Lana

Lana keeping an eye on the youngsters.

You have done a fair job with a white dog, very difficult to get the light right to do the dogs coat justice. How old are the pups now? My sister asked me to photograph her Black Newfoundland when I was in Spain, I had a go but I found if difficult to get much detail and have spent hours trying to make the shots worth sending her. Do you find it easier in the sun or when it is overcast?

It was actually quite a dull day but came out better than I thought. I struggle with blacks than whites, Lana is really photogenic. With the blacks I definitely find it easier when there's sunshine myself but the experts will be able to advise you better than I ever could!

Lana is the grandmother to the pups and I can't believe it but they'll be 6 months old in less than 2 weeks time. Calida is nearly as big as her mum now and a real handful.

Di - The 450D has an inbuilt white balance feature on menu 2. You simply take a photo of a white surface and commit it to the camera's memory in menu 2. You can then recall it to expose/balance a strongly contrasting subject precisely.

Try it - you will find it easier than you think, and it will take all of the hard-thinking and frustration out of furture difficult subjects.

On the picture - I would have liked to have seen Lana composed fully in the frame. Something about looking up a dog's backside is slightly offputting! Let's see her face on - please.

Nice one

Ahh I'm going to do backsides of all the dogs then everyone has to guess which one is docked??????

LOL, I'm always taking dogs backsides too, but then I think my breed have unusual backsides.

Nice shot PD, can I see one of her face though as I bet she she is gorgeous xx

I think Lana's got a cute bottom, at least it's hairy not like a baboon Took a couple of her head so will put these on tonight hopefully.