Summary

My name is Christina McDonald.  I am a computer science major at Meredith College.  I was interested in this course (Photographing for the Web) because I feel that any experience I can get to strengthen my abilities in working with computers can only improve my work overall.  I know that I am not an artist and I will have to work with artists in the future.  Any way I can enhance my understanding of an artist's world will hopefully serve to make communication easier.  I have also come to see that I am capable of taking photographs in a pinch.  The most valuable part of this course for me has been seeing the way people of other mindsets interact with computers.  I take as many technology heavy classes in fields other than computer science because I am fascinated by the way most people use computers.  I realize most things seem very user-unfriendly and I actually enjoy showing people how to do things and observing how people approach things.
What I learned which I was not expecting to learn were things about myself as well as things about animals.  When I began this class I felt a bit left out because I got my first fuzzy pet about two years ago and everyone else seemed like they were such an animal person.  I didn't realize how my heart would melt when a cat I knew was killed, or how excited I would be when one found a home. 
Photography can help animal overpopulation by showing just how many animals are in the shelter as well as well as publicize the animals who still need homes.  A person who adopts a pet from the shelter isn't encouraging puppy mills or kitten mills to continue, which also contributes to animal overpopulation and is abusive. 

10 Images

Animal Overpopulation (when speaking in terms of domestic animals) is where there is a significantly higher number of pets as compared to homes which desire a pet.  It is painful for animals as well as humans.  I believe animal overpopulation is a problem when older cats who are sweet and deserve a forever home have to be put down because irresponsible owners don't spay their cat and it has a million kittens.  I saw this occur with Julip. The most visible sign of animal overpopulation is the massive wall of mewing kittens, the product of responsible owners. 
I don't feel that our society views animal overpopulation as a serious problem.  Besides The Price is Right reminding people to spay and neuter their pets, there isn't a lot of literature.  I've heard the complaint from individuals that they can't afford to spay or neuter their pet.  Though I may sound cold-heated, I really feel like the family shouldn't have a pet.  (They have 3, two female dogs and one male.)  I really feel that the biggest possible improvement to the overpopulation problem would be publicizing low-cost spay and neuter clinics.  I searched for a clinic in the Reidsville area and it was so difficult to find one I gave up.  I found one directory with many links to different sites but the sites were either impossible to navigate or just dead.  I realize it is a product of being spoiled by technology, but I don't know how to find low cost clinics without calling an animal shelter (which could feel intimidating.)

Help At The Shelter

Photography can have an impact at the shelter both by having cuter pictures on the website where most people browse before going to the shelter to look for a dog as well as expose more volunteers to the animals where volunteers can post the pictures they took in other venues than the Wake County website thus reaching a wider audience.  

Our artistic skills can be used to enhance the impact of the photographs on the official website by making it cuter.  In other venues our artistic skills can improve website layout both with aesthetics as well as functionality.  

Personally, I would consider programming an art form.  I also consider graphic design an art form.  I believe the shelter's website could be GREATLY improved with a search function on the critters by name.  It would also be great if it was possible to search with species AND age AND gender AND color.  Graphic design would also improve the website.  

This is Reba, a skittish cat who needed a bit of coaxing to come to the front of her kennel.  Without photography volunteers this photograph would be even lower quality.  (Truth be told I searched for the cat on the official website and Reba was missing.  I'll be waiting to see if her name was on the report.)

This is Reba after a bit of coaxing.  Having a good picture on the website is especially important for cats who are hesitant of strangers and noises.  Cats who rub against the edges of the kennels are more likely to be seen than cats who flop in the back and so these shier kitties need good images!

Valuable Lessons

What I have found most valuable about this course is an appreciation for volunteers who help with animals.  Previously I always thought it was more important to volunteer with people, and I always shied away from volunteering with animals because I always found the cause somehow less worthy.  I found it taxing when people would talk about helping animals because I felt they only cared because people were cute and thankful while people are a challenge to help.  (In my defense it is not easy to work in a soup kitchen and some of the individuals who come can be quite ... intimidating.)  Now that I'm volunteering at the shelter I realize the strength that shelter volunteers must have.  I checked up on what animals who are no longer at the shelter got adopted, and I found that 4 of my 10 animals had to be put down.  Saskia and Jonsey both got ill, I believe Saskia caught Pan Luke.  Tamara was put down because of her temperment, from what I saw she was really terrified of everyone.  While it saddens me that these cats met this fate, I can understand the shelter's decesion.  Julip was also put down, not because she was ill, and she had an amazing personality (she was actually very playful and played peek-a-boo with me during our photoshoot) but because she had been there a long time and space was needed for kittens.  Those kittens are there at least in part because people don't spay or neuter their pets.  We, as humans, put domesticated animals in the shelter because of our irresponsibility.  The critters who live in the shelter are not squirrels or bats who are still wild and, while they may have evolved through indirect human manipulation, we did not create these species.  These species do not depend on us.  

My feelings are a mixed bag about the course being online.  Had the course not been online, I would not have taken it.  However, having seen a few reactions to animals leaving the shelter and knowing the shock and grief I've experienced in this course I feel that a classroom where several individuals are experiencing these things (even if not for the first time) as well would be helpful simply as a means of support. 

I don't really know how to demonstrate this lesson in a photograph, and I don't believe that was the sort of answer expected of me so I'll add this.  I've gained courage in Photoshop and I don't mind experimenting now where I was afraid to before.  For instance, I'll try to color correct images.  I enjoy that I've learned how to sharpen and apply a blur to focus the eye.  I hope I find ways to apply these techniques later in life. 

This is Carol (53918).  This image was a little on the red side, so I changed the magenta/green to be just slightly more green.  This is the first picture I've worked with where I could see an incorrect tint.

Gaussian Blur

My favorite technique from this week is the forced depth of field. 

In images with a cluttered background the viewer's eye is drawn to the subject rather than to the really gross litterbox in the background.

New Critter Type

I was accompanied into the dog room and I took a few pictures of puppies.  I wasn't able to get in and cuddle the dogs, but there were some absolutely adorable faces I had to capture.  The biggest problem I had with dogs is that I can't help but want to play with them and give them attention.  The cats are easier for me to handle emotionally because cat's don't generally stand at the edge of their kennel with their tail wagging hoping for you to simply look at them.  Some cats are more personable, (for example Xavier is a handsome cat who purrs at me every time I'm hear him) but most don't beg for attention the same way. 

Amy - 53586

Andrea 53587

Critters No Longer In The Shelter

Julip - in shelter 5/11/11

Tamara - in shelter 5/15/11

Jeffery - in Shelter 5/2/11

Jonsey - in shelter 5/18/11

Moxy - in shelter 5/5/11

Pudge - in shelter 4/23/11

Saskia - in shelter 5/19/11

Morgan - in shelter 5/19/11

Strawberry - in shelter 5/23/11

Charlie - in shelter 5/11/11

Looking through the number of cats I photographed who are no longer at the shelter I strongly suspect many were not adopted.  In many cases I don't have the heart to ask if they found homes.

Responsible Pet Ownership

I believe that Responsible Pet Ownership means a commitment to love an animal and a commitment to care for an animal.  I believe that beyond feeding an animal and snuggling it the pet's medical needs MUST be addressed from spaying and neutering to vaccinations to a yearly checkup.  When I asked a shelter worker what responsible pet ownership was the response I got was feeding and playing with the animal, spaying or neutering it, and addressing the animals other needs.  A visitor had a less medical approach, she said she believed responsible pet ownership was meeting the needs of the animal and giving it love. 
I see many people who take on the responsibility of having a pet without the monetary or time to care for it.  The cat my family adopted did not have her needs met in either respect.  Her family had two small dogs as well as a small child.  When we took the cat to the doctor, she had to have all but two of her teeth pulled.  She gained about a pound after that, and she seems to be quite happy in our home.

If anyone is curious, Meowska is chewing on my glasses.  I don't know why, but she really loves to gum my glasses at the hinges and where they slip over my ears.  (No cats where harmed in the taking of the photo.

Owner Surrenders

One of our projects for this week was to record the reasons for pet surrender at the shelter.

Morgan 51108

The reason for this cat's surrender was because owner had an emergency with the owner's previous, senior, cat and simply couldn't take care of it. 

Pebbles 51944

Pebbles sheet listed several reasons for her surrender.   It stated she was originally a stray, does not get along with another pet, and that there were family/health issues.  The owner added that the cat may be able to coexist with canines if socialized.

Strawberry 53385

The owner surrender sheet stated that Strawberry did not get along with another pet.  Her sheet also added that the cat got along very well with other animals. 

An Updated Photo

Animal turn-over at the shelter is not as bad as I had expected before I took the class and began volunteering at the shelter.  I couldn't remember the names of the cats in a particular room from the shelter last week, but most of my "favorites" are gone.  I'm very glad that so many kitties have found homes in the past week!  I really didn't expect as many adoptions to take place as they have.  I am concerned about the growing number of kennels that need to be cleaned 5 times a day and a prohibition on cuddling in all of the cat rooms, though. 
Purrcy has been here the longest of the cats I've had the opportunity to get to know.  This is an updated picture of him.  He's a really sweet guy, and despite being a primarily black animal I really hope he finds a home soon.  I can't imagine why he hasn't found a proper home yet, he's a fairly social cat and even sticks his paws out of the kennel when people are around.  (At least he always does when I'm there.)  He isn't an iconic black cat like Sabrina the Teenage Witch had, and that might contribute to his lack of adoption.  His fur is a bit more wiry than other cats around, and I suppose people may be less compelled to choose him over another animal. 

Purrcy 52623

 

Self Critique

Image Strengths:
1) I removed a bit of dirt under the cat that detracted from the image, and after several attempts the fixed spot isn't blatantly obvious.
2) The a black cat lying on orange creates a contrast and may appeal to someone who is looking for a black cat because they have a love of Halloween and the macabre. 
3) The picture isn't so blurry the viewer can't tell the image is of a cat.

Areas of Improvement:
1) Despite being fairly playful, the cat didn't want to come to the front of the kennel (even with coaxing with a kitty treat) so the image was very dark.
2) Even with many picture attempts this image is the least blurred.  I really can't manage my camera at all.
3) The cat again isn't looking directly at the camera but rather at a point over the viewer's shoulder. 
4) Because the image was so dark to begin with the vignette that I added doesn't really flatter the image, especially since the black cat is in a dark-ish box.
5) After lightening them, the eyes look more washed-out than "bright."
6) The way her face is positioned (on the viewer's left) her whiskers make her cheek look funny.


I'm probably going to re-do her picture. 

Meta-data is data embedded in images and other file formats used for storing information pertinent to the creator, date created or the file itself.

Common examples of meta-data in images are:
Creator
Creation date
Resolution
Color depth(bit)
Location the picture/image was taken(GPS, computer name)

Less-common examples:
Color balance, luminance and contrast information
Indexing information(can be used for search optimization and names of the pets)
Anything else, including comments by the creator and/or editors


As far as uses in this class, meta-data can be used for comments such as the shelter and animals names as well as for indexing.

For my own personal use, indexing would be the most valuable part of the meta-data information. It could prove invaluable in case the file is renamed or modified in some way by someone other than I, the animals names and shelter information would be left in-tact.

Julip

This is Julip, a beautiful cat at the Wake County Animal Shelter.  After experiencing much annoyance trying to get a cat (read: diva) to look at the camera for a picture, I decided to try using the burst feature, which captures several images with a small delay between each.  Using this I had quite a success with Julip, who is an absolute sweetheart.  (We began our session with her playing peek-a-boo with me in the hole between the two parts to her kennel.)  This image was Photoshopped with a bit of advice and a few new tricks learned from my most amazing boyfriend. 

An improved photo

When I was at the shelter again today I was taking pictures of cats and one of the volunteers asked if I'd taken a picture of Streaker.  I'd noticed Streaker, an adorable female kitten who is defined as a tortoiseshell but looks like a calico to me.  (I really love calicos.)  I don't always pick up on social cues, so I wasn't sure if the volunteer thought a picture done for Streaker was exceptionally good, or if she was gently suggesting for me to take Streaker's picture.  The information sheet for Streaker had an indication that a photograph was taken for the cat previously, but without the internet I couldn't check the cat's picture.  Considering Streaker was in the shelter for 67 days, I decided I may as well "take a shot" (pun intended - aren't they all?). 

Streaker, female domestic short hair
Unidentified photographer
Wake County Animal Center: WakeGov.com
Date copied: 5/20/11

The photograph is actually quite stirring, with pleading eyes.  The shot is taken with a shallow depth of field so that the face is the focus of the photograph.  I'm fairly certain this was taken when Streaker was much younger (she has been in the shelter for more than two months and she's only eleven months old!)  Streaker's description said she is a little shy.  I suppose it may be a result of maturity, but I found Streaker to be quite inquisitive and friendly. 

This is my update of Streaker.  While she isn't looking toward the camera (inquisitive cats have a bad habit of looking at everything except the wiggling fingers in the blue glove) I feel the image captures her majesty.  she is a very tall cat, especially for her age, and her proportions remind me of Egyptian sculptures.  (Please don't remind cats they were revered in Ancient Egypt, they don't need any more ego!)  I feel this position also displays her coloring better than the original.  She has a bright white tummy which I find very appealing.  The placement of her white bits reminds me quite a bit of my own kitty, except my kitty has white legs as well as a pretty white tummy.  I brightened the ears, eyes, and nose in this image as well as adjust the colors and add a vignette. 

As a side note, as a result of taking this course I've started to notice vignettes.  I've seen them used on billboards as well as in commercials where the company name takes up the full screen for a few seconds. 

The Cost of Adopting Animals

The cost of adopting animals at the Wake County Animal Shelter is:

Dog - $45 (Surgery - $50)

Cat - $15 (Surgery - $30)

Rabbit - $20

The adoption fees include the pet's first series of shots (DA2PPV or FVRCP), a general dewormer, a heartworm test for dogs, a FIV/FELU test for cats, a topical flea and tick treatment, a microchip and a rabies vaccine. If the animal is under the age of four months at the time of adoption, it will be considered too young to receive its rabies vaccination.  (Quoted from http://www.wakegov.com/pets/shelter/fees.htm which has the prices for adoption of small and exotic animals as well.)

Currently there is an adopt one, get one free special on kittens at the shelter (I can understand why!) as well as a program Sweet Pea Time wrote about extensively, Senior Cats for Senior Laps.

I asked Amanda Walrad, the volunteer coordinator, why they don’t give homeless pets away for free and what the pros and cons of this would be.  Her answer was that the animals have expenses (such as everything listed above!) as well as reinforcing the fact that an animal is a responsibility and a financial commitment.  She admitted the negative side to this is that they can’t find a home for every animal.  Amanda added that they do release animals to rescue groups (50C3s) for free. 

I asked the same question to a very kind Ricardo Vega, who was at the shelter looking for a pet for his family.  He stated that he believes the shelter has a fee for adoption because it shows they expect a commitment from people for the animal and that it decreases the amount of pets they receive back at the shelter. 

I will post a picture tomorrow evening.  I had a camera malfunction today (batteries run out) and I feel it would be easier to represent the answers I received at home (where my own kitty lives) than here.

Life is too hectic!  Last night I was in tears as I realized I had to drop a class.  A history class that meets for three hours every day followed by a three hour public speaking class and four to five hours of homework between the two of them does not mix.  The public speaking class is gone (good riddance, the class structure was very bad for me) and I have time to catch up on my Art homework... yay.  There will be a *very* long shelter visit tomorrow.

Storm, male domestic short hair (Tabby - chocolate)
Unidentified photographer
Wake County Animal Center: WakeGov.com
Date copied: 5/18/11

I love the way this picture captures the many shades in Storm's fur.  I've stated before that I'm trying to focus on black animals and while Storm is not black his fur is dark enough that I imagine many of the difficulties in getting the expose correct for an animal with black fur would apply to Storm.  Storm's description said that in the right light because he is a tabby you can see his stripes.  The tabby stripes are displayed in this photo.  The neural background of the white kennel and a light green towel really focuses the eye on the dark color saturation.  I think the way the cat's ears and eyes are lighter also draw the eye to the face because they are framed twice, the opposite of how pictures are usually matted!  The shallow depth of field really draws attention to the animal's face as well.  The animal's description claims that he is sociable and friendly.  I feel the expression and position of the animal display that very well. 

First Shelter Visit Reflection

As we began orientation we ended up in the conference room which was doubling as a space to hold bottle-fed kittens. No one can resist the cuteness of a teeny tiny kitten. One of the staff was feeding her charges while we were told of our responsibilities. This is without a doubt the cutest picture I took today.

What you don't capture in this picture is the cute noises the kitten made when the bottle was pulled away (not out of malice) for a moment and the way the kitten pawed at the bottle.

What you don't capture in this picture is the cute noises the kitten made when the bottle was pulled away (not out of malice) for a moment and the way the kitten pawed at the bottle.

We went on a tour of the facility visiting the dog and cat rooms as well as peeking at the small animals room. The smell in the dog room was not as strong as I had anticipated as the cages were kept very clean. What I had not expected and what was the most overwhelming was a space without any noise-dampening features (which is understandable as they are usually difficult to clean) being packed with so many loud, large dogs. It was difficult to speak to my classmates and to hear the volunteer coordinator in the space. Most of the dogs looked like they were absolutely starved for attention, most jumping up against the side of the cage and wagging their tails when someone even glanced in the dog’s direction. 

The focus on this picture is awful, but the facial expression of the dog really touches me; he looks so lonely.

Another face of a dog simply begging for attention. I feel so bad to see them "behind bars."

The cat room was much quieter, though the smell was a bit more intense. Some of the cats looked wary of people, but most looked like they were as starved for attention as the dogs were. It looked like the cat cuddlers were starting as we got there, but when I went back to train and take a few pictures most of the cats were still eager for attention. Some of the cats housed were tiny kittens, but there were many older cats and quite a few black cats. We’ve been told that black animals don’t get adopted as often as any other color, and considering my love for black kitties I’ve decided I’m going to primarily photograph these cats. As for now I’m skipping kittens as they have greater inherent cute-appeal. 

The cats were begging to be played with, rubbing against the bars and trying to reach out their paws.

The cats were begging to be played with, rubbing against the bars and trying to reach out their paws.

I can only imagine how scared the animals are when they first arrive at the shelter and even after they've stayed a while. I don't imagine the animals have that much consistency with humans and by the looks of it they don't get enough attention. I've never seen cats look so eager for loving.

After our tour I stayed to get trained in photographing cats. I got pictures of four cats to work with for now, these images are not Photoshopped yet, only resized for ease of internet.

This is Pudge, my first victim. He is indeed a pudgy cat but so beautiful.

This is Pudge, my first victim. He is indeed a pudgy cat but so beautiful.

This is Purrcy, I love the tuft of white on his chest.

This is Purrcy, I love the tuft of white on his chest.

Jeffery.

Another picture of Jeffery, I can't decide if this picture is better because it shows his eyebrow or if he just looks sad.

Another picture of Jeffery, I can't decide if this picture is better because it shows his eyebrow or if he just looks sad.

I thought I was done for the day. I was actually getting ready to go home when this fellow looked at me with those eyes and I couldn't resist taking his picture. His name is Gregory and his eyes really do have both the teal and the light green in them.

Camera Pros and Cons

Sorry for the late post, yesterday was pretty amazing.  My mother, father, and boyfriend went out for sushi and then my boyfriend and I went to see Atlas Shrugged part 1.   I was really impressed with the theater (Raleighwood) as well as the film. 

Now, onto class stuff:

The biggest con I've found so far with my Kodak EasyShare 2740 is that yesterday it was in Greensboro while I was in Raleigh.  

The result of being an hour and a half away from your camera.

Luckily I was able to check a camera out from the school.  It was a NIKON D70 which is a DSLR.  I'm fairly certain the camera which is in Greensboro is a point and shoot, so the challenges will be all different.  The camera I used is heavy and very large, and it was sometimes difficult to get a picture of Jeffery.  It must be even more difficult to use it in a kennel. 

This would be a really adorable photo if it were sharper.  Because of my ignorance with all cameras, I tend to run into problems like this where the photograph simply isn't sharp enough.  I wasn't watching the background in this picture either, and so the chair is in the way.  Another problem this photograph has is that the camera I was using doesn't like close pictures and I got close to my subject. 

I like this photo of Jeffery as it shows him as a happy dog.  Because the camera I was using is a DSLR I was able to see exactly what picture I was taking (unfortunately I still cut off his paw.)  The camera was set for the fastest speed possible and so even the wagging tail isn't too blurred.