Week 4: Day 3

This week we were introduced to Rotate Arbitrary, Curves (adding contrast), Sharpening, Masks, and Forced Depths of Field. I found the most useful one to be sharpening. Some of my photos from this week were a little unclear, but after using the sharpening tool the pictures improved greatly.

Before using the sharpen method, this picture had very soft edges that made it appear to be somewhat blurry. After using the sharpen setting I feel that it has improved the quality of the picture. I had to adjust the sharpness many times to ensure that I was improving the appearance of the image and not ruining it. When photographing the animals (while they are their cages, so especially the cats) it is difficult to get the correct amount of lighting and I have notice the poor lighting makes the images appear more 'soft'. I hope to continue to find value in this technique!

Week 4: Day 2

I have not had the chance to capture photos of another critter but I can imagine that it is not easy. Growing up, I had a pet rabbit at home and he wasn't the easiest thing to handle. Whenever I would try to pick him up he would begin hopping around his cage ( and sometimes liked to nibble on my finger). Applying this knowledge to photography, I feel that it would be difficult to photograph a rabbit because it would not be comfortable being held and something as large as the camera may be intimidating when coming toward it's face. I will be going to the shelter tomorrow (June 1st) to photograph the animals. I will compare how I think it would be to photograph a rabbit and how it really was!!

* The photographing of the small critters was harder then I thought. The picture below is the one I felt was of the best quality. In addition to photographing the rabbit I also tried photographing guinea pigs as well. Unfortunately those pictures did not come out clear, they appeared fuzzy :(

This is Roger rabbit ID # 72068

Week 4: Day 1

Over the past 2 weeks many of the animals I have been photographing have found homes. Those animals include Kimberly, Crystal, Cambria, Maui, Lolly LaLa, Florencia, and Buster. These animals had been in the shelter for less than 2 weeks.

Kimberly

Crystal

Cambria

Buster

Florencia

Lolly LaLa

Maui

Week 3: Day 4

Responsible pet ownership will vary depending on who you talk to. In my opinion responsible pet ownership entails knowing what your pet needs and being able to meet their needs, and not always putting yourself first. Responsible pet ownership also means knowing when you have an appropriate pet to fit your lifestyle. For example, someone who lives in a house without a yard should not have a large dog that needs multiple opportunities to run throughout the day. Responsible pet owners need to be able to show care and affection toward of their no matter what.
While at the Shelter with Bailey and Kayley we interviewed one of the volunteers about what it means to be a responsible pet owner. Below is a video of the volunteer's response
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8LNqLdCc8E&feature=youtu.be

Video curtousey of Bailey Redmond and and permission with interviewer Joanne Duna

May 24, 2012
I did not see anyone else at the shelter besides for workers so I decided to interview another person I knew who has a pet. In their opinion responsible pet ownership entails "The ability to maintain proper health for your pet, spend ample time with the animal, and to love your animal unconditionallly." (Branson Holt. Interviewed on May 26th,2012)

This is a photo that I took of my dog Gunner the day I adpoted him. This depicts responsible pet ownership because not only did we rescue him but we are also meeting his needs of having a safe (and secure) place that is his own.

Week 3: Day 3

At the WCAC owners are allowed to surrender their animals to the shelter if the owner can/will no longer care for the pet. While visiting on May 23 and 24 I came across quite a few animals with owner surrender sheets. The three I chose to photograph are Colonel Whiskas, Smokey, and, Shadow. One of the sheets said it was because they had to move from their current home into an apartment, another said they were no longer able to financially keep the dog, and another was that a medical situation arose within the owner and they were not physically able to take care of the pet anymore.

Photos curtesy of Brittany Jaked
May 27th 2012

Week 3: Day 2

I was surprised about the amount of animals that have found homes between one of my visits and the next visit. One thing I have noticed about the dogs though is that the pitbulls have stayed there the longest. If I were to give a rough estimate of how many new cats came into Room CA I would say that roughly 15 new cats were there from the last time I visited. Some of the ones that didn't leave were the older ones or the ones that were more timid and less vocal then the other cats in the room. I honestly thought that the animals would stay at the shelter longer then they do. When at the shelter I try to go through and find the animals that were there the last time I was and even if I don't photograph them I still enjoy giving them attention while I am there. I can't explain the amount of enjoyment I get when I see that some of the animals I visited with the previous time have gone home and now have a family to give them the attetion they need and deserve. Each time I leave there are always at least 3 pets I wish I could just take home with me.

This is a new photo of Colenel Whiskas.

I feel that 3 things that may make him less adoptable is his age, his size, and how friendly he is. Whiskas is an older cat, and because of his age sometimes he can seem to be grumpy.


photo courtesy of Brittany Jaked
May 23, 2012
location: WCAC

Week 3: Day 1

Above is one of the pictures that I took last week and feel that it has plenty of room from improvement.
1. The photo is dark. If the photo were lighter it would make it easier to see the features and details of the cat.
2. The cats ears were cut off. When photographing animals it is important to try and  capture their entire head. This leaves less up to the imagination.
3. You can't see the paws/feet/legs. It is easier to guess the size of an animal in the picture if you can see the entire body. In this photo I mainly only have the head and body.
There are some strengths that go along with this photo
1. There are no distractions going on in the photo. This allows you to focus in on the main purpose of the photo.
2. The cat is looking at the camera. When you have the animals attetion it allows for a more inviting photo and gives you more insight to the personality.
3. The catch lights are present, and could be adjusted as much as needed. Catch lights make the animal appear more friendly. The white light area that is enhanced in the eye makes the picture brighter and gives contrast.


As the visits progress I feel that I am getting better with using the camrera as well as getting the cats attention. I hope within the next few weeks I see significant increases in my pictures and their quality to make the animals more adoptable.