Except as noted, all images copyrighted by and should be attributed to E B Hawley.
I had become many eons ago a traveling literary gnome, inquisitive about places I had and had not visited,
walking the same paths of peoples from the past, through places once grand and still grand,
photographing images that now show me the places about which I still dream . . .

Monday, June 22, 2015

Agile Canine Athletes

     The Obedience Training Club of Wichita Falls annually hosts competitions.
     Oldgene hosted an illuminating workshop on how to photograph agility dogs. The dogs are already fast and nimble; then, when they jump over and through obstacles, their skills as athletes pose a challenge to the photographer. 
      In addition to the challenge of capturing the subjects in focus, the differing lights overhead changed the white balance in as little distance as one yard. It is essential to use RAW and manual metering. ISOs were bumped up from 6,400 to 12,800, making post processing a challenge for me.
      I noted that part of the charm of the event presented itself in the people and their interaction with the dogs. On a number of occasions, I felt that I should turn my camera away from the arena and document touching scenes along the sidelines. 
      And I knew it! I felt a tear or two because I still miss my doggies. Pet grief is terribly real. 
      I particularly enjoy two photographs: The antepenultimate photograph in this series shows a handler wearing a pink shirt with the text, "Tough Guys Wear Pink," which amused me as he competed alongside a Chinese Crested dog (I think I identified the breed correctly), somehow charmingly homely; and in the last photo, Carolyn shows her enthusiasm as she encourages her young Birdie as they compete. 








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Let Lovely Turn of Phrase Begin

JMHawley Gave Me a Kiss to Build a Dream On

Listen, will you? I think that . . . literature, poetry, music and love make the world go round . . . while mathematics explains things; I fill my life with them, then go walking in snowy woods.
Let us go then, you and I
like two etherized patients floating
through life, together feeling prufrockian.
DDB Jr. makes my world go 'round; during his absence, Pachelbel fills it up.
One summer I sailed across the Atlantic Ocean, then through the Gulf of Finland to reach Saint Petersburg; I pursued Joseph Brodsky in its alley ways. I dream of making that two summers.
I read “Biking to Electra;” found my way in a Jaguar car, and glanced at the flashing steel grasshoppers at sunset. I’ll follow K.O.P.’s footsteps after he followed N.Scott Momaday’s; find warmth and inspiration on a rainy mountain.
Throw chinese coins for the I Ching.
Save the whales, the spotted owl, the woman in toil.
Cast a fly for trout; my memories of fly fishing under the sunny blue Colorado sky remain; I yearn to build more . . . with more trophy Browns.
Listen for the swan’s calls on the Baltic Sea. Feel KKII's joy, his arms spread wide in Yazilikaya.
Good night, Jimmy Durante, where ever you are.