Portraits for PAWS

i got the opportunity this past Saturday to attend a group photo shoot at a local shelter.  the group organizes through the MeetUp site.  a friend recommended it to me some time ago.  i've never used it for anything before other than getting their emails about local events pulled together by individuals.  i like to play with photography but, like all things me, have a very short attention span so struggle with focus - haha pun completely intended.

when i saw the Portraits for PAWS, they got me!  anything animal related & i'm there.  it was enlightening (pun not intended) to say the least.  a lot going on at one time & varying levels of experience & equipment by members.  i may not have learned a lot about photography specifically, but i certainly got my feet wet in a photo shoot.  jockeying for position, waiting for that "right" shot, working with multiple levels of energy (the pets, not us), etc.  i'm so glad i did it!  besides, it will help me better prepare for this year's Portraits With Santa shoot that i know is being planned as we speak.  i also hope it will allow me to feel more confident in volunteering my time at another local shelter that could use the photography help!

so here are just a couple of photos, unedited.  i elected to shoot in black and white even though that may not be what works best for the shelter, i like the personality that it brings to a photo.  besides, there were several other people shooting in color so i wasn't worried about what the shelter will be able to use for their site.

you can see more photos from the group HERE.  i hope you will consider a rescue in the future.  there were lots of great pets that really do deserve good homes!

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Tilt Shift Maker

while Brian and i had fun with creating our own tilt shift images here and here, you can do this without all the fuss by going here!

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the eagle has landed

actually eagleS. shot this last weekend and while having eagles around the house is not that big a deal to us, it is a big deal when they hang out in our tree. they just don't usually do that. no idea why but i'll be doing some remodeling to the tree this summer to see if i can make it more appealing!

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NachoHeston

i think this is what he was going for

psst Brian - done in GIMP on Fedora7 hehehe!

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baby it's cold outside

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obsessed

and i am now obsessed with Faded blurs and Pattern stamping

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Tilt Shift

so it was a video here that inspired Brian and i to take a look at creating this same effect in Photoshop earlier today. i guess we could have gone out and bought the $2000 lens that will do this for you, but this seemed like a much better idea in the meantime. anyway, here's Brian's attempt in Gimp. even better!

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today at work......

BIG shout out to Brian for the creative input and his walking google knowledge! if your internets is ever down, call Brian. he knows it by heart!

UPDATE! Brian's 2 cents

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Day Marker

another lightning storm last night, but this was all i got.

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wildlife sanctuary

i came home from work today and found 2 baby birds jumping from stem to stem in my garden. i have no idea what type of birds they are. i also took a photo of what i assume to be the "mom". she was flying in and out dropping off food for them the entire time. they seem to be trying to get their wings right now. my next goal is to capture the baby bunnies that have made a nest in my garden too!

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the calm after the storm

nacho had to stop me from going out this morning at like 1am to take photos of perhaps the most awesomest lightning show ever! but he assures me i'll have another shot Friday. he better be right. anyway, the boxers woke me up this morning so i could catch this pic at sunrise. it really was that beautiful!

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peony

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oh how i love a rainy night!

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End of Summer

well, we're off to Florida for the weekend to visit my family. here's one last look at a summer sunset cuz when we come back, summer won't be here. until next year!

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hydrants

i rather enjoy Nacho's industrial slant

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got pipe?

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canna

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morning

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flowers

i do practice on more than just lightning....
just a couple of daisies - my favorite flower!

and Katie's Japanese Passion Vine. i have to steal some of this when she's not around!

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peeking through

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