america (oh yeah)
Okay so after a little bit of stress and a lot more turbulence all four of us made it to America safely.
I’m taking some time to get up and running and getting to a slower pace of life (which can’t be a bad thing).
I’m updating Facebook as much as possible so that’s probably the best way to keep up-to-date with the ongoing situation for the next week or so. I’ve already got 4 dogs to take photos of and 6 photoshoots in April.
And for those of you that have followed Bambina and Hope in South Korea and now America, they are doing great.
Let the madness begin.
chocolate and valentine’s day
With the 14th just around the corner I’m sure there are a few of you that are planning on eating chocolate, maybe even a few of you are planning on getting your furbabies a little something too. For the sake of your dog please ensure that the chocolate is far away from them, they’ll love you for it.
capturing movement
Capturing dog on the fly depends on some on luck, some of getting in the right position and some of getting the camera set up right, together they come together for some great shots.
this past weekend I took both dogs for a walk so my wife could get some extra sleep, all I took was my point and shoot. I let the dogs off for a run around and caught Bambina running towards me. It was a great moment but I wanted more.
Yesterday I took Bambina to the park and let her off again, this time with my DSLR, a quick lens (f2.8) and captured the moment again but with better results.
I can’t wait to get back to America and have open spaces to take pictures in.
For anyone trying to take pictures of animals the best advice is to practice and practice and don’t give up.
it’s all in the way you look at things
With the cold weather setting in and the New Year underway it’s time to evaluate what I want to do and what I hope to accomplish.
I’ve always said that I don’t want to be like anyone else, rather try and push the boundaries and try different options. So I’ve been trying some of these ideas (and I still have a few more to explore).
Today I decided to remove the window out of its frame and see if I could use it in a different use than it was originally intended (why not).
The glass in this window is extremely thick and the whole frame and glass weigh about the same as a 7-8 year old who’s been dieting on cheeseburgers. As such I had no fear it was going to break as I would never do ANYTHING to put my dog in danger.
After several attempts at getting the shot right I changed tack a bit. I had first decided that I would shoot up (from under the glass) but this was a whole new challenge in it self (reflection, lighting and space, oh and big fluffy dog). In the end the one I was most happy with is the one below.
Sure there are things I would still like to change about it, but as my first attempt at this sort of shot, it serves the purpose and opens up many more possibilities.
Tomorrow on Facebook I’ll also post some of the other photos I took, including one of my wife’s dog Hope, who was less than pleased.
As a photographer you have to challenge yourself, you have to see if the impossible is really possible and sometimes you just have to have a little fun.
I wouldn’t try this with just any dog mind you. I have been using Bambina (my dog) for these sorts of photos because I know she is well trained and will listen to me.
44 days till america
I have 44 days left till I touch down in America and no one could be more worn out by living in South Korea than my dog!
She doesn’t even know what it’s like to run around on grass yet. In our town there’s a patch probably the size of your bedroom, so I wont count that!
imagination and the moment (friday)
Sorry for the late post, we are trying to get our dogs confirmed onto a Korean Air plane that leaves in about 50 days! You’d think we were trying to get someone to hand over their new born baby!
So while Mandy is on the phone, AGAIN, here’s a couple of shots of Bambina in my great hat from Peru.
imagination and the moment (monday)
Okay here’s the first experimentation for the week. Don’t ask me what the heck I was thinking I have no idea!
Personally I think I’ve transformed my cute little Bambina into a librarian and added 10 years to her life (just in looks). Maybe one reason why I don’t wear them myself! Now if only I had a cape and given her hair a little curl in the front, I might have been onto something!
happy 1st bithday (bambina and hope)
Oh how time flies when you’re having fun and oh how far these two have come from the dogs they were at Asan Shelter.
Happy Birthday Hope and Bambina. The next one will be in America!
thanksgiving 2011
Hope everyone has a fantastic Thanksgiving. I’m so thankful for so much.
Hug your pet tight and be thankful for them too.
where’s bambina (answer)
I got a nice email for a reader tonight “Hey where’s the answer to ‘where’s bambina’. It’s driving me around the bend and I can’t find here. Please can you post it? 
Thanks
Oh no, it totally slipped my mind, there’s so much happening right now. In fact I’m far behind in blogging. I have so much to share and show you loyal readers.
Okay so a while ago I posted this blog/picture of Bambina hidden in a photo, Waldo style. And now here is the answer.
Sorry for the delay.
Now to get back to editing photos and blogging…. or sleep maybe, it is 1:23am.
sometimes I forget
The first time I went to an Animal Shelter in South Korea was in November 2010, almost a year has passed since then and a lot has happened!
The first time I went it was cold, wet and miserable, that hasn’t changed. But when I went last November there was a Cocker Spaniel that caught my eye, stuck behind rusting bars and starved for attention…..THAT HAS CHANGED!
This is my dog, Bambina as I first saw her. In fact it was one of the first photos of dogs in need of being rescued I ever took. I haven’t been able to change the world but for Bambina, I have been able to change one dogs world!
In fact she’s changed the world for me too!
aroha photos on facebook
I normally update Facebook at least once a day…. it’s worth heading over and taking a look. Don’t miss a thing.
Today Mandy made muffins, totally delicious and while I was trying to take photos for an article Mandy is writing, Bambina decided to join in. Bambina goes bonkers over bananas!
Remember to hit the ‘like‘ button please.
training your dog
When I got my dog she was a mess, it wasn’t just the funky smell from living at the shelter for the last 6 months I’m talking about, more that she wasn’t use to living indoors with people.
The first night I brought her home she tried to eat me when she got out of the bath and was being brushed, then she rolled in her dog food. It seems like a long time since then, realistically it has been 11 months.
In that time she has learned a lot and is now a great part of our family. I’d love even if she still rolled in her dog food to tell you the truth.
On Sunday we attended a Halloween party and after some pushing from my wife we (Bambina and I) entered a talent contest. There was a cool dog that could dance with its owner and other dogs that could sit, stay, give high fives and one that caught my attention and would stay with a treat on its nose and then catch it when given a command.
Bambina’s tricks were to sit, stay and lie down and when I place a treat on her paws she waits (and she will wait for a long time) until she gets her release word ‘kimchi’ and then eats it. She also shook hands and gave high fives and caught a new toy that was thrown to her. I was a proud dad when she won, she was even happier with the attention she got and the cool blue toy she now carries everywhere.
After seeing that other dog do the ‘nose trick’ I really wanted to teach it to Bambina it too. I thought it would take a couple of weeks at best, a little training each night and maybe a couple of bags of treats. Well today is Wednesday and I’m a proud dog daddy again!
I’m not a dog trainer and I don’t pretend to be but I think I know a thing or two about the furry beasts. I love my dog and I spend a lot of time with her. What I don’t know I research and watch videos of on the internet.
So why do I teach my dog these tricks/things? When we are out walking I know she will listen to me, she will wait for her food and give her sister a head start on eating and not just dive into her food. To be honest I taught her ‘stay’ when she had heartworms to stop her from getting over excited and running around but really it has a multiple of uses, from when we are walking, to when I just want to get her attention. Some of the things I’ve taught her are so she doesn’t get hurt or hurt anyone else. Some things I’ve taught her just to keep her from getting bored and she seems to like it.
There are plenty of things I want to teach her but there are some nights I wish I didn’t teach her to fetch (she will do it for hours).
Teaching your dog to do different tricks/things is a great way to get to know your dog, a way to get your dog to listen to you or just a way to spend some time with your furry friend in a fun way.
Your dog might not know how to catch a treat off its nose but that doesn’t make your dog any less special than mine.
I’m open to suggestion about what I should teach her next. I wonder how heigh she can jump?
where’s bambina
For Halloween Bambina was Waldo, or I guess Waldo’s dog. Since it’s keeping with the whole theme of things I put Bambina in the picture…. and no it’s not the big one in the front!
It might help if you click on the picture to see a bigger image and if you’re like me and should really put on your glasses more.
Good hunting!
I’ll put up the solution a little later in the week.
halloween and bambina
You can’t tell from the photo but Bambina REALLY likes pumpkin.
Have a great Halloween everyone.
where do socks go?
Ever wondered where the other matching sock goes after you take it out of the washing machine? Look no further! Bambina is the culprit and she’s very good at it. Don’t let the innocent look fool you!
I still wore this sock and its twin to work today!
it doesn’t rain it pours
Okay so I had a few moments in the last couple of weeks that have made me even more thankful for my dog. Bambina is a loving Cocker Spaniel that picks up on my emotions and knows how to snuggle when needed.
1. I think it all started when I was at my monthly shelter trip to Asan. A slip, a tumble and putting my body on the line to save my camera left me slightly scared and bruised. Nothing a few licks from Bambina couldn’t help to heal.
2. I get Emails each week about shelter dogs or people wanting information about the animals I work with, but one Email I got threw me for ten. The long and short of it was this:
…However my lawyer thinks it is pertinent for me to informally request you change the name.
My only concern personally was the focus on animals on your current site. I like your photography, I just don’t want people to think I spend all day with the animals, I have worked very hard to diversify and hope you can see that in my site! Once again, this is a bit awkward for me, but I hope you understand this is just an informal cease and desist, there is no reason to take legal action over something as trivial as a name, right? Please let me know when you might be able to change the name, thanks again….
i can’t do it alone (10 magazine)
I picked up the 10 Magazine recently and noticed that one of my photos had been used. I knew it was going to be but until it actually happens you’re never really sure. Hopefully it helps bring some attention to the animals in need in South Korea.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this possible, you all rock.
trying something new
It never ends, I’m forever trying to push the boundaries of what is possible and what works and doesn’t. I have to admit sometimes it crashes and burns. Sometimes I’ll try some new shots using my dog as a test subject, sometimes it means taking a few hundred shots just for that one that I can work with. Sometimes I’ll take those shots and think okay on to the next thing, or what could I do better.
Sometimes it means processing a single photo for hours or over a couple of days on and off so it’s just the way I saw it in my mind.
I took this photo when walking Bambina one night last week in a park with my Nikon point and shoot (a P300). I don’t always carry my DSLR around on these tests, the P300 is a good camera for the purpose. At first I thought, I’d trash it, what was I thinking. There’s a reason why most people don’t take dog photos at night.
I sat there and sat there and then the fun started…. it worked in the end I’d say. A lot of photoshop work was done as I’m sure you can see.
There are more tests to be done and I have some more ideas for this kind of thing (night pet photography).
trust is essential
It’s not often someone gets a photo of me, meanwhile Bambina is a love sponge when it comes to posing for the camera. These photos come thanks to my wife after I made (or tried ) to make the bed. I’ll post a video of that a bit later.
I wouldn’t recommend you try to share, in this case a rawhide bone, with your dog unless you have absolute trust in them not taking your face as well. When I first got Bambina from the shelter she would have!
As a photographer you have to be able to get close and have trust in the animals you photograph.
have dog, will travel
Having an animal overseas is one thing and it’s nice to have a memento of those occasions but just like when I see photos of peoples holidays I wonder why aren’t they in the photos. Sure you can take a photo of a nice temple, an artifact, a nice landscape (and for some people this is all good and done) but for me thinking about the background in the photo adds something extra.
Today I went on a bit of a walk with Bambina, my cocker spaniel. As always I grabbed a camera and we headed out the door, not really sure where we were going. Sure I could of taken a million photos of her walking down the street but the whole time I was looking for that special something that would mean something later on. Finally after about 30 minutes we came across a stone sign post type thing, it seemed like a good opportunity for Bambina to get some rest and me to fire off a few photos.
for the love of a rescue dog
I know a lot of you already know of my fur baby Bambina but for those of you yet to be introduced to her, here she is.
She was rescued in early December 2010, from a animal shelter in South Korea. A place in the hills outside of Seoul, called Asan.
At the time we (my wife and I) had recently lost our first rescue dog, Chester after he fought hard for the 90 days we had him. Chester was a maltese who had severe cushings but who loved life, bathing in the sink and going for walks in the countryside. He was also a pretty good pumpkin protector at Halloween time.
When I got Bambina she was suffering from heartworms, slightly neurotic, and not use to dog food at all. After a few months of vets visits, some serious training and learning what dog food was she was on the mend. Soon after she was declared heartworm free I had her spayed. It’s one thing in my opinion to rescue an animal but you are doing a great thing again if you either spay or neuter your new family member.
Bambina is a great dog, a loved member of our family, a wooly mammoth (when she needs a haircut), a moo-pup (after she’s had a haircut) and a great electric blanket in winter.
I hate to think what would have become of her if I hadn’t of adopted her.
