Black & White 5 Day Challenge: Day 1

Simple Things

"Marley taught me about living each day with unbridled exuberance and joy, about seizing the moment and following your heart.  He taught me to appreciate the simple things - a walk in the woods, a fresh snowfall, a nap in the shaft of winter sunlight". 

~ John Grogan

I am embarking on a week long quest to improve my black and white photography. I am such a huge fan of it but rarely like my own attempts. So this week I am setting out to get a better understanding of how best to go about this! 

Meet Calvin, the sweetest Cavalier from Utah - one of Becky's first nephews.  I loved this photo in colour but was surprised how much more I love it in B&W. Without colour I find I am really drawn to the dog's face and his pure expression of love and enjoyment! To me the bond of this pair is evident and B&W only helps to convey that message more.  
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Black & White 5 Day Challenge
Day 1:  Soft focus conversion with a mocha tint

UnBEElievable

So picture a hot summer's night. The golden hour is just beginning. The dog's are up to their necks in clover so really do not want to pay attention to me. Seriously they think I plopped them in a giant salad bowl just so they can eat.

It takes a brave woman to lie on the grass [and who knows what else is there] at the park frequented by a zillion pooches.

I'm on my tummy shouting "cookie, treat" anything to get their attention. Then I roll over... yup right onto a bumble bee. Man that hurt! All for the shot right?! Well worth it though to stop and take in the gorgeous golden hour casting it's glow on the clover field, capturing another fond memory of my girls being their naughty selfs - simple "finds" that make my days :)

QUEEN BEE

I am no ordinary bee.
I’m royalty, a queen, you see!
I don’t just raise a family – I rule a whole society!
Each day I lay two thousand eggs.
Believe me – that’s tough on the legs!
My doting daughters feed my belly,
And I was raised on royal jelly.
My princely sons are known as drones – Not one of those boys ever phones!
When it’s too crammed, then I take wing.
With such a life – who needs a king?
~ Author Unknown

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Joining the fun at Camera Critters, Kim Klassen's Friday Finds and 12 Months For Dogs

100 Dog Strangers ~ Fall Finds!

I have now photographed 25 dogs for my series "100 Dog Strangers". I think the hardest part is I am photographing dogs on the move sometimes without their owners knowledge. Part of the fun is the fact the captures are quick so there is not much time to compose or change camera settings - it sure is challenging!

Earlier in the fall we hiked down to the lake at Darlington Park. Along the way we met a young Labrador/German Shepherd mix bouncing along the gravel trails with his owner. He had a quick step and did not make my job easy to capture his photograph.

Fact 21 About Me
[Part of the "30 Things About Me" Series]

Back in my 20's I owned a Doberman. He was not a popular addition to our family. Gucci was found at a horse show in Quebec. My sister thought is would be a great idea to take my winnings from the Hunter's Classic and buy this puppy. Problem was we were on the road for the next 3 weeks so picking up a dog along the way was not a very well thought out plan! Then there was the problem of telling our parents when we got home. Suffice to say they were not happy nor was our 13 year old Lab Cinder. The puppy was a bit too much energy for her as she was going blind. This Doberman I met along the path might have been a mix or perhaps he was just unusually tall. We found him coming out of the dog park at Greenwood Conservation in early October.

Farther down the path was Duffins Creek, and here we spotted a thirsty Bernese Mountain Dog. I think the owners were very brave or this guy was extremely well trained, because dead salmon was everywhere. I made my get away before he decided to come greet me and shake off!

I do not know anyone else doing a 100 Dog Stranger series - let me know if you are or if you know of someone else doing it. I got the idea after seeing a FlickR group for 100 Strangers - they have over 9,000 members who are braver than me doing street photography of  people they find interesting. Some silently take photos, others talk to them first to get a feel of who they are before asking to photograph them. If you are braver than me, you might want to look over the group. For now I am more comfortable with the dogs - they know what a camera is and eagerly stop and pose!
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Adding to my

100 Dog Strangers Series

The Canine version of "100 Strangers".

A photographic record of all the wonderful dogs I meet in my travels.

 Began in 2012 and ending... TBD.

Participatig in: Little Things Thursday

Romping in the Fall Leaves

Every year we all wait for that perfect fall day - the one where the leaves are glowing, the sun splatter the ground and the hard part - we have free time to get out there! This was the day!

Meet Kosmos & Faith; two very good friends we have known a long time. I hadn't seen them in a very long time and let me tell you, I got a kick that they still remembered me. Kosmo especially was just dancing with full butt wags to greet me. It's a nice feeling.

Faith just had a huge grin on her face. Could be the fresh dehydrated sweet potatoes I had stowed in my bag.
I have to tell you, photographing a light coloured dog was half the challenge I am usually faced with when photographing my own dark doggies.
  Ear envy! Look at those ears - of all the Cavaliers I know, Faith takes the prize for longest ears. Till we meet up next time guys!
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Oct 25 Red/Snapshot

Serious Business

1. Big job today - my person is sick. Hard work this Comfort Spaniel stuff.

2. What kind of Mother leaps at the opportunity to take their child's photograph while they are suffering from a migraine? Well a better one, than the one who actually posts it online I guess! Becky looked so thoughtful trying to will my daughter to feel better, I just couldn't resist grabbing my camera.

3. Time and again, dogs demonstrate their ability to empathize. They comfort family and even strangers in need of comfort never expecting much in return. Cavaliers are noted to be especially good at this task and excel as working Therapy Dogs.  

4. Cavaliers have comforted and owned a few celebrities throughout the years:

Ronald Reagan, Jennifer Love Hewitt , Liv Tyler, Diane Sawyer, Courtney Cox and Davic Arquette, Jerry O'Connell, Amanda Byrnes, Mischa Barton, Koda Kumi,  Terri Hatcher, Jon Favreaum Sylvester Stallone, Claire Danes, Jerry O'Connell, Brittany Murphy, Kirk Douglas, Michael J Fox, Emma Bunton, Seth Rogan

5. This is my first try at using a "Film Grain" overlay. Usually you see that technique on black and white photos, but I really like the mood it gives these photos.

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Participating in: Random 5 Friday

100 Dog Strangers ~ Irish Wolfhound

Thank you to Kim Klassen for her texture "Unleashed" - could it be named anything more appropriate for this photograph!

I found this dog in June at Woofstock in Toronto. If you don't know what that is, it is a street festival for humans and their dogs. 1,000's of dogs walk the streets shopping, frolick in the water fountains and share ice-cream cones with their owners. Not sure what I am talking about - here is a video I took in 2009!



I have seen about 3 Irish Wolfhounds in my life - all in the last 4 years. There is a good chance I just keep running into the same dog because they are a rare breed. There is one Irish Wolfhound always competing at the Purina Nationals during the Obedience and Rally trials.

During Woofstock many photographers have an outdoor studio set up. I just happened to be walking by and quickly took my shot using my 50mm. I really love the profile so

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Adding to my

100 Dog Strangers Series

The Canine version of  "100 Strangers".

A photographic record of all the wonderful dogs I meet in my travels. 

Began in 2012 and ending... TBD.

Participating in: Textured Tuesday, Sweet Shot Tuesday, and Camera Critters.
Visit the Irish Wolfhound Club of Canada

Patrick the Pembroke Corgi

Look at those cute bat ears! Meet Patrick, the most polite dog you will ever meet! OK so "Polite" is an odd way to talk about a dog but if you lived with Kodee and Becky - well, you'd get where I am coming from! My girls are a tad errr.... spoiled perhaps, thereby a smidgen um... demanding! No one to blame here except me! I come with experience; I made this same mistake with my daughters - right girls?! What can I say, I'm easily manipulated by cute faces.

Patrick is a 5 year old Pembroke Corgi. He has been staying with my daughter for the last few weeks. For the last few months she has been dog sitting for friends. Not only does this help them out, but it also helps her. She is testing the waters to see how a dog would fit into her daily life at this time - a good reality test.

Having a dog obsessive Mother who rattles on not just about "Responsible Breeders" but also about "Responsible Dog Ownership" must have sunk in a little I am thinking. Who knew - she does hear a bit of what I say after all! 

Patrick is a Red and White Corgi but you can also get a Sable (red and white with a bit of black ticking) or a Tri colour (black, white and red). I keep reading they are a "big dog in a small package" and having owned labs can see that. They are very laid back and confident yet still small enough to want to crawl right up beside you for a cuddle.

Oh and as for my daughter - do I think she will be getting a dog soon? Oh ya... and it might just look like "THIS" 

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Adding to my

100 Dog Strangers Series

The Canine version of  "100 Strangers".

A photographic record of all the wonderful dogs I meet in my travels. 

Began in 2012 and ending... TBD.

Participating in: Camera Critters,  Daily Dog Challenge, 100 Dog Strangers

A Splash'n Good Time

WEEKLY TOP SHOT

The Most Affectionate Creature In the World Is a Wet Dog ~ Ambrose Bierce

WEEKLY TOP SHOT ~ SECOND CHOICE

Long weekends and swimming go hand in hand and these pooches, do not intend to be left out!

Obsessive is not always a bad thing is it?



Fetch! More Fetch! Please?

Snap! Got it! Be right there!

How are your dog's off leash park manners? This particular park can get a little overwhelming at times. Loads of big dogs, many of which err on the side of being very driven and in some cases a bit reactive. I have seen a few scraps here.



I am personally not a fan of off leash parks and opt to leave my own dogs at home but I do love to visit this one park a few times a year to photograph the action.

Finders Keepers!

Hardly!



Just waiting for the right moment to make my move...
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Adding to my

100 Dog Strangers Series

The Canine version of  "100 Strangers".

A photographic record of all the wonderful dogs I meet in my travels. 

Began in 2012 and ending... TBD.

Participating in; Weekly Top Shot,  Camera Critters and 100 Dog Strangers

Call Me Kismet

Call Me

Fate

Destiny

Kismet

The super powerful Kismet has just sprouted these past few weeks! Kismet may be tiny but she is a very vocal, demanding Princess that makes sure her court pays heed!

The name Kismet comes from a character that appeared in DC Superman Comics. Kismet existed between dark and light, illuminating the pathways. Kismet offers people the choice between good and evil in the Superman story line, so listen up when she barks.

On that note, I'd say this little spitball hunter life will be quite an adventure.

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I am participating in the FlickR base group

"The Daily Dog Challenge" Prompt #300 is "Adventure"

With a spunky attitude, named after a Super Hero I think Kismet grasp onto all the adventures she can.

Also joining in at: Sweet Shot Tuesday

Live Strong ~ Live Long

A great day visiting our Cavalier friends! I left Kodee and Becky at home as I was supposed to be sewing Cooling and Drying Coats for the dogs. Many of my friends are fellow Cavalier owners, so it wasn't long before I ventured to the yard for a bit of playtime, photography fun and a moment to steal a few nose kisses!



Audrey is such an athletic girl! She can turn on a dime in a split second to revel Zoey for the ball first.
[This photo is also my submission at the "Daily Dog Challenge" #205. 5/23 "Off Centered"]



Cavaliers are prone to easy weight gain and overweight dogs are not enjoying life. Zoey is a good friend's dog still staying trim and fit at 5.5!



As with all Spaniels, Cavaliers have a natural instinct to hunt. I wish the Robin luck Audrey is stalking!
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Linking up with; Camera Critters, Fabulous Friday
Also, if you like to photograph dogs and have a FlickR account join us at the "Daily Dog Challenge"

A Very Special Genius

No one listens to me more carefully than my dogs. Most of the time I think of that as a very special bond. Then again.. hopefully there is a person or two that find my thoughts as interesting as my dogs! 

Becky has been tweaking her listening skills as we work on Rally Obedience together. It is a great  sport where owner and dog must work in unison to skillfully perform obedience exercises in a sequence. Becky intently listens to me and she also takes cues from the most subtle of body movements. Her expression says it all, she loves to please me and wags with her whole body from course start to finish. I can't help it, when she endearingly looks at me with her big, brown eyes she sometimes gets rewarded a little too often.

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Sharing with "Textured Tuesday"

This week the theme at Kim Klassne's Cafe is "Two Textured Edition".
My photograph incorporates "Little Things" and "Cherished". 

It's A Gift. Really.

Really all dog breeds succeed as the best companions!

Kodee would rather hear the clicker in rally training than the camera click today.

Pft! Click a camera, clicker training - as long as a treat follows I'm there folks!

This post is part of a "Meme". 
Visit Camera Critters for more wonderful photographs.

Dog Gone It! Bad Hair Day

When I have a rough week, I need to remind myself "Life is a journey, not a fairy tale".
After all, have you read what really was going on with all those Princesses!
{ 10 Gruesome Fairy Tale Origins }
Joining in "Simple As That" and  "Favourite Photo Monday"    

Cavaliers Gone Vintage

I decided it was time I tried my hand at using a textured background. I spent a long time looking for one that "jumped" out at me. Then I saw it. This perfect vintage, lettered-styled texture on FlickR. I immediately  knew it was going to be used on a photograph of my Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. The old world feel, made it a match well suited to a breed whose heritage dates back to the 13th century. 

After creating my little masterpieces, I found the "Poetic Winter Photo Challenge". I'm pretty excited as it starts today and this week's theme happens to be "Solitude". I think my photos lend well to that - especially Becky who is giving me the evil eye because the camera has my attention. It is interesting, how the same background takes on a cooler look with Kodee. You can feel her solitude on a chilly, winter day. 

Then I discovered, it's my Lucky Friday, as participants of the "Poetic Winter Challenge" will be given a free textured background. Perfect timing - and seriously, I had no idea when edited my photographs!

Thank you to the generosity of the Angela Wolf - better known as "Joes Sistah" for permitting free use of her textured background today. Angela allows free non-commercial use of her designs and would like a credit link back to her FlickR account. Take a minute and go view Angela's use of texture on her photographs. Trust, me they are breathtaking - a must see! 

Visit Flickriver ~ Angela Wolf

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Sharing With;

Camera Critters | Fabulous Friday | Poetic Winter Photo Challenge | Textured Tuesday

Focus52: Silly

Focus52: Week 13 ~ Prompt "Silly"

Kodee exemplifies a first born; she is a bit pushy, must be first and wants centre stage. Today was no exception. I threw 2 balls; one for Kodee and one for Becky. Miss Selfish here wanted to ensure she was the only one in the game. It's OK, Becky was preoccupied eating up my garden... wait... HEY BECKY!

A fitting quote for this RARE weekend the Toronto Blue Jays (baseball) won the season opener game.