Pet Photography Project 52 Week 5 : Depth of Field

This week’s topic in the Pet Photography Project 52 blog circle is “Depth of Field”. This is a term in photography that refers to the amount of acceptable focus in an image. When much of the image is in focus it can be described as having a “deep” or “wide” depth of field. When only a small portion of the image is in focus it’s referred to as having a “shallow” depth of field.

One example of photos that will usually have a deep depth of field are landscape images. In these it’s usually important and desirable to have as much of the photo in focus as possible. In portrait photography it can be the complete opposite, where only the subject is in focus and everything else is blurry or out of focus. This helps separate the subject from the background and eliminate any distracting elements as well.

Below are some examples of photos that have a very shallow depth of field. This puts the focus entirely on the subject. I did include 2 photos that were taken in the same spot with both a shallow and deep depth of field to illustrate how important this can be in portrait photography. In the second photo, although the background is still out of focus, it is a little distracting and busy.

My subject for this week’s post is Dorothy, the Dazzling Yorkie on Wheels. She is a 5lb, 12 year old Yorkshire Terrier. She is owned by Nicole Brown, who runs a great dog walking/pet sitting business here in Miami called Miami Pet Concierge (www.miamipetconcierge.com). Dorothy’s back legs were paralyzed in an accident early in her life with a previous owner. This has not stopped her from living life to the fullest! In spite of her handicap she just wants to go, go, go! She has a special set of wheels made by Eddie’s Wheels (www.eddieswheels.com) that let her go almost anywhere a normal dog can go. She is also a therapy dog and some of her work includes visiting seniors at the Palace, working at the Pinecrest Library in the “Paws to Read” program helping children who speak English as a second language, Miami Children’s Hospital, South Miami Hospital, University of Miami Law School and many others. She has also been showcased in two books including “A Letter to My Dog” by Robyn Layton, and “Lost Souls: Found! Inspiring Stories About Pets With Disabilities” by Kayla Duff & Lowry Mumford, and American Dog Magazine.

When asked to tell me about her personality Nicole said:

Dorothy loves to wrestle with her big brother, Gus, a Terrier Mix. Food – she will eat anything and everything. The top on her list are carrots, sweet potato and frozen blueberries. Her favorite place to sleep is the crease between two couch cushions. She absolutely adores driving in her car seat with the windows down, exploring new places on her wheels, being the center of attention and bossing big sister, Lady, the Beagle around. Dorothy thinks she is as big as Great Dane and as fierce as a Rottweiler. When we are not home you will most likely find her guarding the house from her teepee!

 

Don’t miss the link to the next photographer in the blog circle below the photos!

Taken at ISO 200 / 85mm / F/1.8 / 1/6400 sec. This is considered a very shallow depth of field.


Taken at ISO 200 / 85mm / F/7.1 / 1/500 sec. This photo was taken in the same location with a deeper or wider depth of field.





Next up in the blog circle is Nancy Hedtke of Salty Paw Pet Photography, Savannah, GA.

30 comments
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  • Lisa BrowningFebruary 2, 2018 - 1:14 pm

    Look at that face!!! I love the photos and the beautiful bokeh. I’d like to put in a formal request for more Dorothy in future blog posts! She’s precious.ReplyCancel

  • Kim HollisFebruary 2, 2018 - 2:25 pm

    Such a sweeter. I prefer the images with the deeper depth of field so I can see her wheels. 🙂ReplyCancel

    • JohnFebruary 2, 2018 - 4:03 pm

      Thanks! Yea, the cart adds a little more visual interest to her whole body.ReplyCancel

  • KirstenFebruary 2, 2018 - 2:44 pm

    I am in love with this cutie! Fantastic images!!ReplyCancel

  • AnonymousFebruary 2, 2018 - 3:20 pm

    What a luv bug. Lovely Bokeh, DoF examples.ReplyCancel

  • UrsulaFebruary 2, 2018 - 3:22 pm

    What a lovely luv bug. Love the bokeh and specular highlights in the last one. Beautiful examples of DoF.ReplyCancel

  • KellyFebruary 2, 2018 - 6:51 pm

    What a cutie!!! Love the beautiful bright images!ReplyCancel

  • Tim EvansFebruary 2, 2018 - 7:24 pm

    Dorothy is so cute! I don’t know which photo is my favorite.The first with the shallow depth of field puts more emphasis on her face, but I also love the photos with her wheels in focus, because it shows how she doesn’t let that problem stop her.I really have to complement you on these photos. Truth is, I’ve always felt a little sad for dogs like Dorothy. But your photos do such an excellent job of showing her vitality and energy that those feelings are totally inappropriate.ReplyCancel

    • JohnFebruary 2, 2018 - 11:15 pm

      Thanks Tim. Yea, I tend to feel a little sad for handicapped animals as well. Fortunately she is very tiny so it doesn’t take much for her to get around. If you saw her scooting around in those wheels as fast as she does it would definitely put a smile on your face.ReplyCancel

  • DarleneFebruary 2, 2018 - 9:01 pm

    I”m so in love with this little peanut, Dorothy!  What a sweetheart!  Gorgeous images captured of her and great explanation of this week’s topic.  The first image is my favorite!  ReplyCancel

    • JohnFebruary 2, 2018 - 11:12 pm

      Thanks! She’s definitely one of kind. She loves to gives kisses when you pick her up. So cute!ReplyCancel

  • Linda PerdueFebruary 2, 2018 - 9:36 pm

    Beautiful little girl – glad she found someone that will give her the special attention she needs!ReplyCancel

    • JohnFebruary 2, 2018 - 11:12 pm

      She is really adorable and lives a good life.ReplyCancel

  • Danyel RogersFebruary 2, 2018 - 11:56 pm

    Dog wheel chairs have been an amazing invention for dogs like this. Great images!!ReplyCancel

    • JohnFebruary 3, 2018 - 2:22 am

      Thank you! Yea, she gets around pretty well on most surfaces. It really hardly slows her down at all. 🙂ReplyCancel

  • NancyFebruary 3, 2018 - 4:29 am

    She is such a cute little model.  ReplyCancel

    • JohnFebruary 6, 2018 - 3:29 am

      Yes, she is adorable! She’s got personality to match that cuteness too. 🙂ReplyCancel

  • ElaineFebruary 3, 2018 - 3:05 pm

    Lovely photos, John.  That bokeh is perfect!  Dorothy is a beautiful little girl!ReplyCancel

  • LyndaFebruary 4, 2018 - 6:40 am

    What great photos and an awesome little model! She has a busy life and is a fine example of a positive attitude. So cool to see. Thank you.ReplyCancel

    • JohnFebruary 6, 2018 - 3:30 am

      Thanks! Yea, when I see her scooting around it’s inspiring.ReplyCancel

  • Tracy AllardFebruary 5, 2018 - 12:31 pm

    Dorothy is the perfect model, you can see the determination on her face! Great examples of DOF and expression and emotion in your images.  Just lovely. ReplyCancel

  • Linda MetcalfFebruary 5, 2018 - 9:49 pm

    Dorothy is adorable and these images of her are lovely! I don’t often think to use my 85mm with dog. This has given me reason to give it a try!ReplyCancel

    • JohnFebruary 6, 2018 - 3:32 am

      Thank you! I’m way more comfortable with my 70-200mm, but the 85mm at f/1.8 really creates some lovely images. It just requires me to get a little closer to the dogs.ReplyCancel

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