Winter Churchill DogPhoto.com

17/12/2024

Photographer’s Pet Peeve Day

In Horses as well as Dogs, a movement shot is best represented by the legs nearest the lens to be in full-extension for the breed. The opposite (what I call a Reverse Stride Shot) is incorrect and should be avoided unless you’re purposely trying to show off an incorrect gait. I promise you, using a reverse stride shot almost always draws the eye to imperfections in movement. Today’s cameras are “rapid fire” and the art of timing a movement shot is quickly vanishing. Today’s dog photographers are some of the best in the world and I hope they will try and do better. As for me. I will not buy a reverse stride shot unless it is all that is available and it better be darn good. If you agree, SHARE. It’s a little thing but we can do better.

07/11/2024

11/10/2024

10/10/2024

In case you didn’t notice, I am outspoken. I’m about to be disappeared on Fb. Find me on X

14/05/2024

Val Goes Super-Nova!!

I think it’s such a mark of maturity when we are so genuinely happy for our successful friends and I guess I finally have grown up.

I am absolutely bursting with pride for my friend Val. Her beloved Phoenix just won the GSP regional yesterday (with the talented Anotonio handling) and today, she herself begins a new California Journey, as the most
Dynamic of Tv hosts for Westminster Kennel Club. The girl should be called Rising Star (because she is).

Here she is a few years back with the grandsire of Phoenix, Cj (California Journey) when they won the Garden under that glorious spot light. Captured here by Yours’ Truly.

Pinch me. It’s her dream and yet, my heart is in my throat. God I’m happy!! ❤️❤️❤️ Dale ChurchillKerrin Winter-ChurchillMari-Beth ONeillCarley Simpson

11/05/2024

With apologies to Diane Arbus who was much more successful at concealing her joy for life. ~kwc

11/05/2024

As Westminster approaches I think of all the memories created by going each year since the 90’s. To be shooting on assignment for the many dog magazines, for the dog owners and then as a WKC staff photographer, these shoots were my greatest joy and honor.

At 64 I don’t shoot this way anymore but I feel it in my bones each time the season approaches. And I love looking at the work of the new shooters, seeing their own twists on what’s been done a thousand times before.
I sincerely hope they get as much out of these assignments as Dale and I always did.

Our pictures represent a million stories compressed into 30 some odd years of memories. This particular image is one of my favorites. It’s a very simple shot. I was using my workhorse 70-200 2.8 and trying my hardest to keep the depth of field shallow, focusing on the eye.

The late, great Galen Rowel once said that the secret to a fantastic image is “f-8 and be there.” He was so right. What is really fantastic about this shot is so obviously the collie!!! This was Simply Irresistible SO gorgeous my heart almost broke. I’ve never forgotten. And I never will. KWC

09/05/2024

Happy Wednesday. There are no ads on this link. Just the most pure sound that speaks my soul language. Enjoy.

09/05/2024

09/05/2024

An oldie but a goody, 😉

Poodles! It's an obsession. For the breeders, for the handlers, for the spectators and for the photographers. Foot timing, eye expression, grooming and trimming. Oh, the trimming! When they are completely set, no one wants to get in the way of a perfect pack and so often-times, a handler holds the only thing they can to keep everything pristine for the judge. That's when a photographer can cry in agony as that gorgeous face is covered with a hand!!! Silently I beg the handler gods to release the hand just for a fraction of a second so I can get my shot because for all the coat-work, it's the eye that I want to see. Ringside, a photographer dressed in a backwards cap and riding boots cannot shout "hey, buddy, remove the hand" and so I actually, pray. On the day, at least once, the handler gods smiled down upon me. Look how the hand cradled the muzzle as though it were a precious jewel, giving my lens the most beautiful sight. As I pressed the shutter, an old expression fills my head. "The eyes are the window to the soul." KWC

p.s. all the images that I have gathered from the event can be seen at the following website:
https://dogphoto.photoshelter.com/gallery-collection/WKC-2021/C0000yZ8ui6T043c

09/05/2024

Facebook Huh. What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing.
Say it again. (Apologies to The Temptations)

Actually, FB is good for connecting to serious dog people. It’s fun to have a little outlet when I have a fragment of an idea ..

I think I’ll start posting here again. In reality, the journey is just beginning. KWC

and yes, that _is Blake. Bred by Elizabeth Slabe He was a heartbreaker. But then, surely you notice too. 😄

07/04/2024

Dale Churchill