huga

I love all the happies, peeps Top work. I forgot another thing - I submitted a few images for critique by QAIPP judges and two of them actually went ok

It was December last year when I was loaned my first DSLR I've learnt so much in that time and still have so far to go. I think the photography achievement I'm most proud of is being asked to be a second shooter for Savvy Studios If you told me that twelve months ago, I would have laughed in your face This was one of my first ever DSLR pics (going back through my Flickr stream): One of my most recent: A few of my wedding faves (all shot as second shooter with Savvy Studios): Yes, I'm very happy with it and can't wait to continue with it next year

Lola's was quite a sudden change in behaviour - I didn't actually consider that it was her soft palate that was the problem. She was slowing down on walks, sleeping a lot and was just generally lethargic. So I took her to the vet, they did some bloods, said it was mostly likely her soft palate, but wouldn't know for sure until they had a proper look. Sure enough, the vet said it was one of the worst he's ever seen and the most he's ever removed. He said her throat looks like a funnel. She'd never really had a problem before that, but they said with age, the muscles and tendons slacken and more of the soft palate was blocking her throat.

Oh so they can.. has Lola been ok since huga?? She's a different dog

Most definitely. Before Lola had her soft palate surgery, she was lethargic and sleeping all the time. The vet said she had sleep apnea and was exhausted from waking herself up all the time.

She does have that feral gleam in her eye I wish I didn't amputate her legs, but she was zooming around so fast it was almost impossible. She'd just had a bath and always does zoomies afterwards.

Can't wait to take it out OT, but Dan - why haven't I seen any of your photos before, hmmmm?

Thanks ladies I wish I had stepped back and got a wider shot, but she wasn't keen to stay there. 48/52:

OMG! It's here! It's here! Merry Christmas to meeeeeeee So glad I took the plunge. It's beautifully made and bigger than I expected. It's very me And (IMO) prettier and less expensive than so many camera bags out there.

Hehe. I think Lola is broken, she walks quite well and doesn't really do the jumpy/spinny pug thing They look like characters though. How was it photographing dogs without a snout?

Naww, cute guys I was thinking this afternoon - I'm going to miss seeing all these familiar faces every week. 47/52:

Outside in natural light (but not direct sun or dappled light). You could try the Etsy forums for ideas: http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6646920

So annoyed that I chopped his butt off, but impressed with the sharpness of his eye

Yay Annie! Apparently mine was shipped yesterday, so it won't be here in time for me to use at a wedding on the weekend. Oh well, I'll put it to use over Christmas.

No worries ladies, caring is sharing Did you get yours Annie?

Mine is a Panasonic Lumix TZ7.

I know ;) ... I've been known to use it at other times as well, but it started out trying to get a nice "middle of the day" feel, especially since that was when I was using it for the dog shots persephone: you do so well with those macros and I was just thinking earlier huga, you did some amazing stuff with your p&s before branching out into DSLR perfect thread to emphasize it's not just the camera that makes a good photo Thank you Yep, still relatively new to the DSLR game and I like the fact that a few DOLers thought I used a DSLR when I only had the P&S DSLRs are a steep learning curve, but once you get the hang of it, it's easy to get caught up in the lovely creamy tones and bokeh, rather than the whole photo (IMO anyway). I feel like I've lost my mojo lately, so thought it might be good to challenge myself and get back to basics.

46/52:

Yeah CM, that was the shot ;) But I had also seen the red/pink flower and loved that little bit of flare behind it. Fantastic shots - love the New York at night ones. I've found the Lumix awesome for long exposures. I've barely done any on the DSLR. ETA I love how you've made a preset just for daylight with the lumix Awesome.

That's cool, Whiskedaway

I hope so coz I use all sorts of settings on my compact (I'm not a fan of the term "point & shoot" unless it's a camera that truly doesn't have any controls at all and those are actually pretty rare) cameras to make them do what I want them to do as best as possible! that's half the fun sometimes - making the most of whatever equipment you have in your hand! I use the term 'point and shoot' because generally, people know what I'm talking about. I mean any camera that has a lens that you can't take off. I mostly use mine on auto, but do fiddle around with the settings sometimes. I agree with making the most of whatever you have - which is why I started the thread. I also started because I hear so often 'You must have a really good camera!' and I know others hear the same, like the photographer just pushes a button and voila! I'm sure it was Alicia who mentioned a photographer who won an award for shots taken on an iphone. A good photographer is a good photographer is a good photographer.

Post them up

You're another one that I thought of when I started this topic, kja Love the doggy one.

Somewhat inspired by Clicking Mad I have decided that I am going to use my little point and shoot camera (Panasonic Lumix) more often, for times when I can't use the DSLR for whatever reason. I think the way to use it successfully is to accept that it will never be a DSLR and embrace the short comings - like use the noise, avoid the flash, accept the shutter lag etc. Feel free to join in - use whatever you like, a point and shoot, phone, whatever. Learn to use what you have to take some interesting shots. I will aim to use mine once a week. So, here are some from the Roller Derby on Saturday night. It was DLSR-land, they were everywhere, so it felt good to go against the grain. It was also a drunken night out, so there was no way I was taking the D300 along... There is motion blur and noise because I am allergic to the flash: Here are a couple of my point and shoot faves: More here.

If the heat is uncomfortable for us, then I figure it's uncomfortable for Lola. So generally anything above 30ish degrees and she's inside with the a/c on. Our new place is so much warmer in winter and (so far) cooler in the warmer months, which is great - we probably won't have to use the a/c as much now.