‘ The Lady of The Mystery Forest’ by Monica van der Maden

Monica’s image won first place in the Kennel Club Dog Photographer of the Year competition (see page 25), selected from more than 10,000 entries from all over the world.

I was absolutely captivated by the serenity and sense of place her photograph conveys, so this image is worth repeating in this issue.

It illustrates not only an innate understanding of this noble Great Dane, but also the patience and technical competence required. The detail and sharpness of the dog’s features and coat are beautifully set against the delicate bokeh of the trees and forest fauna.

Location photography for me has increasingly involved days out in the field with working dogs. I’ve had to up my game to capture images I’m happy with, pushing cameras and lenses to their theoretical limits and rarely out of the mud and undergrowth. It is my limited experience that makes me admire Monica’s photograph even more.