Every week, I find myself yearning to traverse epic landscapes with my camera in hand, capturing the majestic beauty of nature with my furry muses. But, reality often reigns in my aspirations, nudging me back to the familiar streets of my neighborhood. However, as any creative soul knows, limitations breed innovation, and so the challenge of the week was born: to transform ordinary surroundings into an extraordinary portrait.
Queso, my ever-faithful cheese puff, and I take daily walks, where I often scout for potential photography spots amidst the regularity. Multiple times, my gaze lingered upon a seemingly mundane drainage ditch, and a spark of inspiration ignited within me. Could this unassuming structure be the frame for a captivating dog portrait? With Queso serving as my impromptu model, I experimented with angles and compositions using my cell phone. Satisfied the concept had merit, I enlisted the company of sheepadoodle Trestle, Queso's bestie, and his sister Addie, for a more formal session with my DSLR. The initial plan was simple: capture them sitting at the mouth of the pipe. Little did I know, the magic was yet to unfold.
The surrounding concrete was dry, #colorado 😂, so I came prepared with some water to pour on the ground in front of the opening to add a little visual oomph to the photo. After Trestle waited “long enough” at the entrance of the pipe, he slowly approached me, lured by promises of delectable treats, something extraordinary happened. With each step, his paws kicked up little droplets of water, causing each one to catch the sunlight so they sparkled like diamonds. In that moment, Trestle portrayed a cinematic hero, nonchalantly strolling away from the destruction left in his wake. The resulting photograph captured a raw, gritty beauty that surpassed my wildest expectations.
“Emerge”:
The behind the scenes (BTS) look of how I created it:
Yet, the surprises didn't end there. The sky painted a canvas of breathtaking drama, with clouds swirling in captivating formations. Despite lacking my usual wide-angle lens for close-up shots, I couldn't resist capturing the spectacle, improvising with my 24mm lens.
Additional (unedited) images from the session:
As I reflect on this adventure, I'm reminded that true artistry lies not in the grandeur of the setting, but in the ability to see beyond the surface and uncover the hidden beauty that surrounds us, waiting to be discovered. And with each click of the shutter, I'm grateful for the opportunity to share these fleeting moments of magic with the world.
Ginger Wick Photography is an award winning dog photographer specializing in creating beautiful custom artwork of dogs & their people. Based in Parker, CO serving the Denver area.
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