Good Guys Wear White

Good Guy Zachary

Good Guy Henry

Dog Blog Post #2378

This is my fourth try with the white velvet backdrop, and I'm ready to declare it a success.

Very little was done to this image post-processing, other than what you would expect for a RAW file.

I'm shooting 2 EV, with a second speedlight (wearing a small softbox) at half power on the floor on the left, pointing toward the backdrop and up at about a 45 degree angle, each.

Photography Assignment

Our Daily Challenge - Feb 28, 2017 - "More White"

Daily Dog Challenge 1946. "Itsy Bitsy"

A bit more dog showing that I hoped. Perhaps it's time for a bigger hat.

That's It?

How many Good Guys do you need?

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© 2017 BZ Dogs - All Rights Reserved

Contrasting Texture

Feathers on the Floor

Freshly groomed paw and nail

Rear Paw Pad

Slightly different view of the same nail

Dog Blog Post #2377

I don't usually use the 60mm macro without a flash in the house, especially at night, as opening it up creates a shallow DOF that seems out of step with the point of shooting Macros.

But I was feeling lazy, and Henry was handy, so I thought I would give it a try.

FWIW: I'm mere inches away from Henry, resting my hand against the floor to steady the camera.

While I can hold 1/60s just fine on my own with that lens, I was already laying on the floor to get these, so, why not.

Photography Assignment

Daily Dog Challenge 1945. "Hard"

7 Days of Shooting: Contrasting Textures - Macro

All shots today were 1/60s, f/3.5, ISO 1600.

Soft Henry, high on his foreleg, I believe

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© 2017 BZ Dogs - All Rights Reserved

Cookie Farmers?

Farmer Henry

Farmer Zachary

Dog Blog Post #2376

So THIS is where Dog Cookies come from.

Who knew?!

Photography Assignment

Our Daily Challenge - Feb 26, 2017 - "Plant A Seed"

Daily Dog Challenge 1944. "And The Winner Is..."

Clearly, if the boys are able to grow Giant Dog Cookies from a bowl of Kibble, they are winners. :)

Umm... no. This wasn't really what I had in mind when I got up this morning.

But after spending a good portion of the afternoon sewing the twin of a prior prop (two dogs = two identical props) I decided to take advantage of the machine being out to try my hand at a quick pair of "farmer's overalls" with remnants I had on hand.

Not bad for a few minutes work, but not great, either.

The strap is just safety pined in place, so I'll probably pick up some overall hardware at the fabric store and see if I can improve on it.

Or I could pick up some real denim and just start over.

Oddly enough, denim is almost never found in my local fabric store's remnant rack. Either it's really popular as a remnant and snatched up as soon as it's put out there, or people tend to buy even yardage of the stuff and so there is rarely a partial yard left at the end of the bolt.

Yesterday...

... was Day Spa Day.

Sleepy Henry

Zombie Zachary

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© 2017 BZ Dogs - All Rights Reserved

Play Time

Playing Tug with Henry

Tug... Tug... Tug!

Dog Blog Post #2375

Henry LOVES playing tug.

Not Tug-of-War, as that would imply winners and losers.

No, Henry just wants to perform the act of tugging.

And he kinda needs you to help, as Zachary has Zero interest in the game.

Keep away, maybe, but definitely not tug.

Our first golden, Beau, also loved tug and I have no doubt that he and Henry would have had a blast playing together.

Photography Assignment

Our Daily Challenge - Feb 24, 2017 - "First Person Chores"

Daily Dog Challenge 1942. "The Things We Do For Love"

Don't get me wrong, I love seeing how happy playing tug makes the pup.

I just try really hard to NOT think about what his claws are doing to the hardwood floor.

OR

Furry Bellies!

I believe that's Zachary on the right

Uh... no, I haven't the slightest idea who is where

Do I worry about their teeth?

No, they have no interest in grabbing my hand, and even if they did, by mistake, they don't close their jaws when playing like this so it wouldn't matter.

Their feet? Now that's a different story. They are more than happy to use my legs as something to push off from, and they push hard!

These are obviously all iPhone shots.

While my new 35mm lens has made my Nikon my go-to camera for happy-snappies these days, it is too cumbersome/heavy to hold one-handed for shots like these.

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© 2017 BZ Dogs - All Rights Reserved

Colorful

Colorful Zachary

Dog Blog Post #2374

Umm... yeah.

Hopefully, this picture speaks for itself, because I haven't a clue what else I can say.

Photography Assignment

Our Daily Challenge - Feb 23, 2017 - "Colorful"

Daily Dog Challenge 1941. "Vivid"

It's been a while since I've picked up my knitting needles.

So many hobbies, so little time.

And yes, both items were made specifically for the boys, specifically for photo shoots.

The collar is a basket weave pattern, which I find very relaxing to do.

The stocking cap was rather ad-hoc, but it makes me laugh.

100x - 21 : Colorful Dog

Colorful Zachary demanding a raise

Henry decided he didn't like today's shoot, and threw in the towel before I managed to get anything worth uploading.

Occasionally he does that, for reasons known only to Henry.

I never press the issue since he's usually such a good sport.

Tomorrow is another day.

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© 2017 BZ Dogs - All Rights Reserved

Paw Pad

Rear Paw

Same paw - closeup on the nail

Same paw - look at all that fluff!

Dog Blog Post #2373

The Other Side of a dog paw.

No, I don't know whose, I'm afraid, so I credited both in the tags.

Usually I can tell by seeing the tops of the claws, as they have different light/dark patterning, but I only shot undersides today.

And no, of course I don't have their claw coloring memorized. However, Henry always goes first, so when the patterns change I know I've switched to Zachary!

I do know that the boys must be due for a trip to the Day Spa, given how fluffy those paws are.

Photography Assignment

Our Daily Challenge - Feb 22, 2017 - "The Other Side"

I might have to retake...

117 for 2017 - #51. "Nails"

... at some point, although their nails are kept quite short (I hate the sound of nails clicking on the hardwood floor) and are difficult to see under their fur even when their paws are freshly trimmed.

Daily Dog Challenge 1940. "Walking The Dog Day"

A bit of a stretch, perhaps, but it's hard to argue that it's not a normal part of walking the dog. :)

I love my Macro lens

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© 2017 BZ Dogs - All Rights Reserved

Cover Dog

Sportsdog Henry

Dog Blog Post #2372

The 21st Century Sporting Dog?

Photography Assignment

Our Daily Challenge - Feb 21, 2017 - "Leaves"

Daily Dog Challenge 1938. "Cover Dog"

100x - 21 : Sporting Dog

Sportdog Zachary

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Fine Wine

Zachary - Wine Connoisseur

Dog Blog Post #2371

Zachary, with a very Rare wine.

In fact, I'm pretty sure it's a one-of-a-kind. :)

Photography Assignment

17 Pictures in 2017 - #69. "Rare"

Daily Dog Challenge 1937. "Local History"

The boys' town is known for its wineries, which we always say we should visit, but rarely do.

100x - 20 : Wine Connoisseur

Henry - Wine Connoisseur...

... or not

Golden Dog Vineyards

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© 2017 BZ Dogs - All Rights Reserved

Renaissance Dog

Renaissance Henry

Dog Blog Post #2370

One hip hat... 450 years ago.

This is a sneak peak at prop #9 - a Tudor Flat Cap, without doubt my most ambitious sewing project to date.

It's loosely based on a rather rough drawing I found on the internet (which I vaguely followed) and a painting of Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester - a favorite of Queen Elizabeth I.

Fashioned from a remnant of costume "velvet", the top is lined with flannel to give it some body and the brim is lined with felt to make it a bit stiffer. It's impossible to see in the picture, but the top is pleated into the crown.

It was sewn entirely by hand - mostly because I didn't know what I was doing, so by the time I got done basting the bits together it was just as easy to keep going as to get out the machine.

Which probably would have whined about the thick layers, anyway.

While the hat is technically done (as of today!) I want to find a fancy ribbon or chain to go around it to replace this simple piece of ribbon.

FWIW: The top is help up by a reused, crumpled up, thin plastic bag, which brought home some new goodies from the fabric store this evening. The hat could also be worn completely flat, poofed up like a bowler, or with the top stretched over a plastic mesh circle to look somewhat mad-hatter-esk (yes, I tried it!)

(Prop #8, while completed, has yet to have its moment to shine.)

Photography Assignment

Our Daily Challenge - Feb 19, 2017 - "Hip"

Daily Dog Challenge 1937. "Hip To Be Square"

100x - 19 : Renaissance Dog #1 - yes, I know I said 100 unique "roles", but I'm thinking this is a pretty broad topic that can be be unique treated more than once. :)

Note to self: stop being lazy and iron creased backdrops before using. It takes me longer to obfuscate the creases in Lightroom than it would to do the ironing!

Renaissance Zachary

To read more about Robert Dudley (or see paintings/etchings) : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Dudley,_1st_Earl_of_Leicester

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© 2017 BZ Dogs - All Rights Reserved

What Bone?

Zachary, what are you doing with that bone?

Zachary: "What bone?"

THAT bone.

Zachary: "Well, looky there."

Dog Blog Post #2369

Like he didn't know it was right there beside him.

Photography Assignment

Our Daily Challenge - Feb 18, 2017 - "Has A Little Shine To It"

Daily Dog Challenge 1936. "Crooked"

Another Suspect?

Henry the Criminal?

Sorry pup, you just don't look the part.

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© 2017 BZ Dogs - All Rights Reserved

Hide and Seek

Time for some Hide and Seek...

Where's Henry?

Where's Zachary?

Dog Blog Post #2368

Or is it Where's Waldo?

Which one is not (quite) like the others?

"Doing Nothing" is a Henry specialty.

Zachary? Not so much.

Photography Assignment

Our Daily Challenge - Feb 17, 2017 - "Confusing"

Daily Dog Challenge 1935. "Game

2017 Weekly Alphabet Challenge - G is for Game

Just Because

After all, who doesn't like watching their dogs play Bitey-Face?

wiggle squirm

"Roar!"

Fearsome Face

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© 2017 BZ Dogs - All Rights Reserved

It Came From Under The Sofa

Henry, there is nothing...

Henry: (whimper)

... living...

Doubting Henry

... under the sofa.

Dog Blog Post #2367

I keep telling Henry there's nothing living under the sofa, but for some reason he doesn't believe me.

Photography Assignment

Our Daily Challenge - Feb 15, 2017 - "Six Word Story"

Daily Dog Challenge 1934. "Just A Glimpse"

117 Pictures in 2017 - #116. "Just A Glimpse"

Played around with the second flash for the top two shots.

If you're curious, click on the image to pop over to Flickr (where all my images are hosted) to read a brief description.

Zachary: "It's OK Mom,  I'll explain to him once again that..."

Zachary (thinking): "Henry?"

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© 2017 BZ Dogs - All Rights Reserved

Bathing Beauties

Henry: "Momma, my ears are going to get wet."

Zachary: "Mom, my ears are getting hot."

Zachary: "Hey, I have a Henry VIII hat!"

Henry: "Now this is a muffin top."

Do you just love bath time?

Dog Blog Post #2366

Note to self: shower caps are NOT meant for dog heads.

Photography Assignment

Our Daily Challenge - Feb 15, 2017 - "Morning Rituals"

Daily Dog Challenge 1933. "Getting Ready"

100x - 17: Bathing Beauty

Meanwhile, Yesterday...

Snuggled on the sofa with my fur-babies.

Snuggly Henry

There's no such thing as "too close" with these guys.

Zachary's head was all the way up under my chin, making it impossible to get him in the picture.

Henry's head resting on my knee

Even Super Models get a day off every once in a while.

Our Daily Challenge - Feb 14, 2017 - "Caring"

Daily Dog Challenge 1932. "Be Mine"

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© 2017 BZ Dogs - All Rights Reserved

News Dog

News Dog Zachary: "So, Mr. Henry, I hear you are the Canine Model on the Luscious Locks label."

Mr. Henry: "Being chosen was one of the best days of my life."

Stay tuned for more of the exciting interview, after the break...

Dog Blog Post #2365

Zachary, Station WDOG's News Dog Push or Pushing a valued sponsor's product during a commercial break.

What product?

"Luscious Locks" by Canine Couture, of course. Another fine product of BZ Dog Inc.

(Henry was quite pleased to get the modeling job for that one a few years back.)

Photography Assignment

Our Daily Challenge - Feb 13, 2017 - "Push or Pushing"

117 Pictures in 2017 - #14. "Radio Day"

Daily Dog Challenge 1931. "Get The Message"

100x - 16: Radio Dog

I can now say, without doubt, that my dogs dress better than I do.

The collar is Prop #7 for the year, meaning I am finally caught up!

The microphone and stand were Prop #4.

Both were created specifically with this picture in mind (Radio Day), and this is their official debut - although I did upload a couple in-progress and/or lighting test shots of both over the past few weeks.

The backdrop fabric is also new - a lucky find at the fabric store over the weekend. I was a bit surprised to find I needed to break out the second flash to avoid nasty shadows in the lower left corner.

The shampoo bottle is most definitely not new, dating back to December 27, 2011. I trot it out once or twice a year, reprinting the label as needed.

News Dog Zachary: "What made this particular job so special?"

Mr. Henry: "Because I was selected over you."

(crickets)

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© 2017 BZ Dogs - All Rights Reserved