Dog Show advice?

[fraley]

I'm going to an indoor dog show Saturday. The venue is a large indoor stadium. Should be relatively well-lit. I'm thinking of using a Yashica GSN with a 1.7 lens, and 800 speed color film. Seems to me a flash would be intrusive. I'm hoping to get pictures of

a) dogs!
b) dogs and their owners

Anyone shoot at this kind of event before? Any advice?

 

[rover]

I have not shot one before, but even if it seems well lit, I be it will be darker than you think it is. How about a fast B&W like Delta 3200? That will address the color temp of the lighting too. I would shoot from a kneeling posture, or sitting on the ground. Have to get down to the dogs level.

 

[wlewisiii]

My thought would ba something that has a moderate tele available - sit back just a little further to avoid hassling the critters. Say an 85mm or thereabouts. I agree with rover on the film - those places look bright until you see the negatives.

FWIW,

William

 

[back alley]

for really great shots...take a cat with you!

joe

 

[nwcanonman]

I have shot indoors (large auditorium) with a Canonet 1.7 lens, with yellow filter and 400asa film and had NO PROBLEM handheld. Just try to keep the shutter above 1/30th, or better yet 1/60th and you will like the results.

 

[RML]

Indeed these venues can be darker than you think. So, as already recommended, a fast lens and fast film would be my choice.

The advice of a longish lens is a good one too. Especially the owners can be tense; for them it's often a competition. And some dogs just get very nervous because of all the unfamiliar smells, sounds/ noises and bitches-in-heat. 🙂 And 85mm lens will get you close up from a short distance.

 

[JoeFriday]

the best advice I ever heard was don't bring a knife to a dog show.. oh wait.. that's 'gun fight'.. nevermind

 

[matu]

Michael I inderstand that you want to shoot in colour with your Yashica GSN, but you cant use faster film because the ASA rating is up to 1000.
Has anyone come to a solution with this or another camera should be consider?

 

[Nick R.]

I'd go with the shortest lens possible. With slow shutter speeds, it'll help with handheld shots.

 

[Pherdinand]

Matu - with the gsn the only solution is to get the battery out - you can still set the aperture but it will always fire at 1/500 s. That kind of defeats the point of using a fast film, i know...

I am sure it is possible to tweak the electronics to, say, double the ISO scale, or triple it, but i wasn't able yet to do it. Yet.

 

[Doug]

Something to be said for the shorter lenses... It forces you to get in close and interact with the dogs & their people. And, if allowed, that's more fun, and could lead to some great shots!

 

[rover]

If walking around watching the grooming and prep for the show I think you are right Doug, getting close with a wide angle lens would be interesting. During the show though you don't want to distract the dog. Kneeling down and aiming a camera at a dog will most likely get their attention if you are very close, they then to be much more aware of their surroundings than most humans. Distractions can harm their chances in the show, and inevitably lead to getting your lens licked.

 

[Doug]

I'm sure you're right, Rover! I expect there'd be some useful photo ops during preparations, around the periphery, and afterwards.

 

[nwcanonman]

"Look for my Groundhog Day Sale offers!"
........................................
Hey Rover (how appropriate for this theme),
My wife is from Penn. and Groundhogs Day is a holiday there. What's for sale ~ ;- ) ?