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.

[Carol and Banjo]

Yeaaaaaa  Camilla!!!!! I'm so happy for you!   You're going to have so much fun learning your new camera!   Enjoy!

I can't wait to see more!

 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Congratulations on the new camera. These are all great.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Great Camilla! Congrats on the new camera.

[Amy, Kokomo & Killian]

 I have SLR envy...  i always get cute pictures when I only have my camera phone on me.  I had to share (although very photoshopped - and probably not calendar material).

 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Awww. Too cute!

[Jean, Rylee and Cooper]

Didn't know if this photo is calender worthy.  I have always liked it but not sure.

[F, Calla & Luca]

This is a very sweet photo. I'm not positive but I think the focus is in front of the doodles, on the ball. The doodles may not be sharp enough when blown up.

[Jean, Rylee and Cooper]

Thank you F for your feedback.

[Ann Kendig]

I can see why you have always liked this photo.  I find it has a pleasing tranquil feel with Rylee and Cooper by the water.  The white balance was to the cool side I warmed it up which brings a little more color out.  I believe F is right about the focus being on the ball so I blurred it some and sharpened Rylee and Cooper and messed with levels which brightened it.  The metadata showed you used your 300mm lens which I believe you indicated does not have image stabilization this photo has some softness probably from hand shake, but this photo is strong on composition. Definitely submit. Mike

[Jean, Rylee and Cooper]

Thank you Mike for the editing.  I don't have editing software.  I know I should probably know this but where is the link to submit the calendar photos?  Thanks for all the help.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Beautiful editing job....and great photo.

[Camilla and Darwin]

A few more I took today. Am I getting warmer?