Pet Photo Tips for Amateurs: Point and Click!

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

Simpler Equipment
Can Still Net Good Results

For those of you who prefer to take your photos with easy, point and click cameras, here are a few simple tips to help you take better shots:

·  Natural light always gives the best results.

·  Consider a contrasting background to your subject's color and texture.

·  Watch for unwanted objects in the background. Reposition your pet for a pleasant, contrasting background.

·  Have some fun with themed items for your photo set--any suitably-themed props you may have available.

Borrow colors for your theming, using bandanas, hair ribbons, Tshirts, collars and other props.

·  Shoot with primary lighting behind you, if you're not outdoors.

·  Moving subjects generally blur in photos. Set your shutter speed accordingly when shooting pics of pets.

·  Use a photo editing program to remove red-eye, but generally you get your best pics when using little editing, and more pre-planning of your subject and background.

·  Flash photography often produces green-eye in many pet photos. This is tough to fix, so shoot for pics that don't have your pet looking directly into the camera. 

Candid shots are often best for pets that don't pose well.

·  Try shooting with your flash off, using a night setting, and see if you get better results.

·  Use a squeaky toy or treat to get your dog to look in the desired direction.

·  If you have a black pet, try close up shots.

·  Experiment with your macro setting for close ups.

·  Close ups and portrait shots will display best in the SuperDogSunday™ Blog Hop's thumbnail photos for the Photo Contest.


We hope to see you Sunday, Feburary 5, when we open at 8 AM EST. The Blog Hop will remain open through 9 PM EST and photo contest winners will be announced on Monday, February 6. Photo Contest rules are below. More on prizes for each winner (Yes; there are a bunch!) as we move closer to game day.

Every party has its rules to protect privacy and keep the dogs in line:

1. Only photos of dogs will be accepted; no humans please.
2. Limit one entry per dog.
3. Readers from the US and Canada, with the exception of Quebec, may participate. Only submissions from these areas can be accepted. This offer is void wherever it is prohibited.
4. Prize winners from Canada will receive a substitute prize of our choice for any dog treats or edible items won during the contest. This is due to regulations with regard to shipping of pet food over the border.
5. Large images must be submitted to assure our ability to share photos in a slideshow: 400 px please.
6. By submitting your photo, you agree that the photo was taken by you and is owned by you. No professional images can be accepted for copyright reasons. Please read additional details at our Giveaway and Contest Rules page. Your dog's photo will be identified by his name. If there are duplicate names, your initials will be included with his name as an identifier (Ex: c.b.'s Tanner)
7. Bloggers may publish their photos and link up to the blog hop, to display their photos on our blogs at Dogtipper and All Things Dog Blog. Code will be available for you to share the linky on your own site as well, allowing you to enter to win Blogger participation prizes.
8. All entries by non-bloggers must be emailed to EventBarkers@gmail.com. If your submission is received by All Things Dog Blog or Dogtipper, and you have clearly identified the photo as being for Super Dog Sunday™, we will forward it to EventBarkers@gmail.com for publication in the Photo Contest. We take not responsibility for photos that do not make it into the contest, as errors in email addresses can occur without our knowledge.
9. Please include your name for correspondence and your dog's name in your submission so that we may identify Fido's name on our blogs. Announcement of winners will be by dogs' names.
10. Our judges' selection decisions are final. Viewers will have the opportunity to vote with "thumbs up" in one category to be announced later. The remainder will be judged by our panel of photo and dog enthusiasts.
11. Winners will be announced on Monday, February 6, 2012. Each winner will also be emailed or DM'd on Twitter and must respond with their address and phone number for shipping purposes.
12. In those cases where prizes must be custom-fitted, or a choice is offered, you will need to provide this information promptly in order to receive your prize from the provider. While we attempt to protect your privacy, your address for shipping from these prize providers is a necessary part of the acquisition of the prize. Please do not enter if you cannot provide an address for shipping.

Good luck!

Weekly Wag #5: Disc Dogging for You and Bowser

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

© Christie Moser
Chris Engel's Bandit Flies

A friend of mine from agility is an avid rescuer, agility competitor, trainer and all-around dog enthusiast. For quite a while I listed her rescues in my sidebar. During that time an Aussie turned up that was quickly adopted after appearing in my sidebar. I have no idea if my blog was responsible, but Chris Engel is now Kota's owner, and Kota is a star in the disc dog world.

© Kristie Moser
Kota Learned Fast

Today's challenge, or Weekly Wag, is to give your dog a chance at tackling a flying disc. I'll share a few tips that we tried with Tanner. He's no Kota, but he can catch short throws and enjoys the chase and the return. He just doesn't have the "ups" required to be a Michael Jordan in the disc dog world. That's okay! This Saturday weekly is all about bonding, not spectacular performance.


Here are a ideas to get you started:

• Start by knowing your dogs motivation (food, affection, a special toy) and having a solid recall. 
• Practice in a safe area. I learned quickly that the Frisbee does not always go where I intend it to. What can I say? I throw like a girl :)
• When Fido is watching you from a few feet away, gently toss a disc such that it will not hit him if he is completely surprised by it.
• Reward him for any effort to move toward it.
• Gradually increase your distance as he begins to learn to snag the disc in the air, making sure he gets plenty of attention for every effort.
• Keep your practice sessions short so Fido does not burn out. Fifteen minutes per session of trying to catch a plastic plate may be all that is required.
• Be sure to enjoy some one-on-one time afterwards. Rub his belly. Tell him what a good boy he is. Make this a special time for the two of you that is a regular habit and he will begin to connect the appearance of the disc with his time alone with you. That's when real progress will appear.

If you'd like to learn more, read my 5-part guest series by disc dog competitor Chris Engel:

Frisbee Dog 101: Part I

Part II: Dog Selection for Frisbee Dog Enthusiasts

Part III: Getting Your Dog Ready to Become a "Disc Dog"

Part IV: Frisbee Training Begins..

Frisbee Choices for Your Dog: Part V

Check out Chris and Bandit on YouTube for some great motivation

Need a disc and a cap to keep the sun out of your eyes? I'm giving away a Dog Park Kit in my sidebar, so drop by and check it out. You may be the lucky winner. If you enjoy this activity, be sure to leave a comment including any tips you learn along the way. 


Thanks for visiting. I hope to see you next week at the Weekly Wag, your bonding day with Bowser. If you'd like to make these activities a regular part of your special dog time, sign up for our quarterly rewards program by clicking on the Weekly Wag button. Be sure to leave a comment there and return regularly to tell us what you're enjoying the most. See you next week.

PS--Have you heard about the Red Carpet Cat? The Tiniest Tiger will be tweeting from the Academy Awards, and Dogtipper is lucky enough to join them with a Twitter Party to post their pics with the stars and give away some Tiniest Tiger Hipster bags. Sounds like fun--January 24th.

Today's post is a part of the Saturday Pet Blogger hop, co-hosted by Confessions of the Plume, Two Little Cavaliers and Life with Dogs. You are welcome to link up here, or visit their sites to read their rules for participation. Enjoy your hopping:

Dog Food Changes: Grain Free Organix Wins Over Our First Trial Group

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

© T.S. reader copyright on file
Reader Enthusiasm is Encouraging

© C.M. reader copyright
YoYo, Vibrantly Healthy!

It's hard not to oooo and ahhh at cute little Wicket, huh? I'm sure the folks at Castor and Pollux Pet, who make Organix Grain Free food were happy to see some of the cute photos you guys submitted. I know a few of you are still figuring out how to harness technology to create these images, and I appreciate your challenges. 


I have to say I've been really proud--just beaming--about your open-mindedness about trying grain-free food for your dogs. When I started the challenge, I wasn't sure how many of you would take me up on it. After all, no grains may seem odd to some of us. Imagine life without bread!

© L.M. reader copyright
Benny

A lot of you seemed to realize that dogs did not evolve eating grain. It was added to their manufactured diet as a form of calories for energy, and a few other factors that probably are less important than the fact that Organix is predominantly made of organic ingredients. 


Speaking of calories for energy, did you notice the difference in how much your dog needs to eat? Compare the Feeding Guidelines on the back and side of the bag to those on the original Organix and you'll find that Grain-free Organix requires less food to provide the necessary calories and nutrients for good health. I suppose that explains the more compact deposits in my yard. What about you?

© A.C. reader copyright
Lola and Hunter Working It!

If you miss out on this giveaway, watch for another coming later next month. I'd like to give more of you an opportunity to take the Grain-free challenge. If you visit our giveaway post that lead to this winners' announcement, you'll see that the comments are all quite positive--great results and seamless transitions. Grain-free seems to agree with these owner's dogs, and I can say the same for Tanner and Oliver. 

© Carrie Boyko
Ready for Super Dog Sunday
Will You Be There?

Today's winners are: Tia S., Amy O., Misty W., Shiloh, Shelley P., Nancy W., Cheryl F, Rita S, Katie M, Claudia M, Rick W, and Colleen R. Watch your email for my notification, to be received from AllThingsDogBlog@gmail.com. If you don't see it by Sunday afternoon, please write to me with your address for mailing. NOTE: The coupons to be sent out have an expiration date of February 15, 2012. You'll need to identify your closest supplier quickly and be ready to pick up your food promptly. Finally, always follow the transition instructions for a new food, detailed at Castor and Pollux's site here.


Best wishes to all of you and thanks for following All Things Dog Blog.



Full disclosure:  There was no purchase necessary to win in this giveaway. I was provided coupons for free bags of Organix as a promotional courtesy, and was not compensated to give them away. Watch for more giveaways coming soon.

Fido's Freebie Friday Invites Listings of Pet Product Giveaways

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

Oops! Looks like the dogs were taking a bit of a cat nap and slept through our opening. We're here though, and as you can see, there is plenty to choose from if you're looking for giveaways.


Bloggers with pet product giveaways or pet lover prizes may link up below. Thanks for joining us. The hop will be open to linkups through midnight Friday. Enjoy!

Dog Toy Giveaway!

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

© Carrie Boyko
4 Dog Toys to Win!

Does Tanner look sad? Well, maybe that's because he knows I'm giving away these toys. He's a toy-motivated dog who loves nearly every toy he owns. My house looks like a childrens' daycare at the end of the day!


To win one of the toys below you must include your dog's breed/mix and weight or size in the Rafflecopter where required. I always fuss over assuring that prizes are appropriately sized so that no pup ever is in danger. Toys should be used with supervision so that you know your dog's play style and what toys are safe for him.


If you cannot see the Rafflecopter entry form below, please click on the post title to refresh and it should appear beneath the disclosure statement. Good luck. This giveaway will be open until midnight February 9. The winners will be announced on Friday evening, February 10, 2012. Best of luck to you all!






Full disclaimer: The toys in this giveaway are a combination of conference swag (free samples) and one item I purchased as a test of a website function. There is no purchase required to enter and US and Canadian entries will be accepted, with the exception of Quebec, where this giveaway is forbidden. I have not been compensated to give these toys away.

a Rafflecopter giveaway