Sep 9, 2011
This week, we are at the halfway mark since Project 52 started! In celebration, we were asked to go back and re-do a theme. We were given the choice that it could be one that we missed or one that we just wanted a second try at. Well, Posh Pets did just that!
You may recall that back in May, we had been asked to conduct an impromptu photo shoot with an animal we had never photographed before. I had really enjoyed that the first time around, so I took another stab at it. Meet Lola (who coincidentally as the same name my subject first time around). This time though, Lola is a beautiful siamese-mix. Here she is, looking very elegant.
I love her speckled ears! And you know what? Ears was one of our previous themes. So, I guess we did two!
In her garden, up close, you can see her beautiful blue eyes.
Now follow the blog ring around to see all the different themes for this week. Start with Blue Amrich Studio and take it from there! See you next week!
Aug 19, 2011
Welcome back to Project 52!
When the theme for this week was chosen, I was excited and, at the same time, a little daunted. Why? Well, mainly because it is completely different from how I normally process images. We were encouraged to use “textures”. For the uninitiated non-photographers out there, please let me explain. Textures are essentially a picture file that you can overlay over the top of your initial image, thereby providing a “finish” to the final image that wasn’t there when you shot it. Clear? Hmmm…let me try again. Imagine what the image would look like if you photographed something through gauze or some other translucent material. Wedding photographers will often do this when they take an image of the bride behind her veil. Well, this is the same thing, except that it is done after the fact using software.
The benefit of this type of post-processing is that, as I discovered, you can take a fairly mundane image and evoke a certain whimsy. My inspiration for this week’s image is a story I remember from childhood, entitled The Velveteen Rabbit. It clearly described what it meant when a childhood toy was “Real” – a quote that still bring tears to my eyes when I read it. Every. Single. Time. As the old Skin Horse explains to the Velveteen Rabbit:
“Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don’t matter at all, because once you are Real you can’t be ugly, except to people who don’t understand… once you are Real you can’t become unreal again. It lasts for always.”
With that, please enjoy this week’s image. Two old stuffed cats (who remind me of my own truly live cats), sitting on a table, somewhat “hugging” each other. Initially, a rather simple image, but I love it!
Now, please check out fellow pet photographer Ann Kearns and see what textures she incorporated into her images this week. Over to you Ann!
Aug 12, 2011
I remember the day I first tried wine – I thought it was pretty horrible. I did not understand how people could wax poetic about how great a particular wine was or that they would be willing to lay down hundreds of dollars for a sought-after bottle. However, as my palate developed, I discovered something. It isn’t that I did not like wine – I did not like cheap wine. Given the price of my first glass, in truth, it probably was pretty horrible.
My 50mm lens is like a fine wine. When I started in photography, I did what a lot of new photographers do – I purchased a zoom with the biggest range I could find. Afterall, all those numbers on the side of the barrel seemed to be the most bang for my buck. However, as my style developed, I came to appreciate the value of a “prime” (fixed) lens. That, and lovely large apertures. Which, as I quickly discovered, are never cheap. Eventually, that brought me to the day that I stood in a local camera store, handed over my credit card, and purchased my very own 50mm 1.2 Canon lens.
So, this week, please enjoy…A Girl + A Sleeping Kitty + A 50mm lens.
Thanks so much for stopping by! Please take a moment now to follow the blog ring around and see what other 50mm lens images are posted. You can start with Texan resident Judy Babinski of Dog Biscuit Photos by clicking here.
Jul 22, 2011
This week’s theme was completely about seeing the light and shooting into the sun. Goes against conventional wisdom in some respects, but the results can be beautiful! So, my goal was to find some amazing sunlight…
Well, Toronto had a heat wave this week and yesterday, there was records broken. As the mercury soared higher and higher, any thought of taking an animal outside to photograph was foolish. In fact, I went about my day singing the Noel Coward song…mad dogs and englishmen go out in the noonday sun! (If you want to hear the original, click here.)
In the midst of all that heat, Ripley asked to go outside. I tried to talk him out of it, but he insisted. So…I opened the patio door. He put one paw outside and then, as animals are wont to do, looked at me like I was a mad woman for having turned on the heat outside. He spent the rest of the day in this position in front of the air-conditioning.
Outside, it looked like this. How I love some gorgeous flare!
As for me, I did what any self-respecting person living in Canada would do. I went out and got an Ice Cap from Tim Hortons. It seemed the right thing to do, as I needed something to backlight!
So, how are you beating the heat?
Jul 15, 2011
How quickly the weeks fly by! For our Project 52 theme this week, we were asked to capture our pets “strange behaviour”. Generally, this is the stuff that makes them our pet’s uniquely them and why we love them so much. That is why I knew exactly what I had to capture.
Our wonderful girl kitty, Lady Jane, has a real penchant for sleeping in the middle of the floor with her back legs straight up in the air. So not a lady! From behind, she kind of looks like she has been shot and rigamortis has set in. I know, a little morbid, but it make me laugh every time I see her. The added strangeness is that she makes sure that she is right in the middle of the of the floor where there will be the most foot traffic. I guess she absolutely trusts us not to step on her!
So, here she is, in all of her glory…
And because I woke her up when I took these images, you get to see the front end too! Lady Jane really has the cutest face. (In the background of this image is our boy Ripley, who cannot understand why anyone would sleep in such a fashion – so unbecoming for a feline.)
This week, Posh Pets is linked to Dana Cubbage Photography. Please check out her images here as I am sure she has something wonderful to show of her fur-babies! And then follow the blog circle all the way around – we have some new members this week.
Jul 8, 2011
Posh Pets’ theme for this week’s Project 52 was “spots”. It was described in broad enough terms so as to allow for a wide range of interpretations. Looking at our two cats, Ripley and Lady Jane, it was evident that they would more correctly be considered striped as opposed to spotty. However, they definitely have their favourite “spots” that they like to hang out in.
Like most cats, a sun “spot” is one of their favourites. So, in honour of such a spot, I present Ripley, basking in yesterday’s morning sun. Enjoy!
Next, please check out Ann Kearns blog to see how she interpreted spots. You can follow the blog circle all the way around until you come back here to basking Ripley!
Jul 1, 2011
This week’s image was all about the movies which took me back to one of the first Disney movies I ever watched – The Aristocats. I remember being enthralled with the lives of these cats with such personality. And it stayed with me. Even though it was released before I was born, as an adult, I had my own copy of the movie. My favourite line? The conversation between the siblings Marie, Toulouse and Berlioz.
Marie: Me first! Me first!
Toulouse: Why should you be first?
Marie: Because I’m a lady. That’s why.
Toulouse: Oh, you’re not a lady.
Berlioz: You’re nothing but a sister!
So, for this week’s images, I bring you Thomas O’Malley, Duchess, Marie, Berlioz and Toulouse! Great models they were – patiently sitting while I adjusted the lighting and found my angles. No wiggling, no moving, always looking in the direction they were asked, they were perfect.
So…what is your favourite pet-related movie?
Now, please check out our newest blog circle member, Judy Babinski of Dog Biscuit Photos, and see what movie inspired her this week! Don’t forget to make your way around until you wind up back here. Welcome, Judy!
Jun 24, 2011
This week’s challenge was to create a high-key or low-key portrait. Sometimes, if a pet is not used to a studio portrait session, it can be a blessing. They have no idea what to expect and so the flashes are met with interest and curiosity. Not so with my usual model, Ripley. After enough studio sessions, he knows what those large, black, suspended boxes do and he does not approve of it one bit. They even have the audacity to “beep” after they fire as if to taunt him. So, this week I decided to post an image of Ripley from a few weeks ago. It still makes me laugh for here he is talking. To the flashes. They are his nemesis and he is letting them know that the war is on.
Next in line is Blue Amrich from Chelmsford, MA! I have a feeling she went low-key for her image. Please check her out and the rest of the other photographers in the blog ring!
Jun 17, 2011
Today is a special day in our house – it marks the close of the 14th year that our cat, Lady Jane, has been with us.
Lady Jane is short for Lady Jane Grey, the former, very short lived, queen of England. Her name came from the fact that she was quite obviously a grey tabby, she looked so dainty and small (a “lady”), and the fact that my sister, who paid the adoption fee as a gift to us, has the middle name Jane. It all seemed to fit.
Lady Jane, like her brother Ripley, is also a rescue, the exception being that her original home was the Brampton Animal Shelter. We adopted her as a kitten of about 3 months old. Now, when I say “we”, I should clarify. My husband wasn’t there when I picked Lady Jane out and adopted her. My sister was. But, I had to call Dean and let him know what I had done. I’ll never forget the conversation.
“Hey honey, you will never guess what I have gone and done!”
“You adopted another kitty?”
Silence. How did he know? He says now that it was simply in my voice. And the fact that we had had some conversation about Ripley needing a sister at some point. I honestly have no recollection of such a conversation, but I was so happy that Dean was willing to welcome Lady Jane into our home.
Lady Jane changed our home forever. Initially, she did not stop moving and I do not remember her ever sitting down. She would only collapse on occasion to sleep. At night, she would walk on us constantly until such time that she needed a warm place to nap. While Ripley preferred my feet, Lady Jane’s “place” would be my husband’s face. She seemed to like the warmth of his breathing, kind of like a heating vent. So, he would awaken to the feeling of being suffocated, which in retrospect, he probably was.
She climbed plants, she chewed things and enjoyed laying on her back with her legs in the air. Anything but a lady! She also has an eye defect – the pupil of her left eye does not contract completely in bright light. So, she compensates by closing her eye a little. However, it also throws her perspective off a little bit and in the beginning, she would run into things at break-neck speed or miss things when pouncing. She purred all the time. Even at her Veterinarian’s office while getting her annual shots. When we spayed her, we were supposed to keep her “quiet” for a couple of days. But that was a lost cause. Apparently, even in Recovery at the vet clinic, she had opened her eyes and begun running about. She was such a happy, comical cat that through everything we would sit back and laugh and love her.
Today, Lady Jane is much calmer than in her kittenhood. She has grown to the point where she is bigger than Ripley. But, she is content to be the little sister and allow her brother the role of Alpha Cat. She moves less and sleeps more as the 14 years of life take their toll. She no longer sleeps on my husband’s face – that would literally kill him. Rather, each night, she lays on the bed, holding my finger in her paw for a few minutes. It is our good-night ritual, just before she moves to sleep on her ottoman by the side of our bed.
Tonight though, we will celebrate. With new catnip mice and treats and belly rubs. We will tell her what a good kitty she is. And she will purr, just as she has for all these years. Happy Anniversary Lady Jane!
Jun 17, 2011
Accoutrements is the french word for “accessory”. So, this week’s theme was designed to celebrate the little things that make our animals happy. The last report I read said that Americans spend a staggering $41 billion on their pets annually. Proportionately, I have no doubt that Canadians spend about the same. Obviously, there is a lot of food and vet visits in that number, but I am sure that there are lots of toys and treats and designer coats as well.
Our two cats are no different. They too have their toys and so for this week’s image, Posh Pets photographed their favourite toys.
First up, we have the catnip mice. These truly have some kind of power over our felines. The orange tabby, Ripley, will roll all over the floor clutching his mouse tightly to his face. It is one of the few times he loses his dignity and with happy abandon shows his belly to the world by lying on his back. My grey tabby, Lady Jane, takes another route. She also clutches her mouse tightly, but is content to simply sit there and lick it. And lick it. AND lick it. It is like she thinks it is some kind of popsicle, when in reality it is just a big goobbery mess by the time she is done with it.
The second items are the ubiquitous foam balls. We buy them in different colours which is probably of little importance to the cats, but it makes the humans feel good.
You can tell that Ripley in particular is quite attached to his toys. I initially took them out quietly to photograph them. I probably got one or two shots before Ripley came and to make sure that I was not doing anything untoward with his possessions. The result is that those are his feet and face in my images.
Well, that is it for this week! Next up, please check out fellow Canadian, Holly Montgomery of Mutt Shots Photography. We cannot wait to see what she found this week!
Jun 3, 2011
As Posh Pets continues with Project 52, I am posting an image for this week that I think captures the simple theme of “love”. For nothing is stronger than a mother’s love, be it human or animal.
We happened upon this mama cat and her baby during one of our travels in the country of Bulgaria, more specifically the ancient city of Plovdiv. The “old city” is beautifully restored and has an abundance of little shops, lining winding streets, in which you could happily get “lost” for hours. We had decided to enter a local craft shop to see what we could buy when we came across this scene. Technically, the cat was a stray. This we learned from striking up a conversation with the lovely shop keeper. She explained that mama had appeared one day and the she had kindly given her some food. Seeing as the cat continued to come around, she eventually provided a basket for her to make a bed in. And then she had had her kittens. She had never left, preferring to carefully watch over her little ones, hugging this one as he napped (he opened his beautiful blue eyes for us when I took the photo).
As far as we know, to this day neither mama or her babies have names. They are most likely still living outdoors on the streets with only the kindness of one woman to rely upon. However, it was inspiring that, in spite of her circumstances, mama cat had not turned into an angry, fearful animal. Rather she had maintained her trusting nature and allowed us to approach her. She had remained true to her nature – a domestic cat. It made me think that maybe that that sums up the power of love. To be able, in the face of unfavourable conditions, focus positively on someone else important in your life. And to allow that relationship to prevent you from losing your humanity.
Now, it is time to travel around the world. Please check out Karla Ogilvie’s blog and see her interpretation of love!
May 27, 2011
There is a beauty in black and white photography that I simply love. To me, it seems to interpret a scene in its purest form – shadows and highlights – and therefore accentuates the light falling on your subject. And we know that photography is all about the light. So, without any further commentary, here is this week’s image in black and white:
As always, please check out the next photographer in our blog ring. This time we are going to Australia to check out Claire (Bear) Garrett from Petography. We will see you again when you make it back here to Toronto, Canada!
