Photographers often use the term “grab shot” when they capture an image quickly or on the spur of the moment.  This photo, however, really IS a grab shot … or an “about to grab” shot as the dog is a millisecond away from snatching the bumper hanging in front of him in the Keystone Dock Dogs Extreme Vertical competition.  I had so much fun photographing this event and it was extremely challenging.  What lens do I use?  What depth of field?  How do I focus on these fast moving dogs that were in and out of my viewfinder in a second?  I have a zillion failed shots and a few winners that I just love, like this one!

If “Big Air” is the long jump in the Dock Dogs Competition, then “Extreme Vertical” is the high jump!  A bumper toy is suspended 8′ from the end of the dock over the water at varying heights beginning at 4’6″.  The dogs start at the 20′ mark on the dock and then run and jump to either grab or knock down the bumper toy.  They have 60 seconds per attempt and they jump until they have 2 misses.  These dogs are fantastic athletes!  What a great view these folks had from their boats on the lake!