LOUISE TOPE ~ Dewerstone Photography:

After submitting a portfolio to Our Dogs, Louise started working for the paper in November 2007. Since then, Louise has been covering shows in her local area (the South West), plus several breed club championship shows all over the country. The Hound Association 2009 was her first general championship show appointment for Our Dogs.

Louise has been showing dogs since 1984, and although she has owned very few dogs, she has handled many different breeds across the various groups. Over the years, she has built up a good relationship with fellow exhibitors and club secretaries and committees. ‘I believe this has provided an excellent foundation on which to base my photographic business and show coverage,’ says Louise. ‘Currently, I own whippets that have enjoyed some success in the ring. In September 2009, I retired from a 21 years career as a professional canine beautician, turning to photography full-time.

The need to achieve balance and harmony in a perfectly groomed dog, along with my many years of experience in the show ring, has given me a natural ‘eye’ for a good photograph.’

‘I have always had an interest in photography and art, and studied both at GCSE and A-Level. For a time, we had a darkroom at home where my sister and I produced black and white prints. I started out taking a few pictures for friends to feature in breed year-books and advertisements, and it’s been a natural progression from there.

‘Digital photography has been a great help to the canine world. It is possible to take many more shots without waste, capturing all the very subtle differences in a dog’s expression, ear carriage and the like, that can turn a good picture into a great picture. I use the latest digital SLR technology from Nikon and edit using Photoshop. My artistic flair allows me to create multi-layered, eye-catching advertisements and photo montages which are becoming increasingly popular for magazines and yearbooks. Personally, I still love to see dogs captured in black and white and often work in this medium.’

Apart from Our Dogs, her work is regularly featured in the international Sighthound Magazine. Her pictures have also appeared in various breed club magazines and yearbooks (including WhippetBladet, the Swedish Whippet Club’s publication), the Crufts catalogue, Dog News Australia and the Mercedes-Benz magazine. One of her images was judged Runner-Up in
the KC Dog Photographer of the Year 2008. She has also been lucky enough to be an official photographer at many equine events, including the prestigious Powderham Castle Horse Trials.
‘My photography ‘heroes’ are Diane Pearce (canine) and Tim Wallace (automotive). My ultimate photography experience would be in the main ring at Crufts for BIS, closely followed by Spa-Francorchamps race circuit in Belgium at the top of the notorious Eau Rouge, during a F1 race.’

Website – www.dewerstonephotography.co.uk
e-mail – dewerstone.whippets@blueyonder.co.uk