Week Six Critters

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OBXAnimalShelter?authkey=Gv1sRgCKrm_eaEsNWEXA

Week Six, Day Two

My name is Jess Zottoli. I'm a rising senior and my major is psychology. I will be attending graduate school for Family and Marriage Counseling.

My interest in this course developed last semester in Photo I. I truly enjoy photography and always have. I'm the type of person who everyone else gets annoyed with for taking so many pictures. Photography captures the moment and freezes time forever; how can anyone not be excited by that? With my foundation of photography in high school, developed in college; I wanted to strength my editing skills by taking this class.

The most valuable part of this course for me was the online aspect. Living three and half hours away definitely put me at a disadvantage for summer class options. However, this class was my saving grace. It was convenient and the online aspect definitely strengthened the class. As students we were easily able to see our peers work through blogging and sharing of pictures on Picasa. Furthermore, the online aspect allowed for individuals, like me, to branch out and show what other shelters are doing. It allowed the class to compare and contrast the shelters.

I've never really grown up with pets; my family made Harley a part of our family a little over five years ago but since I've been in college I haven't gotten to be around him much. He's a great dog but since whenever I was little I've actually been afraid of dogs. This class was a bit challenging to me at first because of this fear and uncertainty of the animals. But, my blog title says it all "tutti i cani devono amare" (all dogs need love). I wasn't expecting to overcome my apprehension of dogs but this class was certainly a stepping stone. While volunteering, I actually got a great picture of one of the biggest dogs at the OBX SPCA. I took him out of his kennel and into a play area, let him run around for a few minutes then he sat for a great picture. Who would have known that this big dog just wanted to play? I've heard this a time or two (dogs just want to play) but it was proven to me in this photo session.

Photography has the potential to show masses of people the reality of what truly happens in an animal shelter. With this capability, pictures can educate and inform society about animal overpopulation.

This is LEO. He is the big doggie that not many want to come near. His before picture had his eyes closed and he was foaming at the mouth. I went to just search for his old picture and it can't be found because he was adopted. Congrats Leo, I hope your improved picture found you a home!

Week Six, Day One

Describe. What is animal overpopulation?
Animal overpopulation is a problem. According to the American Humane Association, "Each year, approximately 8 million stray and unwanted animals are taken in by shelters across the country. Tragically, about 3.7 million -- nearly half -- of these animals must be euthanized because good homes cannot be found for them. In fact, shelter euthanasia is the leading cause of death for both dogs and cats in the United States" (Source: http://www.americanhumane.org/animals/adoption-pet-care/issues-information/pet-overpopulation.html).

Interpret. Based on what you observed and learned in this course, what does animal overpopulation to you.
Animal overpopulation is a problem for animal shelters. It was just last week that a litter of a dozen puppies were dropped off. Since there was this many new puppies at one time, an older dog, Pappy, had to be euthanized in order to make room for the new. It was difficult because I hadn't even known this happened. I was showing a shelter worker some of my pictures from the previous week and Pappy's picture came up and she looked away and didn't talk for a few minutes. She then explained to me what happened. Overpopulation requires extra room and an emotional toll.

Evaluate. How does our society view animal overpopulation? What is being done to combat it? How successful or unsuccessful are the attempts?

Honestly, I didn't really fully understand animal overpopulation until this class. So I would say society isn't as aware of the problem as it could be. The OBX SPCA has launched a new pitch called "Popcorn." I've noticed flyers all over my island and I'd say word is definitely beginning to spread here; literally, the fliers are everywhere: grocery stores, restaurants, outlets, etc. The attempt is hopeful. Hopeful because the program is still in primarily stages. I feel it's a catchy name and can spread quickly. I've even hung up a few flyers of my own. Educational programs could be done to make awareness better. More information on the flyers could be helpful.

My Top Ten Pictures:











Starts with a sign ends with love :)

Week Five Critters

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Week Five, Day Four

Volunteering at the animal shelter has certainly been an experience that I will never forget. Before this class, I had never been to an animal shelter. I've learned that it's actually a lot different of what I pictured. It was more sterile and clean than I thought but still definitely overcrowded. Since there are a lot of animals, that was all the more reason to take great pictures in hopes to find the little critters homes.

I would like to say I will continue to volunteer after the class is over but honestly with working over 40 hours a week and another summer class approaching, I don't think that will be possible this summer. Although when I adopt pets in the future, I plan to find my little critter at an animal shelter...all dogs and cats need love!

Week Five, Day Three

How To: Make My Collaboration a Reality

Step 1. So I came up with several ideas. One that particularly stands out to me is the child's drawing competition. This competition would draw a crowd and therefore would be a great opportunity to spread awareness. Before the drawing section, there would be a slideshow presentation on how to be a responsible pet owner (how to potty train, how often to feed, how to play, etc). The best way to instill good behavior would be at a young age. Good techniques and caring rules would be demonstrated. After the slideshow presentation, a dog or cat would be brought out and the kids could interact. Then the drawing would commence. A local artist would be present and show kids some tips on how to draw quickly and other techniques. I enjoy this idea because it combines awareness, learning and fun.

Step 2. To put this proposal into action, I will need to contact the animal shelter and explain idea. Contact local artist and ask if he/she would volunteer his/her talents.

Step 3. Once the key people are in place, advertising will be a major part of putting on a successful event. An affordable and relatively easy option is to post flyers all over the island to explain about the event. Maybe even pass out flyers to kids while I'm working at the ice cream store. :)

Okay, so my collaboration is more about awareness and kid's art...so to provide an example of a different collaboration. Drawings combined with photos might be interesting. Visuals of the collaboration would be a picture of the animal with the background being a family. This post is very dynamic with ideas. So combine the two below pictures; cat in the front with a background drawing. "What would your new pet look like with your family?" Therefore, combining these two elements would place full emphasis on the animal and how the family needs to be there to support the new pet.(Artist: Megan; Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/25230222@N07/2380929432/)

Week Five, Day Two

Describe.
Photography sends a visual message to all audiences. The pictures evoke emotion and increase awareness of animal shelter procedures. The goal of the pictures are to increase the rate of adoptions. Photography is a great form of communication that can be posted on the internet and spread awareness quickly to a variety of audiences.

Interpret.
Artistic skills can encompass each animal's personalities. Through different camera angles, editing techniques and various compositions; the personalities shine through. By having an eye-level camera angle, the audience is entering into the animal's world on his/her own level. With a crooked eye-level, the audience can view the animal's personality as energetic and fun loving. In addition to personality, the artistic skills can show the animal's size. Some of the animals play while taking the pictures so skills are shown too.

Evaluate. I imagine portraits and drawings would do well in an animal shelter. Perhaps a cartoon drawing of the human with his/her potential adopted animal. This would be a great idea for kids. Maybe I'm just on this kick with drawings...so even having a children's drawing competition of the best animal. The child/children with the best drawing receives a free adoption fee waiver. It would be great to collaborate with other artists; regardless of their ages. Local artists could be really interested. As for other art forms, videos of the animals playing may also result in a great interest in the community.

These are pictures from today...these kittens are very cute and adoptable. The photography shows the animal's personalities. Pictures, such as these, could easily sway people to adopt animals based on their adorable looks.

Week Five, Day One

What is most valuable about this course is the hands-on experience. The photography work is a step by step process; all taking place with us. Going to the shelter, taking the pictures, editing the pictures, organizing the pictures, uploading the pictures, commenting on the pictures...it all a process that allows us to truly get involved and grow connections with our work. I mean I've caught myself a time or two editing a picture and remembering what was happening at the time the picture was being taken. For instance, one of my very first animal pictures was of Camilla (a puppy who was adopted; yay!). Camilla was very energetic and approachable but as soon as I entered the kennel, she was a little to excited and peed. I felt bad because I had scared her but after some petting she was ready for a picture. Little stories, little connections like that make this class a great learning experience. Learning in a classroom is effective but getting the hands-on experience can not be replaced.

With this course, I have found the online format to be very useful. Most of our communication is done through blogging and this format encourages each student to look at fellow classmate's work. I have also enjoyed using skype as another form of communication; it is a true lifesaver. Additionally, the online aspect has worked in my favor since I do not live in Raleigh. I am grateful this class was offered online.

I included these pictures because the online aspect allows for quick sharing of adorable critters. These pictures certainly are worth being shared.

Week Four Critters

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Week Four, Day Three

First off, it's remarkable what can be done in photoshop. I knew photoshop can change a picture greatly but now I'm maintaining my own box of tools and skills.

This week I enjoyed using the sharpening tool and the forced depth of field. Both techniques add a new dimension to the photos. Also, each promotes the adoptability of the animals; doing these fine tuning techniques allows the animals' to be shown in the best light possible.


This lovely animal is Daffe (#30323). Daffe was a bit afraid at first to have a picture taken but after some 'love' and a belly rub was more than willing to take plenty of pictures. This picture I used the sharpening tool and it adds more texture to the animal. It presents the animal in greater detail.


This big kitty is Angel (#29618) was prepared and ready to have her picture taken. She sat right up and looked at the camera. This picture demonstrates forced depth of field (using the gaussian blur). By making the background less in focus, this technique really allows the cat to be the center of attention in this photo.

Week Four, Day Two

A different kind of critter: puppies & kittens; oh my!

I normally photograph dogs and cats fairly consistently so for my different critter I chose the younger population. Some challenges with the younger animals were attention span. These critters were little explorers and adventurers. I had help from a shelter worker so I was able to take the animals out of the cage and inside the lobby to the couch area. It was fun to transport the animals to hold and carry each one. That morning I arrived, about a dozen labs were dropped off at the shelter so I tried to photograph as many of those critters as I could. What I found to be interesting was each of the little puppies, although looked identical, each had different personalities. I learned that to photograph puppies and kittens it takes a lot of patience. I learned that puppy/kitten photos turn out very cute and adoptable after much time. The time put into photographing the critters’ really out to be worth it. Enjoy!

Week Four, Day One

Successfully Adopted!

I wanted to be sure to have an accurate number of animals that have been adopted in the past two weeks so I asked the Director as soon as I arrived for my photo shoot yesterday. After looking it up on the computer, in the past two weeks sixteen animals had been adopted. Rich, the director, was kind enough to print me out a list of the animals. I was looking over the list and said, "I've photographed a few of these people!" I laughed and Rich reassured me, "Don't worry we do that here too. These animals certainly have personalities of their own."

So after two weeks, a total of sixteen animals had been adopted. Those I photographed include: Sora, Bobby, Miss. Priss, Gabby, Raja and Camilla.

SORABOBBYBOBBYCAMILLA
MISS PRISS

RAJA

I was then interested to see how many animals had come into the shelter in the last two weeks and I was beyond shocked at that number. It was a total of 131.
CLINIC - 9, OWNER/GUARDIAN SURRENDER - 22, SEIZED - 77, STRAY - 19 and WILDLIFE - 4. I'm most surprised at the number of seized animals, it is greatly larger than all the other categories. With totals like these a lot of photographing still needs to be done...so I'm going to bust a move! :)