For this month, June 2023, the theme challenge is “Pets”. Since the Covid-19 pandemic and the recent wildfire events, we begin to think about our families and friends from a more personal point of view. It’s now more important than ever that we take the time to create lasting memories with a photograph. So this month let’s start with our pets, even if you do not have a pet yourself, visit a local beach or park and I guarantee there will be people there with their dog who are typically more than grateful for you to take a few pictures of their pet, just kindly ask them first. Then share your email address so they can contact you to receive a free photo. It’s always nice to give back and provide a digital image in return for them letting you practice with their pet.

One easy way to give the pet owner your contact information is have an image on your phone that has your picture and email information so they can take a photo of it. You can also create a simple Google Sites page with your contact information and then create a QR-code using https://qr-creator.com/ and have it on your phone that will take the pet owner directly to that Google Sites page. The exchange can be very fast and simple.

You have many choices as to how to decide to capture the image. You can show the relationship between the owner and pet or just the pet on it’s own showing an inquisitive look or running having fun. The most important things to remember are; get down to eye level, if the dog is moving use a fast shutter speed 1/1000 to 1/2000, use continuous focus on the pets eye, and don’t be afraid if your ISO needs to be higher because of the need for a faster shutter speed. Consider an appropriate aperture to blur the background enough to still have a sense of place but to help separate the pet from the background. Typically these sample images are best taken using a zoom lens between 100mm to 200mm. Also consider the direction and quality of light that best suits to make your pet stand out in the photo.

You’re not limited to Dogs either there are many other pets such as but not limited to horses, and cats.

If you have the resources to do some pet photography inside, if the pet is co-operative, and you have props or outfits take advantage of the situation and do some more formal portraits, just have fun with it.

Students are encouraged to develop their ability to tell a story or invoke an emotion, as well as how to plan and troubleshoot while creating their images. As such it’s important to not only create the image but to also include a “title”, and write a short paragraph about; how they came up with the idea, any interesting back ground that compelled them to make the image, and describe any techniques on how they overcame any obstacles.

As always with our monthly theme challenges we try to seek out an instructional resource, below are a few YouTube video links to give you some hints and ideas on how to photograph pets:
■ 8 Tips for Dog Photography by COOPH & photographer Anne Geier (4 min. 40 sec.)
■ 10 Tips for Dog Photography by The Photographer Academy & photographer Andy Biggar (7 min. 27 sec.)
■ 10 Ways to Instantly Improve Your Photos with 2020 Pet Photographer of the Year, Jessica McGovern by That Tog Spot (15 min. 57 sec.)
■ Take Expressive Pet Portraits on iPhone with Sophie Gamand (10 min. 52 sec.)

An important part of improving your photography is practice, which is one aspect of the monthly theme challenge in addition you have an opportunity to learn about different genres, techniques and tips.

This month, May 2023, the theme challenge is “Travel Photography”. Now that the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions have been relaxed we now have a chance to do some travel whether you take a trip close to home or farther away there are so many photographic opportunities with pretty much any genre of photography. So this month grab your camera and take a trip close to home or away to shoot what you enjoy. This should be a fun challenge and hopefully encourages you to embrace the challenges of uncertainty with stamina, time, the environment, weather, and lighting conditions to come home with images you are proud of. Below you’ll find a few examples and ideas but does not suggest to limit you to what you may be able to create.

Planning: Whether it’s a day trip close to home or a longer trip farther away you should take a bit of time to plan not only where you are going, accommodations, creating a detailed itinerary, cost, but also what photo equipment you’ll need to capture the opportunities you may encounter. Check out your favorite social medial photo platforms to get some photo ideas of the locations that you plan to visit to help with figuring out the best time of day for taking the photos you’d like to create to help tweak your itinerary. Use apps such as “The Photographer’s Ephemeris” or “PhotoPills” to help work out those special photos you want to capture. However, don’t get too over whelmed with planning, remember it’s about getting away to relax and have some fun with your photography with a chance to take images that you normally don’t get the opportunity to take. Take the gear you need and remember your filters, tripod, batteries, chargers, and memory cards.

Think about what images are an absolute must that you want to come home with. Even though you will see so many opportunities on any trip take the time before you go to think of those few images that will be the highlight of your experience. On our trip to Newfoundland in 2015 we wanted to see Ice-burgs off the shores of Lumsden, Northern Gannets at Cape Saint Mary’s, the Rose Blanche Lighthouse, and Puffins at Elliston. Remember to do your research so it is the right season for the subjects you want to capture.

You don’t have to travel great distances to go on a trip, you can visit places that are close to home that offer many possibilities. Remember many people travel from other parts of the world to see things that are close by from antique cars and sail boats in Chester Nova Scotia to fishing villages on the Aspotogan peninsula Nova Scotia.

While planning your trip consider what you are going to do with the photos when you get back. If it’s creating a slideshow or photo book for a local interest group, friends, or family think about making a journal and using your phone to take at least one image at each location so you can capture the GPS co-ordinates which helps with maps, dates, and times while you are away so it’s easier to put your project together when you get home. Remember to take selfies these images add to your story and it’s great to look back at your book or essay in years to come. Here is a video slide show from our trip to Newfoundland in Spring 2015.

As always with our monthly theme challenges we try to seek out additional instructional resources. Below are some YouTube video links to give you more hints and ideas.
■ B&H Optic 2022 | Scott Kelby: What Makes a Great Travel Photo? By: Scott Kelby (1hr 1min 15sec)
■ B&H Optic 2018 | Step into the Frame: How to Approach Travel & Cultural Photography By: Adam Marelli (38min 48sec)

An important part of improving your photography is practice, which is one aspect of the monthly theme challenge in addition you have an opportunity to learn about different genres, techniques and tips.