EAST TEXAS HOG DOGGERS FORUM

Steve and I went to the new bay competition in McCoy on Saturday and they allowed me to play photographer. It was run by Roger from Cool Arrow and I must say they did a great job.

The pigs were pretty green, lots of running early in the day, but our woods dogs aren't trained for perfect style. Sadie hit the ground at top speed when Steve threw her in, but she took one look at the boar, realized she had no buddies to support her and backed up pretty quick. She did much better in the Two Dog, but I think my dreams of paying the rent with a champion bay dog are over ::)

So, I know y'all are hog doggers and not bay penners, but I thought you might appreciate a few of my favorites. The rest of the pictures are here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/julieanna/sets/72157608654665407/.

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3280/3040468130_3989858dbc.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3221/3040472628_4f8cd395a4.jpg)

Sadie was very polite gave that boar plenty of personal space in the One Dog ;)
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3054/3039636809_e9fc3dba8b.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3243/3039624875_4cfe18f94f.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3140/3039619309_aa53d3df14.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3238/3040462426_4893040a4b.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3183/3040461182_0d844e09be.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3005/3039616875_94aee705ab.jpg)

awesome pictures,  the eyes in some of the dogs look as though they are glowing red, pretty neat. 

Nice pics! ;D

Great action shots. I love to see the 1/10th of a second "OH CRAP" expressions that can not be seen in real life. :D

Those are some really good pics you took.

TRUEBLUELACYS,

Please call me ASAP...361-772-8023

Cody, She is at work and wont be able to call until this evening. I have your phone # saved in my cell so Ill get it to her tonight.

Julie, over 900 pictures and there are only 30 or 40 that make the grade?

Steve

Steve,

Can you tell me what camera she is shooting with?  Mandi is looking to purchase a DSLR and I assume that is what these were taken with. Just looking for opinions on models and lenses.

Chris, I know that it is a Nikon D80 with Nikkor glass and that I don't know how to work it so she is best to answer.

If you look at her Fliker page, the EXIF data is available on each picture.

If you are around at Thanksgiving, we will be at my parents house in Friendswood so maybe Julie and Mandi can meet up for a lesson.........

Steve

MONTERIA,

Would you give me a call plz....

Seemed urgent, just called, got voice mail.

PS, I'm backing out of this thread now. I didn't mean to hi-jack....

Steve

Steve,

   Thanks, that might work out great. It would sure help us to make the right purchase the first time.

good pictures,, very clear

the best pic of a bay i have ever seen.

Great pictures,  I was at the bay also.  First time i have been and had a good time watching the dogs working.  I think i might have been standing right next to you for most of the time while you were taking pictures.  I was there with my uncle and son over next to one of the guys who was scoring on the blue chevy truck by the hog pens.  Had the bmc pup with us that kept trying to check out the action going on in the pen.

Hey Julie, i bet you could get my phone to take pics that good... Steve said you have a majic touch...LOL..j/j... ;D ;D ;D

good pics TrueBlue

Those are some awesome pics!!!!  You definately know what you are doing!!!

Nothing better than action pics. 

Thanks everyone, glad you enjoyed them! I love taking pictures of dogs at work. It is so challenging, I always learn something new about photography and the dogs with each shoot, and the results are especially rewarding.

Josh, you don't need to take good pictures with a cell phone when you can make it squeal like a caught hog :D

SBrooks, yup, that was me! Your son was adorable. I hope I wasn't in the way ruining his (and your) view.

Circle C, I shoot with a Nikon D80 and for this event I used a 35-70mm f2.8 lens. Personally I prefer Nikon, but Canon is another excellent option. The lens is probably more important than the body, you need something with a fast f-stop or you'll never get a sharp capture. I have to be honest, it takes a lot of practice to get good hog dog shots, all the movement and variable lighting making them a very tough subject. DSLRs and lenses aren't cheap, it is sorta scary taking such an expensive yet delicate investment into the woods, and the more you learn the more you'll want to buy. But I definitely think the photos are worth the time and money.

Very nice photography!

TrueBlue,

       If you were purchasing a new camera today, would you buy a D80 again, or would you look at a D90? D700?   Do you think that a D60 would work to get good action shots? lastly do you think there is a point of diminishing returns on the Nikon cameras when used by an amateur, and if so which model do you think that begins with.


     We keep an inexpensive Sony 7.1mp to carry in the woods. The dslr would primarily be used to photograph our herding dogs, and whatever else Mandi wants pictures of, but I doubt it will be carried into the woods.

Thanks,
Chris

Circle C,

Julie knows way more about SLR's than I do but I recently bought one for somebody and did lots of research.  The Nikon D90 is basically the same camera but it is capable of taking videos too.  My father and brother in law are both into photography and they both have the Nikon 200.  Takes great pictures but not any better than Julies.  They both recommended I look at the Cannon XSi.  Great camera for a couple hundred $$$ less than the comparable Nikon.  Ended up going with the XSi and its been great so far.   

Cull Buck,

     Thanks for the info. I will see what I can dig up on the XSi

Chris

Chris,

Julie spends a lot more time on the texasbowhunter.com photography forum than she does over here. Additionally, there are many other GREAT photographers, both professional and hobbyists, who are active on that forum and would be happy to help. There is also a mass of archived info available.

One of the things that I feel is especially advantageous about that forum in comparison to most photography forums is the fact that everyones specialty and interest lies in outdoor and wildlife photography.

Here is a link, I hope it helps. http://discussions.texasbowhunter.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=34

Pay special attention to Convert(Julie), Doncom, Atthewall, Rod, Legdog, Wildman, Casey and RusselGraves.

Steve

Steve,

    Thanks for the link.


   That is the same reason I ask my camera questions here. I figure the people on the outdoor forums are using their equipment in a similar fashion that I will.


Chris

I really enjoy checking out that forum Steve, I can spend a lot of time looking at all of the pics people take and reading how they took them.  I have been reading over there for about 6-8 months and really like it.
Matt

Great pictures Julie, I need to get me a camera like that. Definately the best action pics ive seen.

Chris, definitely follow Steve's link and check on the TBH photographers. They share a lot of tips on what equipment they use and how they set up the shots. If Mandi wants to get into taking good action and outdoors pictures, it's a great place to hang out. As Steve said, I go by Convert over there, just look for the Lacy avatar :)

"If you were purchasing a new camera today, would you buy a D80 again, or would you look at a D90? D700?" 

If I was buying today and money wasn't an on object, I'd buy the D300 or the D90, but only because I think I could utilize the additional features. The D300 has a ton of cool extras on it, like incredible ISO and a blazing sports mode. The video option on the D90s sounds very cool, and even though I never shoot video I bet I'd start with that camera. But there should also be some really great deals on new D80s right now. I got a really good price on my D80 from a friend that was upgrading to the D300, and so far I'm very happy with it. I'll probably wait for another big jump in technology before I upgrade again.

"Do you think that a D60 would work to get good action shots? Lastly do you think there is a point of diminishing returns on the Nikon cameras when used by an amateur, and if so which model do you think that begins with?"

I would either do the D40 or jump to the D80. I liked my D50, the precursor to the D60, but I haven't been impressed with the D60 itself. The D40, on the other hand, is a great price for a very nice piece of equipment. I think the point of diminishing return starts right away, so if you just want to learn the basics but still shoot a DSLR, the D40 is the way to go. However, if you want to spend a little more time learning how to tweak and integrate shutter speed, aperture and ISO, you'll get a lot out of a D80. You'll take fine pictures to begin with, but you have a lot of room to grow if that's what you're willing to work on it. The D90 is primarily more expensive because of the video capabilities. I haven't played with one yet, but it sounds like the usability will be similar to the D80. Going above that is probably a waste of money until you have several years of photography under your belt.

I do recommend getting a kit with two lenses to begin with. You get a discounted rate on lenses when you buy them in a package, and trust me, you'll want a couple options when it comes to animal action shots. If you buy online, look at www.bhphotovideo.com or www.andora.com. They have guaranteed high quality products, good customer service and very competitive pricing.

TrueBlue,

     Thanks for the response, and sorry about hijacking your thread ;)  I have visited the link that Steve posted, and actually found a photo that became my new desktop.  When it comes to purchasing the new camera, I don't want Mandi to be handicapped by a camera with too many limitations. but she needs to talk with someone like yourself, that uses them in similar situations as she will, so that she will know exactly what to be looking for. If you get the time and don't mind talking to her and giving her some advice here is her phone # 713-550-2625, or if y'all will be in town Thanksgiving weekend, maybe we can get together for a hunt.

Thanks, Chris