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Photography at Dog Shows

We have been experiencing some issues in Ontario regarding photography at dog shows.  I hope the problem is isolated to just Ontario, but if not, perhaps I am addressing something that will help everyone.  If your area hasn't had any of these issues, I hope by discussing our situation, you will learn how to avoid it in the future.

The problem is that there have been occasions that the show photographer has left their booth and gone ringside to tell spectators, exhibitors or photo hobbyist that they are not allowed to take candid photos ringside.  The professional photographers have insisted that they pack up their equipment.  

Personally, I enjoy both type photos.  Who among us doesn't get a winning picture of their dog with the judge and our latest rosette?  I will admit, that we don't always get a picture if money is very tight or if we don't really love the photographer's work, but as a general rule, we get a show photo.  We have a favorite photographer that we look forward to seeing at the shows.  We are disappointed when he isn't the official photographer.  

At our Ontario shows, the official show photographer normally has a booth set up with the necessary equipment and backdrop.  We have our photos taken and then the photographer will display the shots on a computer monitor for you to select your picture.  They print it out while you wait or you can get a CD.  If there is a minor correction needed, like removing your knee from your dog's fore-chest, they will make that correction while you wait for an additional fee. Seldom if ever, have I ever seen the show photographer outside taking candid shots for exhibitors to purchase.  Let's face it, the photographer can't be both places at once.

I have also received many beautiful movement shots and stacked shots of Lyle yand my dogs in the show ring.  I love these shots.  I get to see a still shot that allows me to evaluate what I may not have seen otherwise.  Let's face it.  We all love to see our dog's beautiful and correct movement shots.  Those pictures prove we are right about our dog and they are what we thought they would be.  To Lyle's dismay, I also use these photos to show him if I think something should be improved.  

When the professional photographer comes out and reprimands a lay person for taking pictures ringside, it makes me believe that the photographer may be lacking confidence in his ability to bring business to his booth.  The ringside picture taker isn't taking pictures over the official photographer's shoulder, stealing setup or composition.  Neither is the ringside picture taker selling the pictures.  The pictures are taken and emailed to the recipient for free or posted on Facebook for anyone interested to download for free.  The hobbyist that take the ringside pictures are better than the folks with their Iphones or tablets trying to quickly snap a shot of their dogs.  They have better equipment with the knowledge on how to use it.  But, they do it because they love the dogs and they believe they are combining two loves at once.  They also satisfy the need of the other exhibitors to have the candid shots.

I went to my friend Warren Cook who is a very successful professional show photographer in Washington State, USA.  I asked him what his opinion on this situation.  

Here is what he told me:  "The more photos taken: The more people want photos. As long as we all understand that the composition of the photo is something that I create, lasts a moment, is the result of my knowledge and experience, and belongs to only me, and that no one else may shoot that photo, I am happy. If you shoot from the side, you are at the wrong angle. If you shoot with a cell phone, you are using a crappy camera (relatively) and shooting from the wrong height, and all that will result is that you get a poor photo with my name in it so it ascribes your poor work to my Copyright. Also, cell phones put out radio waves that interfere with digital cameras and I don't want the best photo to have banding going through it.

Other than that, I think it is perfectly acceptable to have people shoot photos of dogs from 

ringside. When they want a good photo, they can come to me.

1. A camera is a tool. I am certain Ansel Adams could have done well with Yosemite and a Kodak box camera.

2. There should be no dispute between the Pro Photographer and the people taking ringside pictures,  because they are complementary to one and other in giving people what they want.

If there is a dispute, then the principles do not understand the concept of collegial workforce competition, which means to know how to work with your colleagues,  In General, the two are not competing for the dollar that is earmarked for a win photo."

So the final word on this subject is, Professional Photographers should appreciate the pictures being taken because they are not competing with your expertise nor will they harm your ability to make the money that you would have made if they were not at the show.  To complain to the Ringside picture takers is showing your lack of understanding of what your paying customers want and if you get the reputation of bullying the picture takers you are shooting yourself in the foot as coming off as a bully.  Also, please remember that the dog shows are a public event and unless they are charging an entry fee and it states on the ticket "no cameras allowed", you can not regulate what anyone does ringside.  There is no way to police hundreds of people that own cell-phones, cameras, tablets and sketch pads.

To the Ringside photographers, I just would like to remind you that the professional photographer makes his living taking winning photos.  Show respect.  Never try to shoot over his head or use his set up after the show has closed.  That is just plain rude.  

Here are photos we have had taken both professionally and by hobbyist and friends:

Picture taken ringside by Wendy Reyn

Picture taken by John Robson

Picture Professionally taken by Lynne Oslach Photography

Picture Professionally taken by Lynne Oslach Photography

Picture taken by Josephine Lambert

I have been reading everyone's opinions about what is wrong with our sport and why it is dying and it seems to me everyone pretty much agrees on some basic problems.  What is crippling our sport and not allowing us to bring it back to full bloom is the lack of cooperation, closed minds, petty feelings and everyone sitting on their hands waiting for someone else to fix it.

I watch the posts and I am amazed at how people take offence at the some of the statements. Do we want to fix our problems for the betterment of the whole or do we just want to be self-indulged?  Stop looking for ways to be offended.  Start looking for value in what is being said.

We want to blame the CKC for not doing enough.  What the heck do you want them to do? They are a regulatory agency.  They are working with registrations, rules enforcement, conformation, herding, field, tracking, agility, obedience, earth dog, and on and on and on.   Rather than pointing a finger at the CKC, why don't you look around your own house and decide to fix what ails you.  

We want to blame Puppy Mills and Backyard breeders for selling more puppies at higher prices and poor quality.  OK, what are you doing to publicize your breeding programs and the quality and health of your dogs.  What are you doing to educate the public?  

We want to blame the lack of new blood coming into the sport.  What are you doing at your level to make our sport inviting.  What are you doing to get people interested.  When was the last time you sponsored a junior?  Are you inviting your puppy buyers to a show?  Perhaps your puppy buyers have kids that would be interested in learning your breed and showing.

We want to blame poor judging.  What have you done to let the kennel club know what you liked or didn't like about their judging panel?  Please remember to be respectful no matter if you like or disliked a particular judge.  

We want to blame the economy.  Well since there is little we can do to make an big impact on that, then you need to find new and creative ways to spend your money to support the sport and the clubs need to find new and creative ways to draw exhibitors.

We want to blame the kennel clubs.  You need to be a member of a kennel club in your area. The clubs need to be realistic about the economics of hosting a show.  Perhaps rather than always demanding the same date of your show year after year which competes with another show in the province, you should think of alternative dates.  The clubs need to be thinking bigger and do more to publicize their events and bring out more of the general public.  The clubs need to be realistic and take pride off the table and if it makes better economic sense to join another club for a cluster, do it.  Share expenses and get more exhibitors to your show.

We want to blame everyone and everything but ourselves for allowing our sport to die a slow

and agonizing death.  Be a thinker.  Be open minded to solutions.  Stop with the "not in my backyard" mentality.  Stop making this personal.  Treat it like a business.

We need to work at the grassroots level out. Talk to each other about what is working and what isn't.  Each individual makes a difference, but it will take the whole group to save it.  Don't be the tail wagging the dog!

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 Heather Brennan is a successful free-lance writer, a GSP breeder and CKC judge.  I respect her immensely. I asked her to give us her thoughts on what is wrong with our sport and what needs to be done to save it. Here is her perspective.

The issues facing our sport and how to keep it alive have been a topic for discussion for several years now. We've seen many shows have declining entries for a few years now and it becomes really apparent even to those with their heads in the sand that we have a problem when an all-breed, summer show in southern Ontario has an entry of less than 100. Not surprisingly, this has sparked numerous debates across the country about the state of the sport and its future.

As a community, we have a terrible habit of simply pointing our blame fingers at the first convenient target, most often the Canadian Kennel Club(CKC).   As an exhibitor, breeder, judge, and all breed show chair it is an issue I spend a lot of time thinking about, I tend to find myself coming back to three basic issues that, in my opinion, contribute to the problem.

The economy.

The lack of new blood coming into the sport - when you look around at a show or at a club meeting, how many new people do you see?

Exhibitors’ perceptions about show politics and judges.

Because I am a firm believer that you don’t get to complain unless you are honestly working to change the situation, I’d like to suggest some ideas and ways to help address these problems. I firmly believe that we cannot lay all the blame at the feet of the CKC. I also believe that there are things that all of us can do to improve the situation.

The economy is really not something we can change. Most of us have had to tighten our belts. This means less money to spend on shows and it makes competition for exhibitor dollars much tighter. With exhibitors picking and choosing which shows to enter rather than being out every weekend, they are going to go with shows that offer value for their money. Different exhibitors will have different priorities but for most the judging panel, venue, and amenities offered by the show will likely play a role in the decision. What we can do, as clubs, is put on a show that meets our exhibitors needs and makes them feel it was money well spent.

I think that it is worth noting that not all clubs are experiencing a decline in entries. Some are showing an increase year over year. Obviously continuing to do what has always been done will not suddenly yield an improvement in entries. For clubs that are not willing to change with the times, the end may well be in sight. In southern Ontario, this might not be a terrible thing as we have far too many shows here already. What are the clubs that are succeeding doing?

Look at their panels, their non-regular events – like Best Bred By Exhibitor competitions and judges’ commentary during group and best in show judging, and the general feel of their shows. They don’t see the end; they see an opportunity to do better and are reaping the rewards.

For smaller shows and shows that occur on a weekend where there is another show, the cluster option is well worth considering. The biggest expenses for most shows, excluding CKC fees which are based on their total entry, are the venue and judge expenses. A cluster allows multiple clubs to each take one day – they can split the venue fees and judge expenses. I imagine CKC permission would be required but with valid reasons for doing it, they would likely be amenable. For some clubs, reducing their expenses would allow them to diversify their panels a bit more and use funds for other events. Wouldn't it be better to work together than to continue to die apart?

The lack of new blood is an area where the CKC may be able to help with a campaign that promotes purebred dogs and all the wonderful benefits that come with them. But, there is a lot that we can do as breeders and exhibitors, also.  Consider inviting your puppy owners to spend a day at a dog show with you so they can see firsthand what shows are like. Encourage and support your puppy owners – they are not point fodder. When you see someone struggling at a show – whether it’s with grooming the dog, showing, or any other aspect of the experience – stop and offer some help. Rather than snickering, let’s reach out and make a new friend.

Shows can offer assistance to new exhibitors and make sure that they know it’s available. They can offer classes for newcomers. Most importantly, they can reach out to people who are not involved in dogs, particularly children. Consider contacting local groups like the girl guides, boy scouts, Big Brothers and Sisters, etc. Have a fun session with the children, giving them a taste of what purebred dogs and dog shows are all about. Many children love animals. Get them involved from a young age.

The final problem – the ongoing perception that judges are crooked and pro handlers win everything – is perhaps the hardest one to overcome. It means overcoming a bias that is deeply ingrained in many exhibitors. Do I think judges are crooked? No. Do I think that pro handlers always win? No. We have many successful owner handlers with top ranked dogs that frequently do well in group and at the best in show level. They have some characteristics in common with one another. They all handle their dogs extremely well – so well, in fact, that others often approach them to handle their dogs. They believe in their dogs and always present a clean, well groomed animal. Many of them have been handling for a long time and they have a lot of practice. Yes, some are just naturally gifted too.

Is it easier for a judge to find a well presented dog? Absolutely. Poor presentation can make a stunning dog look ordinary or worse. As owner handlers we need to do a good handling job. Are some judges less skilled than others at finding a good dog despite the handling errors? Of course. Just like handling, some people will be better at it than others.

The area where the CKC might make a difference here is in allowing judges to make comments or even critique the dogs in their ring at the best of breed level and higher. Transparency could make a huge difference in how exhibitors perceive a judge’s decision.

I don’t know about other show chairs, but I watch how well judges draw an entry. Judges that do not draw well, do not go on my list of potential judges to hire. Exercise your entry and avoid the judges that you truly feel pay more attention to the handler than the dog. Successful shows take note of who does and who doesn't draw a good entry. A judge that overdraws is worth every penny because of the entry they bring in.

Hopefully I have given you something to think about. I really believe that we can all play a part in keeping our sport alive. We all love dogs and, conceivably we all love showing our dogs or we wouldn't be doing it, so we should all be willing to work towards its future. 

It's time to stop complaining and pointing fingers and to GO TO WORK.  Start with yourself and find ways to make your local situation better.  Then work with your club correcting one problem at a time.  Share what works and what doesn't with the rest of us.  Be sure to check your personality and ego at the door.  It isn't about you.  It's about all of us.  Then let's keep communication open on a national level to put all our ideas and solutions to work.  We can either be the PROBLEM OR THE SOLUTION.

For all the cards that the fabulous dog community has sent to Zachary.  You have lifted him up in such a wonderful way.  He looks forward to getting the mail every day.  Words will never be enough to show our gratitude for each of you.

If you haven't sent a card, yet.  Please do.  Zachary is our nephew that lives with us and has a very aggressive form of Hodgkin's Lymphoma and is battling for his life.  You can send the card to:

Zachary Noble

108 Greeningdon Drive

Hamilton, Ontario L9A 4W7

Please no get well cards.  Send funny or handwritten or even a little naughty cards.  Your cards take him away from being sick for a few minutes every day.

For the most up-to-date Dog Fancy stats and event information in Canada, go to www.canuckdogs.com. That website is maintained with your advertising dollars and is strictly a volunteer labor of love. Advertising is very reasonable and you get a lot of national exposure.  Be sure to check it out.


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