Fortnum and Mason are less than ideal candidates for my photography improvements.  They jiggle and fiddle too much to allow me to concentrate on twiddling dials and pressing buttons that I don’t know yet how to fully operate.  Still, they’re all I’ve got beyond the landscapes, vegetables and thistle shots which I know can get a bit repetitive.

You might remember the last time I tried to conduct a basset portrait session. If not, click here to find out.

A couple of days ago I was wandering up from the bottom of the garden and saw the bassets languishing on the new infinity lawn. Despite being weary I was captivated the dogs that had been hanging around sniffing the breeze and surveying the landscape.  They looked so comfy sitting up there admiring the view.

They are such nosey dogs. Here they are checking out what’s happening up the drive.

Fortnum was easily bored by that and settled back down to the serious business of resting one’s chin.

Mason did likewise pretty soon.

Perfect I thought, I’ll come in close and get a shot of them in their flat out platypus position.  Blink the eye though and this is what happens.

Mason gets distracted and ruins the shot.  Let’s just sit quietly and see if he lies down.  Phew.  That’s lucky.  Or maybe not.

This time big basset couldn’t help himself.  Pesky dog!

Wait a little longer and he’ll settle back down.

Oh, you clever bassets.  Now I just need to creep in quietly and get close up.

Great a close up.  But what sort of face is that you’re pulling Fortnum.  You don’t look relaxed.  Chill out boy!

Awh, Fortnum, that doesn’t mean you have to move.  Am I getting the feeling you don’t want your picture taken?

Mason is happy just to lie.

Now you try Fortnum.

See when you do that I can get real close on your squashed up face big basset.

Little basset is very shy when it comes to close ups.  He can go from flat out lying to attack the camera in a split second.  This is a frightening experience I can tell you when you are as close to the ground as I was at this point.

Mason is not a basset to be messed with.  He’s lean and mean and a licking machine.

It was precisely at this point that any thought of more basset portraits had to be put to one side.  It’s simply not possible to fight off a little basset who thinks that impromptu basset portrait sessions are just an excuse to get up front and personal.

My bassets are truly lovable.  Tolerant of my photography.  I just wish that they could pose on demand.  Sheesh, it isn’t much to ask is it?