Alaska Photos ~ Alaska Stock Photography ~ Alaska Pictures

Sled dog team of Siberian Huskies, Junior Yukon Quest, Fairbanks, Alaska

Unlike the 1000 mile Yukon Quest sled dog race that traverses Canada and Alaska, the Junior Yukon Quest is a much smaller 120 mile route for young and aspiring dog mushers. It starts and finishes in Fairbanks, Alaska.

I was on editorial assignment for a University magazine, focusing on a race veterinarian. The chilly, sub zero February morning was rather dismal and gray, the sort of flat light photographers generally dislike. Capturing some sense of a dog team was challenging in these conditions. After a session of unsatisfactory attempts, I ran down the trail until I found a slight rise in elevation, which would give me a desired span of space behind the subject.

Being eye-level with your subject can really help to create the feel of being “in the scene”. I set up my tripod low along the trail and used a 300mm telephoto lens to give both distance from the dogs and compression of elements in the frame. Siberian Huskies represent the classic look of a northern sled dog team in harness; however, they are not the most common dog found among the racers. They are however, stunning in appearance and beautiful dogs.

I had just enough time to shoot a few quick frames and was half lucky to capture the cadence and repetitious harmony of the team in line. This frame was chosen for the two page spread to open the magazine article.

Subject:

Siberian Husky sled dogs

Location:

Fairbanks, Alaska

Camera - film - gear:

• Canon 1Ds digital
• 300mm f2.8 L IS
• f5.6 @ 1/400 second
• 200 ISO
• Gitzo Tripod

On Wisonsin Magazine