Saturday, January 22, 2011

Window Seats and Bounce Flash

(Click on the thumbnail for the bigger, better version)

The window seat in the title is obvious. The critter is Galen, the Shetland Sheepdog—obvious if you have read my blog for a while. The bounce flash? That's another story, but a very short one.

Shortest story first. When I first began getting the hang of using off-camera flash, I struggled, but I have learned some basics. I soon learned that it allowed me to get some photos that would otherwise be impossible, and I learned to take the bad with the good. When I took these photos just after Christmas last year, there wasn't nearly enough light in our bedroom to make a photograph and bouncing the flash off the wall allowed me to capture the moment. I imagined the pictures being something that would make us smile and remember the day Galen discovered the window seat. It would be a charming occasion to recall.

Hah! Turns out the window seat was not a passing fancy with young master Galen. He is quite taken with it, thank you. It makes a fine perch from which one can survey one's back yard. This is a most  important task, don't you know. There are birds out there that bear watching. Moreover, you can never tell when one of those smelly underground creatures will pop up out of one of those holes out there, or some cat will have the gall to ignore the fence. It pays to keep an eye on one's kingdom.

Alas, watching over an entire yard, in addition to one's humans (not to mention toys) is a considerable responsibility for a puppy. Having a lookout tower of sorts offers a welcome advantage to a dog of rather small stature. Windows are placed unecessarily far from the floor and give a poor dog almost no help at all.  A nice wood window seat is also cooler than the carpet, when one's belly wants a bit of relief from the heat. So, you can see that, all in all, window seats are lovely things.

Last night our watchdog decided that he needed Pony to assist him with his responsibilities. He jumped up on the window seat, holding Pony in his mouth, and settled down to the task of surveying his realm by the light of a full moon. By that time, The Husband and I were already snug in bed. I wasn't about to climb out from under the covers and try to make a picture. Perhaps the ones here will get things started and your imagination can fill in the details.

10 comments:

  1. I like how Galen thinks and expresses himself in this post. And, my what a task he has in life. Back in my condo is a bay window in the bedroom. I have a soft comfy chair where I spend my quiet time in the morning. It looks out to the southeast so morning sunshine is what I'm always eager to meet. I can relate I also agree with the off camera flash. It does add a very different light to any scene.

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  2. Monte - He does have the right idea about choosing a good place to "park" and take in the view. I could learn a lesson from him.

    The long-term plan includes more time to experiment with off camera flash until I use it to a greater advantage. It hasn't come easily to me.

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  3. I believe you have found a new career as a pho-dog-grapher. :). Looks like a wonderful place for your boy to survey his domain. Lucky fella!

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  4. Mary Ann - Who could resist a career in a field that has such a snappy name? Great word! He does love his new-found perch. Slept up there all night, last night.

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  5. The king surveys his kingdom! How ever did you get Galen to sit still?

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  6. Steve - You pose an excellent question. :) It does happen, thank goodness. He has his quiet moments.

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  7. I'm betting Galen was thinking, "How long do I have to sit here quietly until she notices how handsome I am and takes my photo?"

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  8. Earl - I think you have some insight into Galen's little mind. He does look rather self-important in that first photo, doesn't he?

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  9. Yes! I am here! You must adore me for what other choice do you have? :) I'm sure that Galen will give you ample opportunity to photograph him in the years to come. He doesn't seem camera-shy one bit!

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  10. Paul - I think I heard those exact words as I tripped the shutter!

    Regarding camera-shy dogs, our last rescue dog was terrified of cameras, poor thing. That was painful. Galen needed a little work in the beginning, but soon found a way to love the camera, as you see. There will be piles of folders named, "Galen".

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Anita