It's that time of year in Louisiana with parades in full swing. This was our first time to attend
CAAWS' Mystic Krewe of Mutts Parade, which benefits the Capital Area Animal Welfare Society. Animals (and most dog owners) were dressed in traditional Mardi Gras costumes, throwing beads and candy to children, and dog biscuits to dogs who were watching from the sidelines. Everyone was in a good mood, all the dogs behaved like angels, with some even appearing to have wide smiles. Next year we will definitely be participating with one or more of our pups!
I decided to take my 100mm lens because I wasn't sure how close I could get to the action. There was a newspaper photographer kind enough to give me tips on where to stand, encouraging me to get out in the middle of the road to get my shots. That's part of my problem with photography: I'm too timid around people. But I overcame that pretty quickly, shadowing the reporter for a good portion of the parade route. Whatever shot he took, I got right beside or behind him to do the same.
Because of changing light conditions throughout, I shot on Aperture Priority, setting it at f/8 and the ISO at 800, 640 or 400, depending on the situation. I'm wondering now if I should have shot with a wider aperture to get a faster shutter. Only a few people stopped and posed for me; the rest were going by in a blur. Any tips on shooting an event like this?
 |
| I want this dog AND the owner's shirt! |
 |
| This lady was kind enough to pose for several shots |
 |
| Chia Pet |
 |
| I LOVED the name of this organization :) |
 |
This is Bowie, a long-haired dachshund. He is deaf. What a sweet little dog
who happily watched all the parade shenanigans from the sidelines. |
 |
| One of my favorites of the day. Cute dog, cute outfit, cute tongue! |
More photos of this event are forthcoming until I can get back out in nature again!
een heel feest,maar het laatste tongetje is wel heel mooi.
ReplyDeleteA parade with furry friends. How awesome is that!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat parade! I like the St. Patrick's Day parade here, but it's always brutally cold which makes it miserable. I bet parades are a bit more temperate there!
ReplyDeleteAweeeee! My sister has been trying to get me to come over to Bossier City for Mardi Gras for years but can't due to school. Too bad our furlough days weren't later so we could get in the middle of the fun!!
ReplyDeleteThe little deaf pup is lucky for once to not have his hearing!! I agree with you - the last tutu pup is a cutie!!! Tongue too :-}}
A D O R A B L E.......glad you took your camera along and happy that we get to see all of these cute, cute little fur babies. I'm with you..a lot of sweethearts here, but my fav is the last one. I'm thinking she/he had a pretty good inkling that they were going to be a standout....
ReplyDeleteHere's to hoping that you are feeling better and better each day..
hugs
Awwwwwwwww, I WANT the long-haried dachshund!!! Sweet....and oh those blue eyes!
ReplyDeleteI thought of you this morning, I posted my new watercolor of a tri-colored heron on my blog.
Oh, I fell in love with the Dachsie with the blue eyes.
ReplyDeletei saw that shirt and immediately thought you needed it - even before i read your comment. :)
ReplyDeletecute parade. my dogs would be nutso.
Bowie was the lucky one...deaf is the only way a dog can enjoy a parade. Of course, maybe this one was more dog-friendly than most. Your photos are spectacular. Personally, big dogs are my preference; and I loved the Bernese Mountain Dog in the 4th photo. I have to admit, though, that your favorite was pretty cute.
ReplyDeleteWhat fun to watch a parade and take photos.
ReplyDeleteI think this light is difficult to shoot in, which is a problem since they skies over Ontario are often overcast. (Or maybe it just seems that way.) I have a knowledgeable friend who shoots at ISO 800 a lot, but I think that makes many photos rather grainy. He gets sharper photos at that speed than I do, so I need to find out what else he's doing. :)
Awww - I love your pictures ! amazing shots of those dogs! What a fun parade:-)
ReplyDeleteToo cute! That would have been a good question for your new best friend!
ReplyDeleteoohhhh how fun and colorful and some sweet puppies!!
ReplyDeletei love all the cute doggies. so sweet!! bells & all. ( :
ReplyDeleteSpiffy costumes. Looks lime people and pups both had fun!
ReplyDeleteyou did good with your brilliant street photography moments of a special parade. All clear photos and sweet dogs too
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful parade and a great cause..All the doggies are so cute! Awesome photos!
ReplyDeleteSweet dogs. I love that pretty little dachshund.
ReplyDeleteThe last little love is a hoot.
ReplyDeleteThat looks like fun! The dog costumes made me laugh!
ReplyDeleteWhat fun pictures - but oh, that poor dressed up dog in the last one.
ReplyDeleteI fell in love with each and every one of those little precious darlings! You got some great shots. I think your settings were just right. How awesome that the reporter gave you tips and let you shadow him!
ReplyDeleteTerrific photos Gail! You captured the atmosphere of the parade just perfect. It looks like it was a pleasurable and interesting event.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like great fun, and your photos look fine to me. Shadowing the other photographer was a good idea.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun day and your photos are awesome!
ReplyDeleteIf you crank up the the ISO then you will get noise or you can try maybe dropping a few stops. Can you go to 2.8 or 3.5? you'll be able to freeze the movement and get crisp images but may lose some of the background.
Cute dogs.! Love the last one!
ReplyDeleteOn a scale of 1 to 10 on the smiley factor, this is a definite 10 Gail. Adorable pups and great photos! And I love that shirt and that dog can come home with me, in fact, all those dogs can come home with me ;)
ReplyDeleteOh Gail, I missed this post! I love the sharp and crisp look to these pets and their party faces. hahahahaha
ReplyDeleteHow fun! Such cute dogs.
ReplyDeleteI know someone will give you advice on shooting a moving crowd.
Love the West Highland Terrier.
Very good shots. Thanks for taking us on the parade!
Laizzez les bon temps roueler! Happy Mardi Gras time. Your pictures look fabulous to me. I love the idea of a pet parade.
ReplyDeleteWe had the most fun I think we've ever had when we spent a winter season near Mobile Alabama which also has a great Mardi Gras tradition. We went to more parades than we ever had in our whole life. In the Northwest there was never any such celebration.
I thinks your shots came out pretty darn good. That last shot of the little one with his tongue out is adorable.
ReplyDeleteHugs~
Love love love the last photo! Just too cute!
ReplyDeleteOh Bowie is so gorgeous! Love his colors & markings! Beautiful collection....
ReplyDelete