Apr 20, 2012
Our Project 52 challenge this week was entitled “from the ground up”. In other words, try a new perspective and angle by photographing animals from the ground and aiming your lens UP at them. It sounded like fun, until you realize that I have two cats. Two senior cats who spend their days sleeping and lounging with the occasional water and food snack. Ever tried to get under a cat and photograph them? When they are laying down? Well, that is what Ripley and Lady Jane had to contend with this week and I probably need some kind of chiropractic assistance after all of the positions I contorted my body into!
This first image is Ripley looking down on me from the bed. I knew the image I wanted – just his little face with lots of negative space. The lens flare was just a bonus!
And then there is Lady Jane who lazes around all day. Literally. I’ve watched her for the past week like a hawk trying to see her in some kind of action and she really just has a chill, zen feeling about her. So, this is her shot. I am on the ground. My camera is on the ground. But then, so is Lady Jane…
Now, please take a look at what California Pet Photographer, Karla Ogilvie as she looked UP this week!
Apr 19, 2012
I am really happy to announce that Posh Pets was recently granted membership in an organization called HeARTs Speak. What is that? Well, it is a group of pet artists (photographers included!) who provide their services to rescues and shelters to “foster the importance of animal adoptions, (and) dispel the notion that shelter animals are inferior or damaged…” It is something close to my heart as both of our two cats, Ripley and Lady Jane, originally came from a shelter and, more than 16 years later, are still the most wonderful pets!
The HeARTs Speak group has recently embarked upon “52 HeARTs” which is aimed at producing images each week centred around a common theme. For this week, the theme was friendship. I hope you enjoy the images below!
Meet Luna. Luna is a 7 year old black Lab, so she is by no means a puppy anymore. An older lady, she is a little overweight, walks a little slower, and doesn’t jump and down like a unmannerly dog…rather she looks intently at you, wags her tail and patiently waits. She was recently transferred to the Toronto Animal Services from Ohio as part of a group of 3 black Labs. For some reason, black animals can sometimes have difficulty finding homes and, given her age, she did not have much hope of finding a home in Ohio before a heartbreaking decision would have to be made. The good thing is that Toronto shelters don’t seem to experience the same issue as their US counterparts – lots and lots of black coloured animals are adopted. I am not sure that I can pinpoint a reason for the difference – I can only say that I am happy that TAS had the room and were willing to receive Luna and her friends.
I met Luna as we were preparing to take her adoption photo. She came into the little courtyard, and immediately greeted me. The soft muzzle of an older dog is a wonderful thing. You never know the background of the individual dogs, so you try a few things to see if they know even basic commands or can take direction. Happily, when Luna was asked to sit, she did.
And then Luna did something magical…without being prompted, she held out her paw to the staff member who was with me. Who, of course, took her paw. In a moment, friendship, graciously offered and accepted. From a shelter animal. One that someone didn’t want anymore.
All those that meet her know that Luna will make a wonderful pet for a loving family. We sincerely hope she will find her forever home soon. Surrounded by love, belly rubs and a warm bed.
And because we are all about equality, I have another image (this time of cats) from a few weeks ago at the same shelter. The cats at the TAS have a pretty nice place to hang out, a lovely “cat pod” that has an entire bank of windows on one wall, tons of toys and the ability to interact with each other. (For those who prefer to spend limited time with others, there are lots of places to snuggle in and sleep and other private rooms.) Each week, I enter the pod to see who is new and needs their photograph taken. Then begins the process of isolating them from the others and coaxing them into a cute, little pose…
I was photographing the brown guy on the right who was lounging up on his cat tree where I could get a photo of him. At this point, I was pretty sure I had the image I wanted, when the orange boy, jumped up and settled in as well. Now, this cat bowl/perch was really not big enough for the two of them. In fact, you can see the big orange guy hanging off the edge in this image. In some circumstances, this could have resulted in a bit of a cat fight. But, not these two. They were obviously friends and they figured out a way to get the both of them on there and then began grooming each other. Proving that, friendship can blossom just about anywhere…
Apr 13, 2012
Back with another edition of Project 52 with the Beautiful Beasties group! And this week’s theme was to photograph the “favourite things” of our pets. Truthfully, it wasn’t hard to identify those with our two senior kitties. At 17 and 15 years of age, Ripley and Lady Jane are not very much interested in any toys that they might have collected through the years. And they are quite different from one another in their tastes – Lady Jane likes treats; Ripley not so much. Ripley loves to be picked up and cuddled; Lady Jane lets out a plaintive cry if we carry her anywhere. But the one thing they can both agree on is how much they love the bed.
As in, OUR bed.
Sleeping and lounging these days is a full-day affair, and our bed seems to be the favourite venue. I have often joked with my husband that Ripley and Lady Jane allow us to sleep in THEIR bed, not the other way around. Even now, as I am typing this, my husband is attempting to change the sheets on the bed and Ripley is “helping” by staking his claim and refusing to move.
So, here is Ripley, looking cute as ever, hanging out on our bed…(All this sleeping must help…I think he looks much younger than his 17+ years!)
Next is Fort McMurray Pet Photography, KLAD Photography – it will be fun to to see some of her dogs’ favourite things! And then please click all the way around the blog ring until you wind up back here. Ripley will still be lounging when you make your way back…
Apr 6, 2012
Sometimes an image just speaks to you and you know you “got it”. This week’s theme was to pick a song and illustrate it through an image or a series of images. When I heard the theme, I had a few ideas in mind, but nothing concrete.
As most of you know, I volunteer each week at the Toronto Animal Services, photographing their adoptables. That is when I met Rufus who nailed the images for me.
First of all, Rufus is a beagle and I absolutely adore beagles! I have always said that it must come from being brought up on Snoopy. Rufus is almost 6 years old and is a awesome beagle. He is tri-colour, likes to “speak” and has a tail that doesn’t stop wagging. Even as I photographed him, I could not stop singing,
How much is that doggie in the window? The one with the waggily tail.
Hos much is that doggie in the window? I do hope that doggie’s for sale!
Just look at that tail! The great thing is that Rufus is not for sale – he is available for adoption and would love to find his forever home!
Next in the blog circle is Central Coast Pet Photographer, Sharon Stokes. Please check out what song she is singing this week!
Mar 2, 2012
This week’s challenge was to keep the words to a minimum and tell a story through an image(s). Photojournalists have mastered the art of letting an image speak for itself, and there exist iconic images that changed the course of world events. Now, I don’t think for one moment that that is the level of storytelling presented here, but I think you will enjoy this funny little series nonetheless.
The Wolf Within Sleeps (The Cost of Domestication)
I am Dog. Master of my own domain. At one with the Great Outdoors.
Though once my fun is done, I like nothing better than to be warm and dry inside.
But, do not fear! I am not conquered! I have learned the power of “puppy dog eyes”. How it makes humans bend to my will.
Open…the…door…
…please?
The next in the blog roll is Tiffany Haulton of Haulton Photography. Please check out what story she has to tell this week! And then click all around the blog roll until you wind up back here. You won’t be disappointed!
Feb 24, 2012
First off, if you follow the Project 52 series each week, I am happy to report that Patches and April were adopted a few days ago! Not together, which would have been just about perfect, but I am so happy that these older pets found lovely families to spend the rest of their lives with. If you missed their story, you can read it here.
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This week’s theme was chosen by Posh Pets to see what we could do with mirrors or any other reflective surface. I cannot wait to see what the group came up with!
Here is Ripley. The one thing that people always comment on are his gorgeous eyes. After all these years, they are still as large and bright as they ever were and these images really show them off. He’s looking adoringly at himself in my compact mirror.
And then, there is Lady Jane – her tail, that is. I really like this image because it just has the hint of a cat. What you do not see is the furry, loveable 15 lb. body attached to it!
Next up in the blog circle is Kelly Kennedy Coyle of Sweet Silver Photo. Please check her work out as well as the rest of the artists in our group – we love it when we get feedback!
Feb 10, 2012
Dogs follow their noses, especially the “hound” breeds. This week, Posh Pets was fortunate enough to photography a trio of beagles which provided lots and lots of noses to photograph. This image is a little more abstract/fine art than usual, but I really love it. And it showcases Marcy’s little nose.
Here is a top view of that same nose.
And here is the same nose WAY, WAY TOO CLOSE. Love this picture! This happens a lot during photo sessions – probably more than most people realize. And it always results in funny photos like this one. As well as the necessary business of wiping your lens clean of doggy nose schmutz.
But, just to show you what a beautiful girl Marcy really is, here is her adoption photo. Yes, unbelievably, she and her nose (and eyes, ears, paws and heart!) are all patiently waiting at the Toronto Animal Services for her forever home.
That is it for Posh Pets for this week! Now, please check out Kaylee Greer of Dog Breath Photography who is located just a little south of us in beautiful Boston, Massachusetts! We cannot wait to see what noses she photographed this week!
Feb 3, 2012
Posh Pets’ Project 52 theme for this week was simply “bridges”.
I love this image because it reminds me that the beautiful warm sun still exists – even though we haven’t seen much of it for the past few weeks in cloudy Toronto. Along with blue sky and green trees. And, oh yeah, it has a bridge! So, even though this technically was taken last summer, I think you will all forgive me if I bent the rules a bit.
Now, please check out Peggy Mundell of DogBreedz and see what bridges she found in sunny California! Over to you, Peggy!
Jan 27, 2012
This week’s theme made me smile as I knew exactly the image I wanted to capture. While cats are known for their ability to jump, they tend to have the reputation for being independent and aloof. In other words, not cuddly. Well, Ripley is a bit of a contradiction in terms for a cat. At 17 years of age, he is not so much into jumping anymore, but he is an absolute suck when it comes to getting cuddles from my husband. I just knew that this was what I wanted to photograph. And so, I present Ripley, nestled into Dean’s shoulder for his daily morning cuddle.
We always can tell how relaxed Ripley is by his paws. I love how he crosses his little paws, one over the other, when he is relaxed and really enjoying his hug. When he does this, we know it will be a long one!
Now, please check out fellow Canadian photographer, Ann Kearns to see if her crew was jumping or cuddling…or both! And then follow the blog circle all the way back here. Have a great Friday and weekend!
Jan 20, 2012
Shooting “from the hip” is a technique pet photographers will use to capture unique angles. It takes a little practice because you are literally holding your camera at about hip level and firing the shutter without looking through the view finder. What you end up with can be great, hilarious or just plain garbage. It all depends on where your camera ends up focusing. And, because you are doing this “blind”, you do not really know what you have captured until you look at the screen on the back of your camera.
To begin with I tried photographing Lady Jane while she was sitting still. These were literally my first two images, which was pretty awesome. But, she was sitting still, so that made it easier.
The next task was to do this while she was in motion. This makes it incredibly more difficult to do. My favourite image is the one below. It gives a sense of motion, which makes sense because, well…she was moving.
In all, I was pretty pleased with the results. I found that the images are very different with a large dog (I have done that before) because you can tend to get “under” their chin. Seeing as Lady Jane stands about 12 inches tall, I would have had to literally drag my camera along the ground in order to get that perspective.
So, let’s see what everyone else in the blog circle came up with this week! To begin with, please check out the super talented Natalia & Bill from Photolab and see what fun shots they captured for the theme! And then continue all the way around until you end up back here. We’ll see you next week!
Jan 13, 2012
The theme we were given to shoot around this week was simply “new”. Given that most people take a moment at the beginning of a new year or a new month to think about some goals they might have, I thought I would share one of mine. This will definitely be new for me.
I want to learn to shoot film…properly.
There was a time that I had a film camera and I happily put rolls of film in it, set it to auto and hoped for the best. At the time, I had no idea of how to compose a photograph, let alone how to determine “correct’ exposure or how to rate film. This time, I am going to learn.
Given my goal, I am so thankful to my mom for lending me her old Minolta x-700. At the time when it was released, this was a state-of-the-art camera system – the flagship of the Minolta line. It is lovely! Completely manual, without the aid of an LCD screen, this camera will force me to slow down and think before I release the shutter. It will also force me to become friends with my light meter again.
Second item on my list was, of course, film! I have chosen to shoot Kodak Portra 400 VC for my first few rolls. And here is the very first one, fresh out of his cannister with its old familiar smell. This will bring its own set of challenges, the most interesting of which will be finding a lab that I like that can process C-41 colour film. I have been given a couple of recommendations which I will try out, but I am excited to discover a part of the Toronto photography scene that I know little about.
So, there you have it – my new (to me!) camera, my new film and my new goal! With a manual focus camera, it might be a little while until you see Posh Pets portraits from me taken on film, but I think working with this new medium will make me a better photographer. It will be just for me. No pressure. No chance of public failure. But, with a lot of time and practice, I hope to bring you images of cats and dogs, shot on film.
As this is a blog circle, please check out Cynthia Wood of Georgian Bay Studios and see what is new in her life this week! Have a happy Friday!
Jan 6, 2012
Welcome to 2012 – a brand new year and a new start to Project 52! For this week, we were asked to introduce you to our pets. Unfortunately, not all was well in the Posh Pets’ household this week. I would love to explain, but I promised Ripley, our 17-year old orange tabby that he could tell it from his perspective. Hang on to your seats. And read this out loud with a slight British accent – that is exactly how Ripley speaks.
“Last Friday, I awoke to a day that I thought would be like any other. We had snow – which was new for this season, but we do get that every year. Other than that, I woke up my mom at the appointed time to ask her to feed me. She is good about that and ensures that my sister and myself always have what we need in the morning. As we padded our way to the kitchen to open the fridge door (which I always peer into to determine what today’s menu will be like), I noticed that something was amiss. My sister, who prides herself it seems, on a ghastly display of manners by bounding ahead of me and trying to shove her face into my food bowl, was following behind. (Please note that word, “behind” – it becomes important). This was highly unusual, for in my 16 years of residence – 15 of which were with Lady Jane – she rarely follows me.
Anyway, I had my breakfast, but Lady Jane seemed uninterested. Highly unusual. It was then that I heard my mom making a phone call and I knew, instinctively by how she addressed them, that this was no ordinary phone call at 7:30 a.m. in the morning. One of those terrible creatures humanity calls “vets” had been called. Given that we had just attended that sordid place in July (yes, I do keep track of these things), I could not believe my ears. I was sure that my attempts at behaviour modification had worked, for in July, I had thrown up all over the vet clinic’s lobby which prompted everyone, including staff, to great action of cleaning me, my carrier, the room…and the year previously, I had pee’d on my vet as a signal of my displeasure with where she stuck THAT. But I digress…
Soon after, I heard the familiar rattle of the cat carrier being dragged out of the closet. It was then that I noticed that the bedroom door was closed and I was IN the bedroom. The cat carrier was OUT there, but I was IN here. Safely esconsed in my room. I listened and then I heard it. Lady Jane’s furitive cries as she was being placed in the carrier. The bedroom door opened and suddenly my mom was explaining to me that she had to take Lady Jane to the vet, but that she would be home soon. I was relieved. Mostly because it appears that my previous behaviour has frightened or disgusted those vets enough to not ever want to see me again. Hopefully both.
I obviously have no first-hand knowledge of what went on in that place, but as I understand it, Lady Jane developed a condition that involved her…ahem…bottom region (see my reference above to “behind”). Essentially, she was unable to use the litter box as we felines have done for years. Rather than ensuring that she drank enough water (as I always do) to counteract the problem, she resorted to licking herself…down there. However, she was not content to merely clean herself. No, she licked herself to the point that she was red, raw and sore. That will only get you a trip to the vet and this time it is your own fault, in my opinion.
Anyway, mom and Lady Jane returned and I was none the worse for wear, lounging about on the couch upon their arrival. The carrier was opened and I came over to hear what tribulations she might have endured during her trip away. I had planned to give her a good sniff to ensure she was clean, but I was stopped dead in my tracks.
It. Was. Horrific.
For there was Lady Jane alright, but what had they put around her head? A satellite dish, perhaps? No, for we have never had any need of such entertainment in our house and this particular dish was turquoise. If Lady Jane was channelling some kind of Elizabethan collar style…well, this was not working for her. She looked depressed and miserable. I no doubt looked astounded and aghast. (Later when I heard my mom recounting the situation to my dad, she said my look was “priceless”. I like the sound of that.)
What ensued was 5 days of some ancient rituals involving water, epsom salts, zinc oxide cream (I have since been made aware of the fact that they regularly put this on human babies as well to counteract something called diaper rash) and syringes of sticky, orange-flavoured lactulose. All the while, wearing this ridiculous cone-shaped contraption. To her credit, Lady Jane bore it all remarkably well. I tried the best I could to support her by giving her gentle kisses on her head which is not like me, but when one of your own is so publically humiliated, you must help them to survive.
So, there you have it. I was in no condition to have my portrait taken this week and neither was Lady Jane. But to give you an idea of how incredibly horrible this all was, look below. If you are faint of heart, please avert your eyes.”
Ripley
For those left wondering, Lady Jane seems to have recovered from her ordeal and all systems are working as they should. The cone of shame has been removed and she has spent quite a bit of time sleeping. Which is when I captured this portrait of her. It really displays what she is like – a lovely, contented kitty. As for Ripley…he has had a hard week. Enjoy!
Now, in order to meet all the pets of the other members of the Project 52 circle, please check out fellow Canadian pet photographer Cynthia Wood.
