Ok, winter has been very long, I'm sick of hibernating, and I'm waiting for something to happen so that I can take pictures.

This coming week-end, first Agility-trial of the season for Axelle and me.
The weather should be good, and I'm taking my Canon.

Silane is "retired early" from Agility, but has been learning a few cute tricks, I'll have to figure out how I can take pictures of her doing them.

I'm extremely busy these days and not making any photos.
But as spring rolls around, I'll be going to Agility trials and Betta shows, so there should soon be pictures of Agility-dogs and show-Bettas quite soon.

I now have the flash and polarizing filter I planned on buying, so I'll see how things go with that.
And I'm going to continue testing the "macro" setting of my 70-300 telezoom lens. Maybe try to do some insects with it.

;D

I've uploaded to my gallery the best shots I've done since 2003 until now (102).
Photos between 2003 and 2006 were done with a Nikon Coolpix 4800 compact camera, and since spring 2006 I've been using my Canon 350D.

My goal now is to improve, in composition as well as in technical aspects of photography.
I know some of the basics, and I know I need to practice more.

As of now, I have 4 lenses:
- the Canon 18-55 mm. sold with the kit and that I never use;
- a Canon 60 mm. 1:2.8 USM macro that I love;
- a Sigma 28 mm. 1:1.8 that I love also;
- a Sigma 70-300 mm. 1:4-5.6 that I'm not very happy with, but I can't afford a 70-200 1:2.8, I can only dream of it for the time being.

Plans for this year include:
- an external flash, I haven't decided wich one to choose yet;
- a tripod or monopod...haven't decided either;
- a polaroid filter for my macro lens;
- some type of light-diffusing accessory for the flash;
- put some money in my piggy-bank to buy a 70-200 1:2.8 someday...

So yeah, that's about it for now. ^^

What am I doing here?
Posting what I think are -hopefully- some of my best images, of course.

I'm especially interested in photographing animals, mostly dogs. Portraits of dogs, and dogs in Agility competition.
Dog Agility is a race on a course of obstacles without a collar or a leash.

As a breeder of Bettas I'll be posting pictures of my own fish as well as other people's award winning Bettas in shows.
Betta splendens (aka Siamese fighting fish) are selectively bred to compete in conformation shows just like cats and dogs.
They exist in all kinds of colors and patterns.

Besides that, I'll post some other photos on random subjects, as well as photomanipulations I have fun making.
I'm just a beginner and self-taught in the use of image manipulation software, and I'm only using free programs.
So my manips are not too good, but as I said, I'm having fun.

Thanks for visiting !

P.S.
One of my Betta photos is in DA news, along with other fish and aquatic creatures... [link]