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

https://picasaweb.google.com/101123446002444486873/6_2_11_OBXAnimalShelter?authkey=Gv1sRgCKTK2I7Xj-OPzAE#

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! :)

Week Three Critters

https://picasaweb.google.com/101123446002444486873/OBXAnimalShelter5_27_11?authkey=Gv1sRgCOWd1Keq_JTWNA#

:)

Week Three, Day Four

Responsible pet ownership entails tender, love and care. The owner has to be nurturing and kind to his/her pet while providing the animal with love and also taking care of the animal’s needs, such as food and medical bills.

An anonymous shelter worker said, “Pet ownership isn’t for anyone. We get a lot of animals here because pet owners don’t realize the responsibility it takes to maintain a pet. Animals need constant care from toys to food to just playing with the animal; it can be very demanding. A responsible pet owner would recognize there is a time commitment as well as an emotional commitment that is needed to take care of any animal but these responsibilities certainly reap rewards greater than the demands. There’s nothing greater than seeing your dog’s excitement after being apart for a couple of hours; it’s the perfect welcome home gesture.”

A shelter visitor, Elizabeth from Virginia responded, “A responsible pet owner should know that you have to have the time and finances to adequately provide for the animal. Owning a pet is a responsibility and therefore no one should take on a responsibility they cannot handle. Also, particular shelter animals need extra love and attention.”

The picture that I feel best represents a responsible pet owner is my brother Luciano and Harley. My brother is thirteen years old and although Harley is the family pet, he is most definitely Luciano’s dog. Luciano loves Harley. These two are often found in Luciano’s room playing with legos. Luciano takes Harley for walks, plays with him outside after school, makes sure he always has enough water and feeds him twice a day. Luciano loves, cares and nurtures Harley; it’s quite adorable to watch.