For me the most important element in photography is not composition or lighting, but the ability to “see”.  In other words, recognizing that there is an image to be made from the scene before you.  I’ve struggled with this off and on for years, but when it comes to photographing animals, I’m pretty confident that I will find plenty of opportunities to photograph.  On the other hand, take me to Child’s Park in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania – a spot loved by photographers who want to shoot waterfalls – and I won’t find much to shoot.  I don’t know why, but I just don’t “see” well there.  I was at the dog show last weekend and was focusing my lens on Beagles.  I turned around and caught a glimpse of the scene in the blog image.  I was able to react quickly and get the shot.  Had I been in any other position – slightly to the left or right – this would have been a completely different image.  I had seconds to shoot as just as I clicked the shutter, both the dog and handler moved.  That’s what I mean about seeing and reacting….I recognized that this was a good shot and thankfully reacted quickly in order to capture it because in an instant it was gone!  This is one of my very favorite shots of the day!