus for my normal setup (using the ex-pen) as I can use butterfly clips to raise the backboard 4"-8" higher by clipping it to the pen.

And while the lighting is still poor (as evidenced by the ISO 1800 and its associated noise) with an additional lighting source (and a taller backboard) this might actually be the best location yet, as I can put some distance between the boys and the camera then zoom in to avoid distortion, and still have room for me to direct attention without being in the shot.

The pictures were taken with the camera on the tripod on a 5 second startup delay, 2 shots per push of the button, 2 seconds apart. I was kneeling in front of them, just off camera, showing off my cookie collection.

Neither dog seemed to even notice the headset.

On another front, Scavenge Challenge for September is over (and complete!) and here is the list for October. As usual, you can click on it to see it larger. What's the grid at the bottom for? I write the numbers (1-25) in the squares in pencil, and then erase them as I upload. I find this to be most helpful at picking out what's left when I start getting down to the last half-dozen shots or so.

And finally, a spare sunset shot...

The End. :)

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