My Personal Project 2010 - Updated WEEK 52 - The End! - Happy New Year everyone [Archive]

Shorty

01-01-2010, 12:10

Meh, I decided to submit this image....This is the kind of thing I do now....I hope, looking back in a year I will have much more exciting images, which are more pleasing to the eye/composed better and a little 'out of the ordinary' in a good way! :)

Happy New Year everyone!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2599/4234049952_692d083741.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2715/4233628528_b24c12c272.jpg

jeangenie

01-01-2010, 14:27

Now that's what I call getting on with it, Shorty. :)

I like the depth of field and the sharp focus on his (her?) eye. It looks a tad over-processed but that might just be me recovering from last night. :lol: Good luck with your project. :)

Jean

Lisa

01-01-2010, 15:32

Love that shot! Fab dof and sharpness.

Shorty

01-01-2010, 15:34

The original has been added next to the shot, so the difference can be seen.
I just use a preset in Lightroom is my 'main' used one [beauty pop[I alternate between 1/2 and also between 'Boost'..Downloaded ones - which I think looking at it probably does do a lot of PP.. Blacks/Contrast/Clarity and Saturation among many other things]

Actually, thanks for that Jean, given me an idea that maybe, to actually help me with this project if I post the original next to the processed that might help me with a technique more, rather than relying on PP[which I do 50/50 of now...] I shall ponder on that, doesn't take too much out of my time so don't see why not! Thanks!
And another thing - don't rely on certain presets, hadn't realised just how much it does PP a pic!

Thanks Lisa :) look forward to your project!

SarahLee

01-01-2010, 19:57

Happy New Year !!!

A good start to your project and I love the idea of showing the original next to the finished shot each week.
I really do like the PP that you do on your dog shots. It's very distinctive - I could pick one of your shots out from a whole pile of other dog pics :thumbs:

Preset or not, I tend to think that PP is there as a tool and if it works, then use it.
Having said that, it'll be nice to see you experiment with the technique and see what else you come up with.

jeangenie

01-01-2010, 20:57

Showing the original and the pp'd version is a brilliant idea. In fact, for this one, I love the Lightroom effect on the eyes but I do really prefer the fur in the original, despite the blue rinse. :)

I can see you're going to be trying loads of new stuff this year. :thumbs:

Jean

Shorty

01-01-2010, 21:24

Shorty

06-01-2010, 09:37

Here's my second shot for this week. Bloody unco-operative cats! I swear, who'd have 'em? :lol:

Ria in the snow.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4041/4250052571_e56ee17281.jpghttp://farm5.static.flickr.com/4071/4250052373_ec376097d1.jpg

Bruja

06-01-2010, 10:26

Hi Leanne, I really like the PP on the first dog shot as I think it's just a matter of individual taste.

And the cat - beautiful - focus is spot on, DoF is fantastic and she's actually moving :lol:

Mine are either asleep or eating :D

Really looking forward to following this thread.

SarahLee

06-01-2010, 10:35

:clap: :clap: :clap:

Superb shot of the cat!
Made even better by the fact that they're so difficult to capture.
Focus on the eyes is perfect, lovely DOF and I know that I keep saying it but I really love your PP on your animal shots :love:

jgs001

06-01-2010, 10:47

Very well done on both of those shots Leanne :thumbs: I do like the second PP on the doggy, and the unusual view and DOF works superbly. The Cat looks like a damned tricky exposure, and I think the PP has got it about right, although the snow has gone a little grey :thinking:... The fur colours have come up really nicely though.

Lisa

06-01-2010, 10:55

Oh wow love the cat shot, the edited one is fab!

I too love the pp you do on your animal shots!

Shorty

06-01-2010, 11:15

Ssssssssssh, we have speshil snow here in Bedfordshire! It falls down Grey :O amazing, innit.

It is Grey because I had to severly lower the Exposure in PP, the histogram wasn't happy[and Ria was majorly blown!], but once again, now you mentioned it - it's a little *too* grey and dull....Bums. Will see what I can do about it.
I much prefer the snow we had last month, white snow, bright sunshine and everything in the shot came out exposed brilliantly, not much PP needed...But now?

Bruja, don't be fooled - ours are too, but Ria likes the snow, bless her. Doesn't get giddy or anything she just likes staying outside in it. Funny girl.

And Thanks Sarah and Lisa :D

Alison

06-01-2010, 11:28

I really like the shots and processing, particularly dog edit #1 and Ria :thumbs:

drfrallyphotos

08-01-2010, 17:59

Lovely shot of your cat, in an almost typical tiger like photo.
The darkness of the fence in the background also helps the photo from the blown out snow :D

Shorty

14-01-2010, 09:41

Lisa

14-01-2010, 12:56

Can i ask what pp you do, i really do like it!

Shorty

14-01-2010, 13:29

Course you can, I use beauty pop (http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=af87642de56ed7509bf8d6369220dcabe04e75f6 e8ebb871) [usualy either one or two] or sometimes Boost[can't rem where I got this one from, sorry. presets for Lightroom and then fiddle from there to suit. I tend to like high clarity, and quite a bit of vibrance, and of course the contrast!

I started off by doing the stuff myself, but when I saw these Presets it's basically exactly what I'd like to do to my pics, and of course with the fiddle I do afterwards[sometimes they give off yellow/blue colour casts, so I'll obviously change WB if needed etc]

However, like I said previously a lot of my PP/work is quite subjective and only a small amount of people will like it because of my extreme love for vibrance/contrast and clarity :P

Lisa

15-01-2010, 11:18

Thanks :)

I think it works well with animal shots!

dade_f

16-01-2010, 07:46

Really like the cat shot ;)
the PP is good but be careful of relying on it too much or your pics will look 'samey' (unless thats what you want?)

Keep at it ;)

jeangenie

16-01-2010, 08:30

Jean, taken that on board, and had a fiddle, can't seem to boost the eye too much without changing his fur dramatically back to the PPd version above :) -
The more Im looking at it, I'm starting to not like the PP work[first try], it does look overdone, and that's funny cos when I first did it I was just like 'oh perfick, a teeny boost' and now I'm like. WOAAAAAAAAH.
this is the kinda input I need/want! I think this is gonna be a good project :D

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2633/4235160354_4c885f533a.jpg

Oooh, I like this version best, by far. The eye really grabs attention. It's hard to get a balance without selecting elements of the picture to process separately. What processing software do you use? Hacker did a fantastic 'make eyes shine' tutorial some time ago. If I can find the link, I'll send it to you.

The cat: It really is fantastic seeing the two shots side by side, and I think what you've done to this one is spot on. She really looks as though she's hunting through the snow and stalking her lunch! You've done justice to a beautiful girl! :thumbs:

The dog: He might be unco-operative but you've caught a good shot of him. The nose being oof really shows he's barking, the eyes are fabulous. My only small niggle is his tongue looks a bit on the pink side, but it doesn't detract because the eyes command so much attention. :clap::clap::clap:

Jean

Shorty

16-01-2010, 09:49

Thanks very much for the comments guys!

Dade - I don't want my pics to be samey, no, however the presets do have the overall look I'd LOVE for my pics. Problem is I spent 30mins yest trying to see which sliders controlled which element of each pic I like [the sharpness and depth to the eyes, as well as the colour without blue tinge, in most cases] but the bits I don't want there in some cases aren't controlled by the obvious[like brightness/exposure isn;t actually changed by those sliders :S]
Which is what I tried to do re: pinkness of his tongue and his ear, the 'vibrance' and 'saturation' sliders don't change that. Confusing huh?
It's very confusing for me, but i am trying to reach out change elements from the presets. We'll see how I go.
This is the exact kinda thing I wanted out of this task, I wouldn't have realised so much, how I rely on the same presets again and again and it's all a step in the direction to bette myself :)

I have both Lightroom2 and CS2 but I don't really use Photoshop anymore, only for 'creating' things really.

SarahLee

17-01-2010, 16:41

Well, I'm in Yorkshire working for two weeks now. Some of you may recognise the dogs/cats coming up in the next couple of weeks. They featured in my 52 last year :)

A shot taken this morning with the most unco-operative dog :P I just couldn't nail the DOF on the nose, and he never stop barking when asked to pose :lol:

Sorry Leanne, your latest update somehow slipped past me with the hundreds of threads that are in this section this year!
Found it again now though - and I think you've done brilliantly with such an uncooperative model :clap:

I don't like it quite as much as your two earlier shots. I think you said yourself about the tongue looking a bit too pink and the nose not being quite right. Considering how much he was moving around though, I'm amazed that you got anything at all - and if your other shots weren't so brilliant I'd be raving about it.

Good luck working out how all the sliders match up in those presets. Going by how well those presets work, if you figure it out and customise the effect the results will be stunning!
The other thing you could try is applying the preset to a duplicate layer. You could play with opacity to control the strength of the effect or mask areas out as required :shrug:

Shorty

17-01-2010, 18:07

Sadly Lightroom doesn't have layers or opacity etc. Certainly not to my knowledge anyway :(

He's SUCH a hard dog to capture, we progressed a little bit more today with using his kibble and moderating the time inbetween giving him bits[ e.g even if I didn't get a shot, I still gave him a treat before readjusting him etc] I'm gonna try more on his bigger sister cos she seemed to really understand what I wanted of her for a couple of shots - others she just keeps offering me 'paw' and her coat is hard to work with as she has no eyes according to it :P

It is VERY hard keeping up with even my own thread underneath these hundreds, let alone anyone elses. So I'm really sorry if I've not yet replied to your thread :( :hug:
I'm really reluctant to to go back into PS too, cos Lightroom offers so much more, editing wise[to me - maybe it's just easier] :lol:

Thanks Sarah

Bruja

18-01-2010, 11:12

As someone who only does basic PP using ACDsee I take my hat off to you :notworthy:

And for shooting cats and dogs, who can be even less controlable than small kids it's sounds like you were very persistent to get the shot you did. Yes the focus isn't right on the nose :D, but the eyes have it. :clap::clap:

Shorty

18-01-2010, 12:31

Aww Thank you :hug:

Here is a doggie with a shorter nose and therefore easier to deal with :P This is Barky Puppy's older sister.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2563/4285002520_33c6a41cea.jpg
Seeeeee, diff processing :p

Shorty

19-01-2010, 08:40

Yesterday was a good day, I'm rather giddy about the next picture, still shocked at how flukey the whole situation was...And...again, diff processing!
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/4287644485_851ab4106a_m.jpghttp://farm5.static.flickr.com/4016/4287645379_03de80333e_m.jpghttp://farm5.static.flickr.com/4011/4288385432_6fa5e0de11_m.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2691/4285351849_e3e0bfe7d0_o.jpg

Gawd I love this cat after these shots!

Bruja

27-01-2010, 10:10

I can see how having a shorter nosed dog can help with the focus :lol::lol:

Lovely shot of the puppy :thumbs:

As for the cat triptych that's just fantastic :clap::clap:

It would have more impact though if there was more space between the original pictures and the final result as the page is a bit cluttered and the finished product deserves to stand alone.

OptimusBri

27-01-2010, 10:16

The cat triptych is great! I really like the processing on it :)

SarahLee

27-01-2010, 17:12

:bonk: So Sorry. . . totally missed these last couple of updates.

Here is a doggie with a shorter nose and therefore easier to deal with :P This is Barky Puppy's older sister.

:thumbs: yep.
I can see how that makes it easier and that is a beautiful shot.

Gawd I love this cat after these shots!

I bet you do!
:clap: :clap: :clap:
This is the absolute best that I've ever seen from you. :love: Stunning shots and I love the way that you've laid them out in the triptych.

Just can't believe that I didn't see these earlier . . . sorry again :(

Shorty

27-01-2010, 18:13

Don't be sorry. I lost my own thread!! Haha
I'm still over the moon with the cat shots. Not been able to replicate them cos the light has never been the same. I can't emphasise how much of a fluke it was, I literally went out there with my camera was gonna get ready for a 'mini shoot' and he started doing the scratching, so without changing any setting I literally just clicked and clicke and clicked, all of them came out in focus :O[which is very rare, cos he was moving closer n closer[as the last pic emphasises] and the light. Not ever known lighting to be so perfect. The most gorgeous golden sun as it started setting.

Anyway :p

Thanks for the comments you guys :love:

Will just edit the originals away a little

Thanks :)

Will B

27-01-2010, 18:29

Like them all, cool animal shots. Keep up the good work...Regards willem

SarahLee

27-01-2010, 18:52

Shorty

27-01-2010, 19:09

Aww, thank you Sarah, you're really very kind :) :hug:

It's mental with all the threads this year. I've only been able to find yours, Bruja Jill's and Jean's threads so far :/

SarahLee

27-01-2010, 19:13

From last year's 52, Darkstar, JGS John, Tracer and Kdot are in there somewhere too.

And Karmagarda as well, but his is a bit random with updates because he's doing it all on film . . . nutter! :cuckoo: ;)

(Hope I haven't forgotten anyone)

jennyb

27-01-2010, 19:48

I have only just found this thread and there are some really stunning images. Animal photography is not easy, but you have managed some very interesting shots. Yes, it is difficult with DOF trying to get nose and face in focus, but you have managed that very well with the cat photos.

I hope I don't lose this thread again but with so many to choose from, I usually just comment on the first few that I see at random in an evening.

Jenny

jgs001

28-01-2010, 13:03

Lovely shots Leanne... The moving doggie that bought the rock in ... is very good, I can see the problem with the nose, but the shot works anyway.

The short nose does work well.. another good shot.

but the winner for me is that cat this week... A wonderfully presented triptych :clap:

MagicMynx

28-01-2010, 13:04

I like monorail cat one. that is so cute!

jeangenie

28-01-2010, 22:56

Shorty - I'm sorry I'm in the 'I've lost your thread this week camp'. Big catch up coming up:

Barky Puppy's sister: I think you've captured a terrific expression on her (you can almost hear her saying 'I wish my little sister'd behave herself! :lol:) You're right about the focusing - this looks really good. Her eye is nice and sharp and although a little bit of fur is slightly blown I don't think it detract one bit - in fact it looks kind of 'arty'. :thumbs:

The cat triptych - now that is something else again. Brilliant. :clap::clap::clap: I can imagine how you must have felt when you downloaded that and saw just how good it it. And I'm not in the slightest bit jealous!!!!!!! (Much!) I totally love how you've processed these shots - and I could see the middle one as a national advertising campaign for the Cat food for SuperCats. I hope you're getting these printed and framed. :thumbs::thumbs::thumbs:

Jean

Shorty

30-01-2010, 20:19

Wow, thank you for your super kind comments, everyone!! *blush* :D

Thanks for list of people, will try and find their threads :)

Jean, wow, thankyou. I'm not getting them printed[not until I get pics of our own animals printed, I feel bad that my first ever printed photo[finally given to my neighbour today] was of her dog, and not somethin of one of our pets. But I have a shot of our parrot we'll get done now, and just get the cat pictures done as we go along.
HOWEVER, I have done these 'client' pictures as part of a donation to the rescue I volunteer for, so we'll see if they want any of the cat pics.

Right back home and back at the rescue today. It's odd how comfortable I am there in regards to photo taking. Anywhere here is our newest resident - a very emaciated, terrified, sad and nervous boy :(

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4040/4317139842_fc576cbfac.jpghttp://farm5.static.flickr.com/4063/4316563892_bf015199a9.jpg

jennyb

30-01-2010, 21:26

He is beautiful and it's a lovely shot. I prefer the one on the left, though. The colours seem more natural.

Jenny

SarahLee

31-01-2010, 17:00

But I have a shot of our parrot we'll get done now, and just get the cat pictures done as we go along.
HOWEVER, I have done these 'client' pictures as part of a donation to the rescue I volunteer for, so we'll see if they want any of the cat pics.

Is that the parrot one from last year's 52?
I seem to remember seeing a stunning parrot pic last year and I'm sure that it was in your thread. If it's the one that I'm thinking of you should definitely get it printed . . . and I'm sure that they'll want those cat shots!

What a sad shot for this week though :(
You can see how skittish he is and he looks so thin, poor thing. I hope he features in your project again so that we can see how he's getting along.

For once, I actually prefer the unedited version of this one. You've got it so close to perfect in camera that I really don't think the PP is adding anything - in fact it's looking a bit too forced.
I do like the way the eyes have come up after processing but for everything else I think the original is far better :thumbs:

You should give yourself a big pat on the back for getting it so good without any PP :clap:

daddy day care

31-01-2010, 17:10

This is a brilliant idea.

Stand out image is the cat tryptich for me.

Your processing in all of them is fantastic. The OTT aspect works really well for these pictures :thumbs:

Shorty

31-01-2010, 17:10

Yes, I was gonna reply to Jenny this morning but shot out to the rescue. I think I'm so used to uploading the RAW and going straight into LR to edit, and it is the first ever pic that SOOC it's good. It was a good light, but I used flash, and I think that helped with contrast and colours? Cos the ones without flash did need a 'boost'

This Parrot pic was only taken beginning of year: http://www.flickr.com/photos/shortyleanne/4256332949/in/set-72157616474438748/ is the pic I just ordered for a print. I can't rem what pic I used last year will look back at the my thread.

I think I'm gonna have a lot of pics for this week cos I'm back at rescue...Have another one from today :P will upload it later as need to do the original piccy. And am back tomorrow and will hopefully take the setter out again - worst thing is, he wasn't a stray - he's a hand in :'(

Aww, thanks very much DDC!

jeangenie

31-01-2010, 21:15

How could anyone treat a beautiful dog so badly! (Any dog, come to that) I hope he settles down and gains weight and confidence. Will you be able to rehome him?

As for the photos - Sarah's said exactly what I was thinking. Pp the eyes, (if you wish - I think they're ok as they are) but otherwise the original is spot on.

Give him a big cuddle from me, :hug:
Jean

Shorty

31-01-2010, 22:57

Jean, most definatley, he'll fly out! They'll obv not have him up for adoption until he puts on weight. It's a non destruct rescue, the dogs will all get homes eventually, if not, the rescue is their home. I wouldn't be there with any other policy - or any other rescue for that matter. And unfortunatley emaciated dogs are all too often seen - just never before have they been hand-ins, always strays. It's just an utter disgrace to have come directly from a home in the state he's in :(

I reckon a month, max, down the line and he'll be gone. I mean Irish Setters as a rule are very rare in rescue - and the rescue I volunteer for are very small and old fashioned[in that they're not popular and known much] and tend to be the last rescue you'd think'd have the 'rare' to turn up in rescue breeds, but atm we have the setter and the Bischon[which are actually popular in rescue the last year or so] we just rehomed a Sharpei, too. Sign o' the times unfortunatley :-/

Shorty

06-02-2010, 17:13

Not been a good week photography wise for me. I'm really low and disappointed. Went over to a friends yesterday to help her socialise her dog who needs new visitors and brought my camera - although I arrived once it was getting dark so wasn't easy for pics, she was overall fine with me, but was scared of the camera quite a lot. So no pics came out AT all well, too high an ISO, still not enough light and one scared looking dog.
HoweverI went to dog training today - as I usually do on a Saturday with one of the rescue dogs and a friend/volunteer also goes with her dog who came to the rescue as a pup 5years ago. He's a stunning dog.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4024/4345838224_6f2187be7a.jpghttp://farm5.static.flickr.com/4045/4335365366_d596e65103.jpg

Originals will be up later.
:( week for me today

So a bad week, so I'm :( - Will try and catch up with all your threads an all, really need to, so sorry guys :hug:

jeangenie

09-02-2010, 22:16

Sorry you're having such a lousy week, Shorty, and sometimes conditions are just beyond your control - including a dog who doesn't like the camera (I've got one like that, although his brother is a right little poser!) Have a :hug: from me. :)

But tbh, that photo has something special. It's a sort of 3-D effect and just leaps out of the screen. I half expected him to lick my face. :D

It will be interesting to see the original - I love the way you're doing this with 'original' and 'post pping' versions. :)

And he's a gorgeous, handsome boy. :love:

Jean

mich66

10-02-2010, 07:40

I love how you process your photos.. great dog shots but am a big cat freak so am drawn towards them.. the triptych especially.. fabulous and a stunning puss too!

Shorty

10-02-2010, 07:41

Hey Jean, yet another busy week for me here, but I'm gonna peek out the window before I take the off lead dog out in the hope the weather is ok to go [others have to stay on lead, house is too dark for pics] to the park, so will try and get some shots for this week. Havn't picked my cam up since Sunday - trying to do low key shots of my cats again, and they just don't work out how I'd like. I can't seem to find a middle ground from 'too dark' to 'lighting the whole room'. Uff.

Have just posted the original, sorry so late....And told you it was a dull day!

I'm also back at my friend's house on Monday, weather pending, gonna help her with her dog again and will hopefully be able to go to park/in the garden and get some good shots...Her dog didn't like the camera at all inside, bless her. It's not her fault she's a very nervy girl and it meant me crawling around like a crab/moving around and it was just too much for her to feel settled which I completely understand.

Thanks Mich :)

jeangenie

10-02-2010, 07:51

He's still a handsome boy in the original, with beautiful eyes. :)

Your high contrast techniques are growing on me all the time, and while I think the original would be find with just, say, a tweak in Levels, the fully processed one does have a 'wham' factor. :thumbs:

Good luck with the trip to the park. I haven't got any cats to practise on by they must be 100 times harder than dogs. :)

Jean

mich66

10-02-2010, 07:59

cats are hard to photograph well.. I've got 3 and only one is happy for me to get near with the camera so she tends to be the main one I take..

the difference in the dog shots above is great, love the greens on your processed image, the dog stands out beautifully

Shorty

10-02-2010, 08:23

I luckily have one cat that's pretty easy to photograph....If lying/sitting. She doesn't exactly move. Another that is KINDA ok, if she's in the right room/position [i.e if there's no clutter around] but the other two are just hopeless, my favourite little baby girl in EVER single pic, she closes her eyes. She really hate the camera - doesn't help that we're trying to get prints of all the cats for the wall.
But yeah, I'm the same Mich, have loads of pics of one cat, and next to none of the others :(

I have to say, I cba to change it, but the vignetting on the image has got on my nerves right from the start. It's just a little too much.

SarahLee

10-02-2010, 17:36

Well IMO there's not much to be disappointed in for week 5.
I really like this, but for totally different reasons to the stretching cat and last week's Setter.

This week demonstrates how effective your PP technique is for animal shots. The original is OK, but not fantastic. The PP elevates it to something really special - and there's no shame in that at all.

I agree with Jean on the the 3-D feel - it's almost like one of those holographic images. Very effective :thumbs:

(But I do agree with you toning the vignette down a touch)

Lisa

13-02-2010, 09:25

Awwwww that poor doggie ( the red setter) Its a lovely pic of him but like its been said how can anyone treat them so bad :( I like the pp'ed version.

The other doggie is a cutie, he has lovely markings on his face. Sorry to hear you have had a bad week.

Shorty

14-02-2010, 00:54

Meant to say - update on Red Setter, he has a home offer, fingers crossed it all goes well with the checks. Also, he's slowly coming out of his shell, when in the off lead runs he's started doing little trots and playing, he's still not a happy bunny in kennels, but thats fair enough - on to a better life :love:

Another bad week this week though :( I'm gutted. But tomorrow I am doing a 'shoot' with a friend.

Shorty

14-02-2010, 19:28

As I said, this week was another bad one.
Thankfully just after it snowed - yep - :S the sun came out when I was out with one of my friend's dogs, doing a favour whilst she went in to have a c-section :love:
All I can say is, and I feel the general feeling will be the same. Thank **** for RAW shooting and PP!!! :eek:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4042/4356606723_40f2f54394.jpghttp://farm5.static.flickr.com/4067/4356606031_eca0da84a9.jpg

The light was awful, one minute one way/too light/too dark/no light. Which led to ISO issues etc.

Shorty

17-02-2010, 13:51

And this is one of a 'shoot' with my friend's dog, she's very nervy/fear aggressive, it is only the second ever time I have met her, but bless, she relaxed really well after a few mins, we decided to go down to the park for a better chance at piccies, it kept sleeting, and was THE worst overcast day ever, totally ruined the pic opportunity. But this is what I have come up with[will post Original tomorrow, am at a client's and not on my laptop.]

Meet Carla Princess Barky Knickers :love: - stunning, ain't she?
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4048/4360721754_d2f09913f4.jpg

Shorty

19-02-2010, 18:15

That bad day is turning into a bad few weeks, I am not happy with any single piece of work I'm producing atm :( other people are, but I am just not AT ALL happy about any of it :(

Here's a picture from today. Arty and Jet :)
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4044/4371151394_93e22a719f.jpghttp://farm5.static.flickr.com/4019/4370689474_fe94d29645.jpg

And Arty on his own.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2764/4371152812_91c95eb3c2.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2765/4370226027_cb84c5f146.jpg

Booger - Whyyyyy do I always only notice things that need cloning once I've uploaded them?? Grr, please ignor the OOF bit on Jet!

SarahLee

14-03-2010, 15:29

That bad day is turning into a bad few weeks, I am not happy with any single piece of work I'm producing atm :( other people are, but I am just not AT ALL happy about any of it :(

Hey it's not that bad is it????
I'd sort of lost track of this thread, but let's have some more updates.

I know myself that if I spot something I don't like in one of my shots it doesn't matter how many people tell me they like it, I'll never be happy.
But FWIW I think all of those are very good.

p.s. Carla Princess Barky Knickers really is absolutely gorgeous!!!!! :love:

jeangenie

17-03-2010, 21:51

Sorry, like Sarh, I lost track, too. Being without a computer for nearly 3 weeks didn't help, and sometimes life just gets in the way of photography. :D

I've just had another browse through your thread right from the beginning, and I can see the progress you were hoping for in your pictures. Remember it's been the worst time of the year with rubbish light, and you are taking really taxing subjects - and catching their different personalities in every one.

I love the ones of Barky Knickers, Art and Jet. The one of Art on his own is super, too - so full of personality. I had a go at trying to get my mini-terrors for the Play theme in Week 9 - nightmare! :lol:

I'll try and keep up from now on. :)

Jean

Shorty

18-03-2010, 22:29

Was just coming on here to apologise for my lack of appearance. I'm still very much togging. I am just *so* busy with work at the moment, it's mental. And only going to get more so by, well, starting tomorrow!
I have the consequent weeks for this on my flickr, just need to arrange, label and 'set' them up.

Apologees for my lack of appearance on this and your threads. Will try to get time to come here more often!

Shorty

20-03-2010, 17:28

My catch up.
will see if I get time for the originals - but none here for now
Week8:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2698/4382092895_23dc88824f.jpg
Week9:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4140/4893698200_20c7e37dc8.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2724/4401790447_df206a776a.jpg
Week10:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4096/4893130331_03e99a87d4.jpghttp://farm5.static.flickr.com/4042/4414076117_a6df9ae30e.jpg
Week11:
-As a link because there's now a 7 image limit now. Gah!
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4077/4893131447_5698fa9cf7.jpghttp://farm5.static.flickr.com/4004/4446811134_d32f9d1dd7.jpg

jgs001

23-03-2010, 14:07

A very nice set on here Leanne... Love the one of the dog in the river ;)... sorry I missed a few weeks..

jeangenie

23-03-2010, 15:48

Hi Leanne - you do sound busy! But I'm pleased to hear you're keeping up with your photography. :)

Week 8: I have to be honest, and say when I first looked at this my reaction was 'way too bright - she's gone too far this time', but as I went back and looked again, and again, it grew on me. It's definitely your style, in spades ;) but I can't really express what it is that appeals so much. I'll just settle for a big :thumbs: :)

Week 9: A terrific stylised treatment, and one of my favourite shots. The composition is really strong with a good use of negative space. I'd be really pleased if this were mine. :)

Week 10: This is such a contrast to the others and just as attractive, imo. :clap:

Week 11: I'm not quite so sure about this one, and I think it's because his/her beautiful eyes are partially hidden by fur, and there's not much you can do about that, apart from taking the clippers to him. Or a different angle maybe. :)

Jean

Shorty

06-04-2010, 22:20

Another flying visit, ever so sorry I'm neglecting your threads everyone. Got 5mins online before I head to bed. Hoping to get a few pics. Gutted, headed to the beach today with a friend I'm staying with and her dogs[and fosters] and forgot the camera!! :(
Thanks for your comments, and compliments :)

Week 12 - from the Beach at another friend's
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4076/4893131667_1f91c85961.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2794/4481177091_824cb7ef61.jpg

Week 13 - not my best, mid-chomp on a Bonio - at an event hence the lead etc
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2682/4498249842_a9e27e4db5.jpg

SarahLee

11-04-2010, 18:39

I love the dogs on the beach shot.
Shame you didn't get the one you were planning, but this is more than good enough as a stand-in ;)
Great job of catching them in motion.

Week 13 isn't bad either.
I really like the pose, but I'm not too keen on the PP on it though . . . a bit of a purple tinge to the tongue and ears.

Lisa

19-04-2010, 11:46

Fabby piccies still but i really love week 9!

Sorry i havent been about much, hopefully will catch up at some point myself!

jgs001

20-04-2010, 14:01

Clearly playing and having fun on the beach... it's well caught... Looks like it might be a bit sharp....

Fab pose, even if it is mid chomp in the second one...

Shorty

19-05-2010, 16:54

Sorry guys, am only getting busier. Literally have 5days free until August very sparsley spread out from a week ago, until August - so very busy.

I have been keeping up[not officially, but have been making a point to take a pic a week] So here I present you with my catchups, really hoping I can catch up with the rest of you at some point. Even if for a couple weeks.

Week 14[Flickr's has darkened this, it's actually a lot brighter!] -
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4121/4893131811_60a7983a76.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2709/4505911449_39eb903222.jpg

Week 15 -
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4080/4893132017_dc2dca5237.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2798/4532686056_b0dd9b1aee.jpg

Week 16 -
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4119/4893132225_0dd47b8b29.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3264/4558761486_7859091ca0.jpg

Week 17 -
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4114/4893132491_d4868a3a86.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3387/4622095282_6d5320b7d2.jpg

Week 18 -
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4122/4893727210_5d5f3ddd6d.jpghttp://farm5.static.flickr.com/4067/4583037737_9fae9c67a3.jpg

Week 19 -
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4074/4893132891_86014d3feb.jpghttp://farm5.static.flickr.com/4033/4609821166_75362a9d96.jpg

Shorty

18-06-2010, 14:52

Week 20 -
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4055/4705198679_db7551e228.jpg

Week 21 -
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4024/4703754648_bc9e3d5d24.jpg

Week 22 -
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/4711355743_0220c8e44d.jpg

Week 23 -
Missed this week - too much travelling. Gutted.

Week 24 -
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4034/4707755988_aa502108b5.jpg

SarahLee

21-06-2010, 20:30

:wave: hello there!!!!!

Good to see you catching up again - sounds like life / work is pretty impossible at the moment, but I'm glad that you're still going with this.

Loads of beautiful shots to choose from too.

My personal favourite is week 24.
Is this slightly different processing than usual? It looks a little bit softer (as in less harsh not out of focus) than your normal stuff, and that seems to have worked really well with his coat.

Week 15 "Hey! Where'd my ears go?" really made me laugh and it's nice to see another cat sneaking in there. If anything they're harder to shoot than dogs and you've done really well with this one.

Shorty

23-06-2010, 11:39

Hey, not really any different processing, no. I tend to use presets a lot and either tweek a bit or not, it's from the same group of presets as weeks 17, 18, 21 and 22. It's an 'autumn/vintage' kinda preset group.

That puddy tat is a dream to photograph, she's so much fun, I love going back there.

Thanks for commenting Sarah, and yep, work is just crazy busy. Who can so no free time until October?? :(

jgs001

23-06-2010, 14:55

Welcome back... sounds like murder... really busy... Good to see you're getting the shots, and some lovely ones in there... my fave has to be number 24, what a lovely image, but only just pipping that puddy tat...

Shorty

23-07-2010, 22:35

Still around, still getting pics. On a bit of a downer atm, creative mind isn't working into my fingers and ability seems to be lacking right now :(

stu_the_flat

24-07-2010, 15:31

Some really nice shots here, in a couple of them you have cropped the back off the animal. I'm not sure I like that, but other than that, its excellent work.

Stuart

jennyb

24-07-2010, 19:42

Hi, I seem to have missed the last shots that you posted. It is a lovely series but my favourite by far is number 24. It is absolutely gorgeous.

Sorry, to hear that you are on a bit of a downer. It seems to have happened to quite a few of us doing 52s. Hopefully, you will be back to your normal self again soon.

Jenny

Shorty

25-07-2010, 20:25

I thought my thread disappeared then, looked on pages 2 and 3 and thought lemme just check Page 1, haha, wasn't expecting replies.

Right, more of an update from me. The downer is varying, back on a downer again right now, and wondering if my camera is having a bit of an issue, seems to be front focusing, the last 3days it's completely rare even when doing sit stay shots, and the focus spot IS on the eyes of the dog, once picture is taken tis not, tis the nose in focus :-/ good job it's all been for fun recently, otherwise I'd have gone mental had it been for something I couldn't rectify! Right, anyway, on from week 25 now!....

Week 25 -
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4077/4738345997_3f57bcd101_z.jpg

Week 26 -
http://shortdogphotography.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/dsc_74711.jpg

Week 27 -
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4120/4771845281_e9de23f5ba_z.jpg

Week 28 -
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4079/4797216384_320d3da86c_z.jpg

Week 29 -
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4140/4820113829_3ce496b7d3_z.jpg

One of these days I'll catch up with your threads, SO sorry guys *hug*

Shorty

25-07-2010, 20:29

Btw, I will once I have the times try and get the originals of all these pics :)

jgs001

04-08-2010, 13:21

I can't help on the issue you're having with focus, I'm in a similar boat with my camera and I'm trying to get to the bottom of it... I think it's my 55-250... but can't be certain...

Anyway, they all look very good to me, but you know, that cat sprawled on it's back... lovely shot and the stand out of these for me.

Shorty

15-08-2010, 10:59

Thanks John! :-) that and the other cat pic are two new faves. Not biased that they're my own girls though. Of course! :lol:

Right, I have some time this afternoon whilst the dogs are asleep. So will update this thread for today and then try to start adding all the originals for comparisons! :)

Shorty

15-08-2010, 11:06

Week 30 -
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4082/4828294516_6df4239d04_z.jpg

Week 31 -
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4138/4850439544_c2f0559bfd_z.jpg

Week 32 - I do have a version of this without the red collar apparent, can't find it! Sorry!
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4094/4890630996_7fb534aff7_z.jpg

Week 33 -
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4095/4888063172_3f31155645_z.jpg

Shorty

15-08-2010, 11:51

looking at these is really making me go yikes at how bad some of the originals are!! :-O

Also, sorry for the links - there's a damn image limit - so they'll have to do, sorry!

dlh

15-08-2010, 18:36

I'd normally avoid pet threads like the plague but stumbled into this one by accident and boy am I glad I did. Some simply outstanding portraits on show here. Week 30's b&w cat is a stand out for me. I'll be back for more :clap:

Shorty

15-08-2010, 21:17

Wow, thank you. That is a really lovely compliment, glad you like :)

Thank you. I will go to bed with a smile now! :)
Wow.

Shorty

04-09-2010, 11:45

And another catch up.
[these next 2 weeks were bad weeks photography wise so they aren't the best shots..]
Week 34 -
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4118/4929201335_3dfdbc1800_z.jpg

Week 35 -
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4142/4934810136_d5a26cd26d_z.jpg

Week 36 -
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4113/4952197316_ece7798d57_z.jpg

dlh

05-09-2010, 17:57

I do love the eye contact you get with your doggy clients. It really helps bring across their personalities and it's easy to see why they're man's best friend.

The cockerel is great though. Lovely colours and detail :thumbs:

jgs001

08-09-2010, 13:20

Sorry, I missed a few...

The mono cat in week 30 is a belter, :clap:

Week 32 is nearly there, the eyes are so bright and blue against that white, I wonder what a close up ... wish I could remember what the term was for it, but you know, when you have very little shadow and mid tones in the image got it highkey... I'd be tempted to crop that to the right eye is on the edge of the frame at about the same point the left is on the top (if that makes sense).

The rest are all good, but those two leap out at me.

Shorty

08-09-2010, 17:50

I'm confused by your want for a crop. I'll also try high key without blowing the pic too bad, cheers! :)

jgs001

15-09-2010, 13:17

I was thinking something like this... not sure I've quite got it right, but.. no time...

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/play/4890630996_7fb534aff7_z.jpg

It's not quite right for what I was thinking... I think the angles are a little out for it. Hope that gives an idea of what I was thinking... let me know if you want me to remove it.

SarahLee

15-09-2010, 21:14

Good to see you catching up again !!!!

That random shot of the cockerel really stands out - and do you know what? I really like it. Good eye contact, lovely detail in the feathers and the DoF is extremely effective :thumbs:

I missed your earlier update, but I have to agree with John that week 27 is a real stunner :clap: And the others are all damn good too. The only one that I have a bit of a problem with is week 34. His (her?) left eye looks a bit oof and the bright tongue is a little odd.

I really hope that this is working out as a business for you - your results are going from strength to strength and I bet any pet owner would be thrilled with one of your pet portraits.

Shorty

30-09-2010, 21:45

Hey, will do a catch up sometime this week. Hectic made crazy again!

John, ah OK, it's kinda what I thought you meant. Will see if I can do something to make it work. Cheers.

Sarah - thank you :-)
I strangley like the Cockerel pic, too. The lighting was lovely.
Week34 - The eye shouldn't be OOF, can't quite see where you mean, but maybe it is - I'ma bit of a 'wide open' freak!
Yep - I had real issues with that tongue, for some reason it's bright n light and so wrong for the pic, but I quite literally only took one other pic that week, and it sucked - so had to settle.

And thank you very much. It's working out-ish :/ but I'll get there eventually! Thank you

Shorty

14-10-2010, 11:56

I have been way too busy and unmotivated I sadly didn't pick up my camera for 3 weeks, so Weeks 37 and 38[if only this was a 'normal' 52, Id include the pic of my bro but alas no pets!]

So, week 39 -
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4111/5043355505_18d094e3c0_z.jpg

Week 40 -
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4128/5061994282_6b7d14f7b3_z.jpg

Week 41 -
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4131/5078315157_a33ecdb728_z.jpg

jgs001

19-10-2010, 13:07

Sorry to hear you've been so busy and unmotivated... it's a pain when that happens...

I like #1 but that dog seems way too thin... it's wet ??

The other 2 work really well. The Sheriff and his Posse

Elli

19-10-2010, 16:02

What an ace thread! I would also usually skip over pet photos, but you've got such a good eye for these, they really are different to the norm.
Hmm, think I might have to go photo my pooch now! :thumbs:

dlh

19-10-2010, 19:11

Weeks 40 and 41 are brilliant. You may be lacking motivation but certainly haven't lost your mojo. The little guy reminds me of the moog :D

Shorty

20-10-2010, 21:39

Cheers guys :-) nice to hear my lack of motivation isn't showing. Really is getting me down right now. :@

John, most definatley not too thin at all, it's just the angle...She's a puppy and very very good weight for a Deerhound puppy at that[they're notorious as a breed for being very skinny until 3, when they mature and finally fill out!]
Only pic I've got of her that remotley shows her body..But really, she's far from fat, and far from skinny, really is what they'd call 'perfickt' - sorry tis not the best pic for showing.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4131/5095701029_b0a9ddcfff_z.jpg

jgs001

26-10-2010, 11:20

Makes sense, and the lens and position makes the head seem bigger too I guess. As long as all is fine ;)

Shorty

31-10-2010, 14:41

Week 42 -
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1397/5131564909_3a66c13fb3_z.jpg
A girly at a grooming parlour that I did some pics for. First time I'd used flash almost ever, certainly for anything paid!

Had a tough time choosing which pic to use for this week - in a good way for once. But think I'll use this one :)
Week 43 -
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4005/5127926501_ccffb14fbe_z.jpg

Shorty

16-11-2010, 11:15

Week 44 - I didnt know what to choose for this week's, so if you wanna take a look at more pictures from the session you can see them here: http://shortdogphotography.co.uk/blog/?p=568
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4111/5181072965_6e4d583f09_z.jpg

Week 45
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4147/5179022545_9f2fc656c0_z.jpg

SarahLee

16-11-2010, 20:44

:eek: Been so long since I last looked in here, sorry!

I like all of these, but week 41 . . . Wow!!!!!! I'm speechless with that one. It's quite possibly one of the best dog photos that I've seen. I really hope you show that one prominently on the front of your website.

Sorry to hear that you're not motivated, but it really isn't showing in any of your shots.

Shorty

16-11-2010, 22:01

Thank you Sarah, means a lot to hear. I'm hoping to kick the lack of motivation and general down-ness on my work this week. I have a shoot where I'm going to try, if I remember, to shoot a little differently - and another where I'm meeting up with another pet photographer in the hope we can learn a few tips off eachother/see how soeone else works. Should be interesting.

That Week 41 is indeed on my frontpage of my website, granted it's in a slideshow - but it's there nonetheless(web designer is the one with the control over the order, and what pics are/have gone where, sadly) but thank you very much for the compliment :)

I keep meaning to go through everyone else's threads - I *will* get round to it, promise!

jgs001

19-11-2010, 13:03

Very good Leanne. 42, excellent use of flash. 43, very jaunty, bang on focus too. 44 love it, looks like a small blown spot on the top of it's head, but it's not distracting. 45, this is the one I least like, the detail looks good as do the lines and pose, just not sure the processing works for me.

Shorty

30-11-2010, 19:11

There is not a single blown pic in that picture, I'm rather paranoid about blown bits, which is why I know :lol: it might be on the brink, but it isn't actuall blown.

I too don't like 45, but I needed an entry and it's all I had to work with.

Shorty

09-12-2010, 19:23

Almost at the end of the year! Wow. Right.

Week 46! (I don't like the B+W conversion but I cba to load up LR have my computer freeze 15times just to export the colour version...To see the colour version - take a look at http://shortdogphotography.co.uk/blog/?p=603)
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5289/5235990212_a8932e626a_z.jpg

Week 47
http://shortdogphotography.co.uk/pictures/DSC_4230.jpg

Week 48 Was a reallly tough choice, but posted this one cos it's not the 'norm' from me.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5290/5226328119_9a4b156269_z.jpg

Week 49
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5007/5247428020_b2c4cbc1a9_z.jpg

jgs001

14-12-2010, 11:34

Sorry Leanne, must be my laptop monitor ;)...

Wk 46... just been having a look through the blog post... lots of lovely shots. I like the poses... just not sure it works so well in B&W compared to the others in colour...

Wk47... The processing really suits, and I like the effect (on snow ??)...

Wk48... That is different for you.. looks like a really tricky exposure. I'm sort of torn... I can't make up my mind on it... I'll come back later..

Wk49... That one looks very sad... very clear and sharp though, and I think the processing suits the image.

Shorty

22-12-2010, 10:41

i'm sure it isn't your monitor will double check he pic. didn't mean it in a rude way, sorry.

46, yeah I initially went oooh B+W, nice. Looked at it an hour after the blog post and was sick/bored of it already!

Yep, snow :D

What is it you do/don't like about 48, will try to rectify in a reshoot

He wasn't sad, haha, bless him. I have *no* idea what he doing, he was chewing that toy and then went all stalkerish at something in the distance. Odd boy (what I love to pieces!)

Shorty

30-12-2010, 15:47

Week 50
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5281/5306450625_880bf612f2_o.jpg
Week 51
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5088/5296583870_56dec858b2_o.jpg
Week 52(not anything special about this shot, but wanted to end on something that sort of 'finished' taken today )
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5161/5307040810_28d9c48f63_o.jpg
Thank you all very much for popping by and looking at my project! :) It's been really nice. And I hope you all had a fab 2010, and have a fab 2011! :)

Elli

30-12-2010, 16:12

Well done Shorty, I've really enjoyed following this thread, some excellent work here!
I love 51, that sums up the season nicely, and 52 definately has the right feel for the ending.
So what's in store for us next year? - lol!

(If you're ever in Lincolnshire for a holiday, let me know, would love to let you loose on my russell!)