Animal Photography
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
United States
July 1, 2012 4:36pm CST
So one of my favorite things to photograph is, of course, my pets (and any other animals I can get a shot of). One of my dogs, Sam, loves to jump in the pool after a tennis ball, so I got some really good pictures of that.
I recently entered one photo into a contest (NOT asking for votes, not that kind of contest! Haha). Anyways, I could earn a trip for 2 to Paris and a bunch of other stuff. I actually entered two photos but I'll show you my favorite in this discussion.
I entered it into the "Split Second" category of the contest. It is one of Sam's pool pictures. Please let me know what you think! I welcome CONSTRUCTVIE critism.
1 person likes this
8 responses
@PageTurner (2825)
• United States
2 Jul 12
Hello LilyoftheThorns
The photograph of Sam diving into the pool is cool. Sam looks happy and I like the way the water is splashing around him.
I used to have a black labrador as well, Rex. Rex loved to make three laps in the pool every morning and every evening. It didn't matter how cold it was, Rex would still make his three laps around the pool. I wish that I had some photographs of this but, alas, I do not.
Peace
1 person likes this
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
2 Jul 12
Oh my gosh! You couldn't pay me to jump into a pool when it was cold! Haha. I do not like being cold!!! Rex sounds like he was a goofy dog!
2 people like this
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
2 Jul 12
Sam doesn't really like to swim (I know, these pictures suggest otherwise! haha). He is fine jumping into the pool and retrieving his ball, but once he has it he swims right to the stairs to get out!
Aww too bad you weren't able to get pictures of Rex! Black labs are such cool dogs.
Thank you 
2 people like this
@PageTurner (2825)
• United States
2 Jul 12
Yes, they are cool dogs. Great dogs.
In the cold winter months Rex would act like he was freezing and we would let him inside, but I knew he was faking. I didn't mind having him inside at all. In fact I enjoyed it and like to see him relaxing by the fire. But inevitably every morning he would get up, go outside and jump in the pool. He just loved it.
1 person likes this
@psychoartist (756)
• United States
2 Jul 12
hi lilyofthethorns! i am a dog lover, and am often taking pictures of our dog the princess...she sometimes gets frustrated with my following her around with the camera, or dressing her in different hats for pictures...i think your photo of your sam is excellent! other than the fact that sam is a beautiful dog, the colors are vibrant, the water splash is really cool, and it is just a happy joyful vibe...i also have painted some pictures of the princess...that works a lot better for her and me..your sam is really beautiful and i know you enjoy taking the photos..i hope you win the trip to paris! good luck to you lilyofthethorns...
1 person likes this
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
2 Jul 12
Lol my foster dog doesn't like getting her picture taken either. She always looks so cute but as soon as I get the camera out she moves or runs away! Haha.
Thank you! I'm glad you like it. I like the water splash too, it's like it's framing Sam! I don't have the ability to paint that well though, so I stick to taking pictures! lol
Here is a picture I was able to get of my foster dog, Tinkerbell.
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
2 Jul 12
I really like the second one that you posted with the tennis ball on the top of the water and your dog well above the water. It is an awesome photo and you managed great timing in these images. So, how many times did you have him jump into the water? 
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
2 Jul 12
Lol I only had him jump in a few times. He enjoys it, and it actually didn't take me long to get all these shots (thanks to the sports setting on the camera).
Thank you
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
4 Jul 12
Yes I do! Haha. It's allowed me to get so many great pictures that I'm so happy with!
@BabyCheetah (1911)
• Australia
2 Jul 12
This is not a bad photo, I really love the water and you got it at the right moment. Do you photograph in Jpeg or RAW format and do yo use Photoshop for editing? :)
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
2 Jul 12
Thank you Cheetah I love the sports setting on the camera. It has allowed me to get a lot of great action shots of my animals.
My photos are in JPG format. I do not have photoshop, I'm too cheap to pay for things like that! Haha. I just use a simple built in photo thing to brighten up the photos.
I love the sports setting on the camera. It has allowed me to get a lot of great action shots of my animals.
My photos are in JPG format. I do not have photoshop, I'm too cheap to pay for things like that! Haha. I just use a simple built in photo thing to brighten up the photos.@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
2 Jul 12
I don't mind as long as you don't try to pass it along as your own and profit from it! Haha. I don't think you can upload pictures to your posts until you've reached 500 posts.
Do you mean upload it to your photo gallery? yeah if you want to do that I'll go look at it real fast.
Thanks!
@BabyCheetah (1911)
• Australia
2 Jul 12
Ahh I see well hope you don't mind I decided to edit in photoshop just a touch. I'm a hobby photographer so I got Photoshop and all that stuff. Was hoping to upload in this comment but there doesn't seem to be an option for me for that unless I will get that later on. Should I upload temporarily to the gallery so you can save it? Haven't done it before I'm still new here but I'm sure it isn't rocket science hehe :)
@vidhyaprakash_2 (7116)
• India
2 Jul 12
Hi friend, good to know that you got rewards for uploading your pet photo, really it is a great surprise for you. I watched the picture, really it is too cool. I think your pet is enjoying in the pool
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
2 Jul 12
He loves jumping into the pool, he just doesn't like swimming in it! Haha. Thank you, I'm glad you like it.
I haven't won any rewards yet, I'm hoping to win. Keep your fingers crossed for me!
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
2 Jul 12
Haha thank you! I will certainly let you all know when I win the Paris trip!
@vidhyaprakash_2 (7116)
• India
2 Jul 12
surely you will win the rewards for that cute photo. My wishes for it. Be confident the reward is your's. Don't forget to update here after getting the rewards
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
1 Jul 12
Thank you I have a few pictures of Sam, but this is my favorite so far. I'd like to get more and try to get a couple more pictures that i am this happy with.
Here's another one of the shots I got of him that I think is pretty good. There are actually a couple I liked but I think the first one I showed was the best one, especially for the contest I entered.
I have a few pictures of Sam, but this is my favorite so far. I'd like to get more and try to get a couple more pictures that i am this happy with.
Here's another one of the shots I got of him that I think is pretty good. There are actually a couple I liked but I think the first one I showed was the best one, especially for the contest I entered.1 person likes this
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
2 Jul 12
I think they are both great, just a different perspective. So you turned in the first one? I think perhaps that was the better choice and I hope you win..
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
2 Jul 12
Yes I turned in the first one because I thought it looked more in focus. And I think the look on Sam's face is just too goofy!
Thank you carmel
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
2 Jul 12
Wow, that is an awesome photo..He looks so refreshed, and I guess I say that after dealing with 100 degree weather..lol I love it, great job. So were you in the pool when he jumped in? You are brave, I am to afraid to take my camera near any water, even to take pictures of the storm that came through Friday, probably because my previous camera got ruined when a load of frozen bread was put on top of it..
Anyway, I forgot to look and see if you posted other pictures, but I really like the one you originally posted.
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
2 Jul 12
Thank you! And it is summer here in Arizona now, so the water feels very very nice!
I was not in the pool when he jumped in, the camera I'm using is expensive and NOT water proof! I'm very careful with it! lol.
Here is another picture of Sam I took, different angle.
@jricky1 (6797)
• China
2 Jul 12
Hey,friend.The pic is so cool and awesome.I love it.Animals are just so cute and also the accompany of human.We should feel gratitude of it and be friends with them.I think sometimes photography also needs the feelings that conneted with you guys.Good luck,friend.@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
2 Jul 12
Thank you jricky
Yes, I love animals too. We as humans are blessed to have them as our companions. They always have such great expressions, that's why they make such great photography subjects!
Yes, I love animals too. We as humans are blessed to have them as our companions. They always have such great expressions, that's why they make such great photography subjects!