So, this photo has been in my head for months. *two months to be exact but I knew this image before I left the house to take it with my dogs following behind on a brisk Sunday morning. I was going home with this photo or, I'd have been sadly disappointed at not being able to coordinate all the efforts to get this moderately challenging photo taken, in focus.

The first time I saw Jake streaking down this path, off leash and launching himself across the little 4 or 5 foot depression I knew it was a shot I'd someday set up and grab. Fast forward 18 attempts, trusting my camera in S priority mode, using continuous AF 3d focus and praying the 2 SB 910s with fresh batteries didn't die before I nailed the photograph in my mind. all while convincing a 5 and a half month old high energy fur-missile to stay put "STAY" while I went back to my spot- 25 yards away.

To my neighbors hearing me yell "Jake, COME here" getting him running at me all while chanting "doodle doodle doodle doodle" like a deranged swiss mountain climber prepping for a yodeling competition- it was game on... Sorry to have broken the silence in the woods on a early Sunday AM. It was pray, stay dog then spray, and repeat.... 18 times!!!!!!!!


After the exposure was nailed, after the panting dogs settled down, after I realized I had no more treats left in my bag, I got the shot- then I posted it and for 24 hours have been getting like after like after like. Likes are a hit of dopamine. It's a stroke to our personality that say "hey, you're cool", or liked, or did something worthy of that stupid fucking thumbs up on a social media site. People crave them- people do stupid stuff to get them. I got a lot of them and it's a false sense of accomplishment and emptiness. Yeah, here's one photo- now go do it again, better, faster, tack sharper and better lit again then you'll impress me (says my inner critic).

Likes are a poison to the amateur photographer, lulling one into a reality that your photos are really good. Every time I think I'm moving forward technically I am firmly grounded and slapped down creatively that I lack vision. Self doubt and loathing is the life of the artist. I am sure this feeling is the onset of the cold/flu coming at me or it being January with cold gray skies above but flying dogs' are not my inspiration. While I like this, I don't love it....