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?

[Camilla and Darwin]

:-)

[Jennifer and Jack]

I don't think so...the love I have for Jack could never be captured....if he was bald, toothless and in diapers he would be the most beautiful doodle,on the planet as far as I am concerned .....

[F, Calla & Luca]

I completely understand.

[Adina P]

There are more EXCELLENT photos than can fit.  That's all I have to say so far before the midnight hour.  Total less photos than the last two years, but probably more quality photos. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

I like to think our Photography Group had some role to play in that. I wonder Adina if a slide show of all the EXCELLENT photos is possible?

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

I wold love to see a slide show of all the photos submitted. Great idea F.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Awesome idea, F! And leave it up for a few weeks! 

I fall into the most beautiful doodles worst photographer category. My DD is a good photographer and lives with us, but I am unable and/or unwilling to coerce her into photography sessions the way another nameless doodle lover does with her DD. ;o) Hence no calendar submission from this clan of doodles and their loving DM.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I believe said member using threats and probably corporal punishment.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

I consider myself pretty laid-back, but I too am also competitive.  Being a total amateur at photography and the fact that I know so little about editing, I found myself totally stressed out about the calendar submissions.  I kept trying and trying for that perfect photo, but a light-bulb came on some time around Friday, that I better just make my own boo-boo calendar that way Charlie can be on every page! (LOL)  Oh, I feel so much better now that I have just put it behind me.  I will still buy the doodle calenders containing all the beautiful doodles for Christmas gifts, but my gift to me will be my little boy's photo for each month of the year under the glass top I have on my desk!  I wish I had thought of it sooner! 

[F, Calla & Luca]

Good idea but don't be discouraged from submitting next year. One photo I threw in 2 years ago turned into the cover and now it's my favorite ever photo.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

F ~ thank you for the encouragement.  I need to push myself back from the bridge table long enough to take a photo class!!

[F, Calla & Luca]

The great thing about digital cameras is that you can take thousands of pictures and sort of self teach since with one stoke you can delete. Makes the learning curve inexpensive. I haven't taken formal courses but many members of the Photography Group have, and they love them, and some are pros.