Calendar Winners 2014

[F, Calla & Luca]

Everyone is invited to post their Calendar winners here. congratulations to all. I do know how many great photos were not able to fit in. This is the one place in this group where the word calendar is allowed until next year when sometime around August the madness starts again : ) I really prefer, and I am sure you all do too , to hear general comments on photos or specific points, pro and con, rather than " This is a calendar  winner for sure." We know there is no such thing. Or "Save this for the calendar. Anyone who doesn't know a highly praised photo is a possible submission, well need I say more. But we all know we worked hard. All the photos I saw deserved to win and hundreds more did too. We worked hard and the calendars look great. Adina has an impossible task she did well!

Addendum: someone remind us of this next year:

Adina P replied to your discussion "Calendar Winners 2014" in Photography Group on DoodleKisses.com

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If I may add some notes/suggestions for next year:

1) Practice removing leashes with photoshop and have someone check your work before submitting.  Some really nice photos either didn't or almost didn't make the cut because it was very obvious that a leash/collar/harness was erased.

2) Avoid really close crops especially if the crop is a bit tall or a bit wide.  Such crops will lead to the chopping off of heads, chins, tails or feet if they are closely cropped and/or tall or wide.  Cloning to add height or width to the photo can help!

3) Only ONE excellent photo per dog ;-)  Just kidding.  But when discussing photos with a friend of mine who has helped me deliberate year to year, her first comment about this year's photos was about how EVEN BETTER they were than last year.  Made for a tough job.

[Camilla and Darwin]

OMD, I love this picture of Quincy. And that picture of you two in the paper is so picture perfect!

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Needless to say: Picture Perfect congrats!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

You really caught Quincy mid head tilt which is just perfect!  The red building in the background is just that perfect touch.  You live in such a lovely place.

[Joy Williams]

Donna, I always look forward to seeing your photos! Beautiful colors and, of course, Quincy is a beautiful subject! Congrats!!

[Joani, Skadi & Elli]

Stunning

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

As I sit here looking at the photo from the newspaper I can't help but just be in awe of all the beautiful scenery.  Then it occurred to me that Quincy is looking the other way.  Now I don't know what is in the other direction but find it hard to believe it is more beautiful than this beautiful photo.  What occurs to me is I think that is what I love about doodles ... they don't need a lot of beautiful scenery or anything really, other than to just be loved and feel secure and they will return that a million times over.  I love love love this picture!

[GBK]

Donna, so wonderful of Quincy!  Your location shots are dreamy :)

[Dee & Chloe]

This is such a stunning photo of your handsome doodle and your beautiful surroundings! Congratulations Donna and Quincy!

[Lori, Daphne, Lucy & Pippa]

Donna this was my favorite of yours this year. I love the red buildings in the background. They really make beautiful Quincy stand out…oh and of course that intense blue sky!

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

There's my Quincy Dood!

Congratulations both on the Calendar and the Celebrity Donna!

[Jay, Lola and Colonel Esau]

Wow, so many great, great photos of so many beautiful dogs.  It's really more than I can express in words.  F will tell you, a few months ago I had never even heard of the doodle calendar.  I never in a millions years imagined I would buy a DSLR, let alone figure out how to work it.  It has been so much fun learning and obsessing with such a great and talented and supportive group of people - and to have Lola be in the calendar is icing on the cake.  I thought there was no way any of my photos were close but was just happy to have the picture and to have had fun learning.

As I mentioned on FB, Lola isn't too impressed by all this.  She's already been in the USA Today, on the Today Show and probably some other things I can't remember right now.  For her it's just another day at the office!  But me, I've never even thought to do something like this, let alone be selected.  DK really is the gift that keeps on giving.  Here's Lola:

[Gail and Bailey]

Lola, you are a star...and purple is certainly your color!!  Congrats, Jay!