Hank is a pretty stubborn model...but he is so cute!

I'm taking a class on BetterPhoto.com on how to take better dog photographs. I have a lesson every week and assignments to complete afterwards about various things. Some more basic things like lighting, lenses and posing. Then some of the topics are a little more dog specific and cover things like dog psychology, shooting specific colors and coat types, even how different noses are shot with different length lenses with different effects.

During this class I have discovered that Hank is very stubborn when it comes to having his picture taken. As soon as I get out my camera he immediately refuses to look at me and gives me the turkey eye from the side. It looks like he consciously doesn't want to participate in my photoshoot. Like I am embarrassing him as I call his name, shake my keys and make crazy person noises trying to get his attention. Whatever Hank.

Today I went out to practice 2 things with him as my guinea piggy. Taking the photos at eye level and using a longer lense for a less distorted look. This is what I got:

Both of these were taken with a prime wide angle lense on a bright sunny day. The wide lense accentuates his big hippo nose and the bright sun adds a lot of highlights to his glossy coat.

Both of these were taken at around 180-200 zoom and on a cloudy day with soft hazy light. Much softer and more of a classic portrait look.

I'm not sure which I like best, they both have a different appeal and I could see using both for different purposes.