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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4)

***** 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.

[Ann Kendig]

Thanks for the feedback.  Below is the original. Except for the crop.  Mike

 

[F, Calla & Luca]

You know me, I like this much better.

[Mike, Cedar and Reno]

I like this, but I like fall.

 

[Jean, Rylee and Cooper]

I agree with Ann.  Too much color.? I think that is what I see.  And I agree with F, your dog shots usually are much better.

[Katie, John & Parker pup]

Lol I think the back drop if pretty...I like fall foliage and would love to get one of Parker once the season comes! I guess my "taste" in good photos isn't as sophisticated as everyone else's though because I don't really have criticisms for all the beautiful photos I see! Lol and that is why Parker is getting his own calendar! Haha not photographically perfectionist enough for the dk one I don't think! Haha

[Amy, Kokomo & Killian]

Hi everyone,

 

This is my first post in this group, as I am an amateur all around...I don't have an SLR camera and 2 months ago, I didn't even have a doodle.  So, I have been spending a lot of time taking pictures of our newest addition and wanted to see what you all thought:

By the way, my 10 yr old took photo #3!

 

[Camilla and Darwin]

Wow, great photos! I like the third and fourth best. The background in the 4th is a little distracting, and I think it would be helpful if the eyes were edited to be a bit more noticeable in both the 3rd and 4th photos. 

 

I like 1 and 2 but I think there is some overexposed areas that are too bright... 

 

What a cute puppy you have! 

[Ozzy Bob and Leanna]

Considering you don't have a good camera (like me) and a new doodle owner, I think your pictures are fantastic and you have a darling doodle!  I like all the pictures, even the 4th!

[Ann Kendig]

Leanna, you and your not good camera take some good photos.  I looked at the photos you have on your page and I think you have a good eye for composition.  I have read on a pro photographers website that he believed women took better photos overall due to being better at composition and men are more focused on technical items sharpness, focus, exposure.  I know I focus more on technical items and Ann has more attention on composition.  I have been trying to improve my skills in both areas technical and composition but ultimately I believe composition is senior to the technical items.  Mike

[Ozzy Bob and Leanna]

Gosh Mike, thanks so much! That means alot coming from you!   I've had years and years of experience taking pictures of children and now a dog, but I've never owned a good camera.  I'm hoping so badly that Santa will bring me a Nikon D90 this Christmas!?!!?   Maybe I'll make the calendar next year!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

The first one is nice in that you can see the face so well, but the wood is distracting.  I like the next two but the lighting is not quite right.

[F, Calla & Luca]

These are good photos. I like the 4th best. I darkened the 1st a tad and I think it looks better. The second would be great but for the lighting. Maybe some of our better editor's could help you with that.