Musings About the Calendar

[F, Calla & Luca]

This post is not about me or any known DK member. Just musings as the midnight hour of the calendar deadline approaches at least here in the East. What if you are a world class photographer? But you have a unattractive less attractive doodle.We could ask the question, are there any such things? Aren't all doodles attractive? Especially to the people who love them. Should your doodle be in the calendar? Great picture, sharp, clear, gorgeous setting. Ordinary doodle. But then in the hands of a great photographer the soulfulness of a doodle's eyes comes through doesn't it? What if you have a spectacular doodle. But you are not at all a photographer?

Needless to say all the calendar submission preoccupation has gotten to me. Should I have carried a brush and camera around a lot? Should I have bothered the doodles so much? Aren't they dogs and entitled to be messy? I have seen some fabulous pictures of wet doodles though. But then the dogs did get dried liver treats for today's last minute shoots. Maybe they thought it was worth it all. At least I don't force them into costumes : ) But at times it reminds me of the Westminster Kennel Club and the backstage primping that seems insane to me.

Can anybody capture with a camera the love you feel when you look at your dog? Any thoughts?

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I learned a lot this weekend and I just may start a discussion in the PG about my experiance. I went away with family and for the first time took many photographs of Humans- so often I just photograph Spud's play and happiness but never capture his true color, coat, perfect lighting, focus.
The human photographs were stunning! I found that the humans in the same lighting or even next to Spud were very good but him, not so much :)
So I understand what you are saying. I will post that discussion soon

[F, Calla & Luca]

Humans, flowers, just about anything seems easier than dogs : ) Do let us see.

[Debbie and Toby]

Good luck to all!  For me, it has been a challenge, as I am definitely not a good photographer, I just have to carry around the camera and hope for the best.... thank goodness for digital cameras!  You have all taken gorgeous photos of your doodles!

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

This is my second year participating in the DK calendar and I love it. I don't feel stressed, I don't prep the doodle. Truthfully, I forget about the calendar and when it is announced, I go back and look at the many pictures I took of Monty during the year to see if any of them would work. I love my dog and I love taking pictures of him. But when I do take pictures of him, I don't have the calendar on my mind. I do it, because I like it and he does not mind. Just like Camilla said, it helps me become more familiar with my camera and hopefully improve my skills. Pictures can never capture the love we have for our doodles and the spirit each of our doodles have. They give us a glimpse of their personalities and their beauty. But the true love is in our hearts. To me, this phone picture captures the level of my love for Monty. Yes, I have a white fluffy doodle, and yes, I allow him to get totally filthy. The reason? To see how much happiness and joy it brings him running through the muddy pond is totally worth that one bath.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Sweet thought, Jarka.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

ABSOLUTELY. The happiness on their faces says it all! I love letting Daisy be a dog, I also love when she is freshly bathed and sweet smelling.

[Debbie and Toby]

That looks like one happy doodle that had a lot of fun!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

LOL....getting dirty is great Doodle fun!

[Camilla and Darwin]

:-) Love this

[Ginny Nightingale]

Love this photo and your attitude!!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

ADORE this picture, Jarka.  It is Monty at his most doodlishus.

[Ginny Nightingale]

My red doodle Mattie was in the calendar in 2011 and I didn't have to work too hard on that one--she poses like a runway model. But for 2012, I really fussed over calendar pics because I took two of my doodles to Maine and had gorgeous backgrounds--but alas, they had to have their halters on and photoshopping them out was not easy--although I tried, it was just not good enough!! This is the finished product which does not look too bad, but when enlarged, you can see the halter lines...

So this year, I didn't sweat it--I put it off and at the last minute, I decided to take Rio's collar off and just try to get a few shots in the backyard--he is the black and white doodle in the photo above and I would like to see him in the calendar because there are NO other doodles like him in 2011 and 2012 Labradoodle calendars! We need to get those parti-doods in there!! (technically, the late and great Starlit was in 2012 calendar, but had just one big white spot, I believe--) 

I actually got 4 or 5 decent shots in just ten minutes--the important thing with Rio is to be in the shade since the black and white expose so differently--we shall see if ANY pass muster with the calendar committee--if so, we will FINALLY have a parti-dood represented!!

But, I am not going to lose sleep over it!