Canon EOS 1Ds
+ Canon 50mm f/1.8 II
1/400s, f/2, ISO 100
Location: Pulau Ubin, Singapore
This is one of a number of stray dogs that are readily found in Pulau
Ubin, an off-shore island of Singapore. I found this dog resting
underneath an old pier, just adjacent to an open-air seafood
restaurant. It was friendly and instantly accustomed to my presence.
After a few photos it became restless and walked away, much to my
disappointment.
To reduce the impact of background clutter and simplify the backdrop, I
used a large aperture for shallow depth of field, focusing carefully on
the eyes. The sun was blazing at that time, and light reflected off the
sand onto the dog's chest and face, creating highlights in its eyes. It
is an example of how pleasing lighting can be obtained in open shade
during times where direct sunlight is too harsh for outdoor photography.