Dog Park Portraits

Recently, my husband bought me a Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II lens for my camera (Canon EOS Digital Rebel DSLR). At just under $100, this lens is reputed to have a lot of bang for the buck and is a favorite of many professional photographers. Personally, I don't know much about photography or lenses (it might help if I'd actually read the manuals). But I do enjoy taking my camera to the dog park for the challenge of trying to get at least one or two good photos in a batch. I'm sure we're all familiar with the blurry motion shots, the canine pile-ups where the dogs all look deranged, or the ubiquitous butt shots. Wouldn't it be nice if the dogs would actually stand still and cooperate!

But here are a few of the more successful pictures I've been able to get. Which one is your favorite?

Look at German shepherd, Beau, majestic in his dominant stance over Cabana. If only Cabana didn't look so goofy with her her jowl stuck comically in her teeth. Beau has no awareness of his tremendous size--he's a little dog in a big dog's body.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, here's Rowdy, who thinks he's Big Man on Campus. He struts onto the field and announces himself with a stream of barks, meaning, "I'm here, everyone take note of my presence!"

Talk about in your face! Jack the pug, being sniffed by Cody, the rusty red Golden retriever.

Two pairs of Australian shepherds--from the left, Cooper, Peanut, puppy Naavi, and Gus. The puppy Naavi is Cooper's uncle, while Peanut and Gus are littermates. (This photo was taken with my little Kodak EasyShare, which may account for why the grass looks SO unnaturally green.)

Another shot of Cooper with his long and glorious coat.

Cabana doesn't care that Bernese mountain dog Bayla is twice her size. Bayla is a sweetheart who loves to romp and run with everybody at the park.

We've only met Shenzi a couple times, but I'm captivated by her gentle face and the way one ear flops down while the other stands straight up.

Sweet Odie is part Great Pyrenees and part something else. Odie's owner says he got Odie from the breeder for the discounted price of $50 because the breeder wasn't quite sure what the "something else" was.