Taken through my front window across the drive, this was the first fall we now have about 3 times as much and the novelty has worn off even the hounds have moved back in front of te fire.

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Sorry Father Ted - just heard on the news that Derbyshire are due their share today.

Colour here too, the fact that it is to be a gift to his Mother colour defiantly as that is the way she will think of him. There are times when greyscale portraits work well but in this case the colour is best.

Sounds like informal shots so just click away you are bound to get loads the client will like - most dogs do a 'special' thing that their owners find amusing so if it does have a party trick or amusing habit then start with that till you, canine and owner are relaxed - defiantly no choc or grapes but the owner should know what is it's favourite titbit and be happy to supply.

I have no studio experience of taking dogs at all as I find that you are required to take dog shots either at shows or at the owners home, if the latter then outside would be my choice although cute shots can be taken on the households furniture if that is allowed.

Not used or seen Elements 7 but I would not have thought Elements and Lightroom would be the ideal combo as they do a similar job. The Elements I have used/seen are a combination between LR & PS using the more popular and most used items from both.

Perhaps 7 is different, the last one I have an intimate knowledge of is 4.

Sorry have to go back to what the client wants, if it is formal show type shots the white does not give good enough profile detail, there are places where dog disappears into the background. If it is nice shots of their pet they are after then white is fine and produces a good artistic image.

For example the fact that you can't easily see the dogs stop in the first or the shape of the skull in the second is not any good for a formal show shot.

Think the important thing is to get level with the dogs eyes without getting knocked for six. Unfortunately dogs hair is not like human and a black dog against say black trousers makes it impossible to see the dogs outline even in good light - choose something that gives you a clear outline and then you can always change it and experiment if you wish after you have finished the shoot and have the shot in CS.

I find shots taken outside are much easer but if they wish for formal shots in say a show stance then indoors may prove better unless the dog is well trained. Squeaky toys and such like will get their attention the trick is to get attention but not the physical dog, Dalmatians at 6 inches are somewhat of a worry if you have your favourite lens on the camera - oh, take plenty of lens wipes you may well need them.

For me it is not either or but both, I use LR for cataloguing and sorting and the sort of tweaking one needs when deciding if you wish to keep the shot and CS for more intrusive alterations or amendments and simply just to play and produce abstract or add personal ideas to a shot.

Must say the tool in LR I use the most is straighten & cropping as I prefer it to the system in CS and in CS I prefer the curves layer to using LR to do the same thing. It is like most things photographic a matter of choice and perception.

Suppose it depends on if the Dallies are black or brown in either case you will need to be able to bring out the outline but I think that black may be too stark perhaps grey would be better. Are these shots to be formal or are you to try to catch the character of the dog.

Just catching up and prefer the second shot, having the background explained does leave one wondering what on earth is going through this little ones head, is she oblivious to you or is she just waiting for you to inflict yet more pain or indignity? One does not know but I feel if the shot makes one think, which it does, then you have done your job well. The reason I suggest she may feel threatened is she seems, in the second shot, to be pushing the hoop between herself and you, is it to protect herself or an invitation to play, sad thing is I do not know but were she a dog I would have a good idea this gesture was one of fear, which brings me to the horrid conclusion that I know more of the dog than my fellow man.