August- September Assignment Calendar Photos

[F, Calla & Luca]

Back by popular demand we are doing calendar photos this month. This should give us plenty of time to get photos, critique them,  and in general try to help each other in this tough competition : ) I am copying some of Adina's past guidelines so you will have an idea of what's acceptable, assuming they will remain the same. I will also track down some of the back and forth we had about what's she looking for as far as content when I get a chance. Please only post photos that meet the minimal guidelines. We should all try to be honest in our comments. Sometimes I think we try to be nice , always a good thing, but avoid helpful criticism , which can also be a good thing. In this instance helpful criticism is to be encouraged I think.

Update: Adina's Guidelines

Update: 2011 Calendar Submission announcement

Update:  This assignment is going to continue for the month of September

For those of you asking about cameras and editing, this was taken with my Nikon D90, and I did barely any editing. See, no snow on Calla's nose

The original:

My submission, later cropped a bit more for the 2011 labradoodle calendar cover:

 

Update: Here are some more discussions that may give you more ideas of what Adina prefers. You have to wade through them.

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***** If you crop, and you should only do this judiciously, the photos need a MINIMUM of 1800 x 2300 pixels when Adina submits them. It's better to leave a margin for error, Adina can fiddle with the size if she loves your picture and needs to crop a little.

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

I have been making my own calendars for years using Microsoft's Digital Imaging Pro 10 (really old software).  I put birthdays, anniversaries, full moon and the ususal and unusual holidays.  I print and spiral bind the calendars at home.  Until last year I did scenic photos of my yard and views from it along with some flower and butterfly shots.  Last year I started putting differnet shots of Haley on a some of the months.  The calendar hangs on the side of the refrigerator next to the kitchen door.  I get a lot of comments on it (in the country one usually enters and exits through the back or kitchen door).

[Elizabeth & Cosmo]

Katie, I hope you will submit the second photo with Camilla's edits (if that's okay with Camilla!). I know that, in the one doodle calendar I have, the shots tend to be more close, with the dog filling more of the frame--but I really love the quality of light and the composition of your photo.

I think the background could be cropped a bit, but it is nicely blurred. I like the sense of place that it gives--it looks like a city park. I like the messages that conveys--that doodles can adapt to any environment and that you don't have to travel to some beautiful, exotic location to get a great photo!

It's especially encouraging to me, because, where I live, beautiful backgrounds and dramatic scenery, even snow, are virtually nonexistent. The nicest photos I have of Cosmo were taken in Tennessee--hundreds of miles away from South Central Texas!

Congratulations on a really nice pair of photos!

[Camilla and Darwin]

Of course, it is fine with me. :-)

[Katie, John & Parker pup]

I will send you the original soon and then maybe we can together make one good calendar photo! lol

[Ozzy Bob and Leanna]

I feel the same way.  I keep thinking I've taken a good picture and then hear the comments and know I just wasted my time.  Think I'll just make an "Ozzy" calendar and enjoy every month having my own doodle on the page! ha   Together, we'll just be photography dummies, that love our doodles!

[Ann Kendig]

Leanna, there have been many really good photos posted so far and I am sure we will see some of them in the calendars.  There have been many complements stated and the criticisms are meant to be constructive with the intent of helping and of having great calendars.  If you look at last years calendars the bar is fairly high.  Mike

[F, Calla & Luca]

I agree with you Mike. And we have no photography dummies although we can all learn and get more experience. I really hope no one is discouraged because everyone has a chance to take good photos. There have been a few great photos in this discussion. I would be shocked if they didn't get in the calendar unless so many great photos are submitted there isn't room : ) Try to make taking pictures fun. When you're tired of it take a break and try another day. I haven't got one really good picture yet but I'll keep trying.

[Carol and Banjo]

I really love this one.....and I think the leash "adds" to the interest of the photo.....Doggie on the Run!

Adorable!

[Joy Williams]

Carol I agree - I like the leash in this photo as it does add to the interest of the photo.

[Jodi and Stella]

Here are a couple of potential calendar photos of Stella. Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

[F, Calla & Luca]

These are great pictures! I prefer the first because we see more of Stella's face. The resolution is good so if they were to be cropped that would seem fine. It would be a pity to crop since the scenery is so spectacular. I would submit them as is.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

I LOVE the second one - really beautiful!!!!