The Print a Photo Gives it Life

The Power of Print

THE POWER OF PRINT — Printed photos result in a stronger and much longer lasting experience for you and those around you. Printed photos are ever-present reminders of what is most important in our lives.

Each one of my photo packages comes bundled with a print credit. I offer an assortment of printing options in any size, from modern high-definition glossy metal, to sophisticated canvas hung in a float frame, to gift prints for your friends and family. I will work with you to determine the best options and arrangements to display your cherished images in your home or office.

How to step up your dog's JUMP for epic powder photography

Powder photography is an epic way to show of an animal's raw athleticism and power. The images are sure to turn heads and make jaws drop. It's no wonder that powder sessions are in such high demand.

But...

The strength of the images is directly proportional to the level of competence and confidence of the furry subject. The better prepared your pet is to cope with the strange sights, sounds and sensations of a powder session, the more successful everyone will be.

Want to polish things up a bit before our upcoming session? Here is a breakdown of the required behaviours, as well as some resources to help step up your training.

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What about photos featuring things other than jumps?

We can capture fetch, flyball, running, bitework and more in powder photography. However, photo subjects should be fluent in the behaviours we are trying to capture. Young and/or “green” dogs frequently forget their jobs in the face of distractions.

Breakdown of the basic JBP jump sequence

Behind-the-scenes video of a jump at the inaugural Jess Bell Photography powder session.

  1. Helper holds dog ~15 feet away from a jump.

  2. Handler and/or helper applies powder to dog.

  3. Handler moves to the opposite side of the jump.

  4. Handler calls dog from ~15 feet from opposite side of jump. Helper releases dog.

  5. Dog takes jump on the way to handler for reward.

  6. Party! Reward heavily.

  7. Reset again at step 1.

 

Breaking it Down

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The basic components of the session are relatively simple, but are deceptively complicated once we factor in the necessity of performing in a new area with new smells, lights and back drops and the weird, cold sensation of powder applied to their fur.

Here are some things you can work on with your dog to get them used to some of these strange things:

  • Work on being held by a stranger.

  • Train your dog in new areas. Let them sniff and explore beforehand so they can focus more easily.

  • Crinkle plastic bags behind their heads.

  • Start with low jumps.

  • Start close to the jump.

Some dogs are not candidates for powder sessions, unfortunately. Dogs that are not physically sound cannot participate out of health concerns. Dogs that are nervous in new areas or who are easy to stress may not be suitable either. If you’re not sure whether your pet is a suitable candidate for powder photography, don’t hesitate to contact me. I will likely ask to see a video of a basic jump sequence, ask for some background information, and then provide my professional opinion.

Educational resources

“Many people think that dogs can jump naturally and there is no need to train them in the basics of jumping. ... dogs need to learn how to jump correctly. Jumping correctly involves teaching a dog weight transfer, how to use their hind legs correctly to take off for the jump, how to choose the correct path to the jump and most importantly to become confident, have an understanding of the jump task being asked and to jump with a relaxed body.”
— https://www.2coolbcs.com/obedience-jump-training.html

Artwork spotlight - HD metal prints at Jess Bell Photography

What is a metal print? Here’s what you should know!

This is the first entry in my series taking a deeper delve into the type of artwork I offer. I’m starting the series with my very favourite medium: high definition metal wall art!

These prints have some SERIOUS wow-factor with their almost magical luminescence effect. The are ultramodern in their design and eye-catching in their appearance. They are my go-to medium to display all of my powder imagery due to their rich, deep blacks, excellent detail and incredibly vivid colour.

Because of its durable material and professional finish, metal art has immense longevity. It looks as new in 20 years as it did on day one!

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How they’re made:

My high-definition metal prints are made here in Ontario on a high quality, cast-coated aluminum display. The images offer a clear, luscious and vibrant effect. Through a unique dye-sublimation process, the colours are infused into a specifically coated metal piece. Prints are created with Epson dye-sublimation inks and then sublimated right onto a ChromaLuxe aluminum panel. These displays provide a durable life span for the image.

Prints can be ordered in two different finishes: high gloss or powder. High gloss metal prints offer the shine of glass or acrylic at a fraction of the weight. Powder finish offers a slightly more muted appearance that is well-suited to manage glare while still offering vivid and long lasting colour.

How they’re displayed:

Metal prints are printed on a 1/16" aluminum sheet with slightly rounded corners. They are then mounted on a floating frame and fitted with an internal wire hanger. These images appear to sit suspended in air approximately 1" from your walls. The floating frame sits flush with your wall, obscuring the hardware behind, leaving you with a crisp, ultramodern look and feel.

If you’re looking for additional framing options for your pieces, we can arrange a custom frame exactly to your liking.

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HD metal

The Good

  • Incredibly eye catching

  • Vivid colour

  • Deep blacks

  • Good detail

  • Surprisingly lightweight and easy to hang

  • Available at a range of sizes from 8x10” to 40x60”

  • Very modern in appearance

  • Immense longevity due to durable material and professional finish

  • The print will not be damaged by water and can be hung in bathrooms.

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The Slightly Less Than Good

  • The high-gloss version is incredibly reflective. I recommend hanging them in places without much glare.

  • If you’re looking for something other than the standard float frame, it can get pricey as I work with a boutique framer to create a completely custom (and gorgeous!) piece.

  • The aluminum is strong, but the highly reflective surface can show dents and scratches more easily than other media. I recommend using microfiber cloths while dusting to avoid damage.

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Photo session highlight: Random and Hazzard

Dalmatians are a stoic and elegant breed…

Dalmatians are a stoic and elegant breed…

This double Dalmatian photo session with Hazzard & Random was absolutely amazing from start to finish.

It started with an early morning wake up and a trip to nearby dog-friendly facility for a sunrise shoot in the brush. Then we had a walk around the property, stopping at half a dozen spots along the way to photograph against different backdrops.

Then we moved on to action! Restrained recalls in the fields led to some amazing silly faces and energy.

Next, it was family portraits of the whole crew laughing and cuddling together.

Then we moved indoors to a nearby arena to my mobile studio, where we set up truly stunning portraits in rich and dynamic lighting.

And finally we ended the day with some messy fun. We broke out the powder in each of the dog’s characteristic colours with the intention of creating a large piece of wall art to display proudly at home.

This is just a small example of some of the amazing images we captured this day. Seriously, I love every single shot from this day. I love it when clients opt to participate in these lengthy combination sessions! They’re so much fun, and the results speak for themselves.

Session highlights