Week 6, Day 2

My name is Mary Peyton Gosser and I am on my final semester of my Senior year at Meredith. I will be graduating this December (yay!). My major is Studio Art with a focus in Photography. I am class of 2011. I was interested in this course because it allowed me to still practice photography, learn more about in-camera techniques, file sizing, editing and PhotoShop while giving back to the community. I have always loved animals and the two BEST animals I have ever experienced are my cat that I adopted and my dog that we found on the side of the road. I am a big believer in second chances and I feel that every animal deserves their first chance at a home that will be loyal to them. I felt that this course was perfect because it was online and had freedom and I got to interact with the animals. Also, I was able to become a volunteer and start a new hobby/interest that I really, really enjoy. The most valuable part of this course going to the animal shelter and getting to interact with the animals. Seeing the dog and cats becoming so excited when they get a chance to come out of their cage makes me feel so happy. Even getting to show a little affection with some pets and hugs to the animals makes me so happy. That by far is the best part of the course. I learned a lot about photo editing that I should have learned in the past. I am a photography focus but a lot of the stuff that has really stuck (in terms of editing) has been in this class. I have taken a fair share of film photography classes and this is my first digital class. I didn't think I was going to learn so much about the camera that I have already had for a year! Photography can make an impact by raising awareness. It promotes outside marketing for these animals and provides a visual outlet into the lives, souls, hearts, and personalities of the animals. Photos make it possible to experience an animal conveniently. 

This photo is blurry but I wanted to post it because it is special to me. This is the first photo that I took at the animal shelter. It is important to me because though blurry, it captured the happiness of this dog. This dog was so sad in the cage and when we took him out for a walk he just turned into a completely different dog. This photo reminds me how important it is to think of others... even animals. Every living creature deserves to be happy.

Week 6, Day 1

Describe:

 Animal overpopulation is the same thing as the overpopulation that we hear on the news... but with animals. There are certain countries that are over populated and because of that reason, there are restrictions on how many children a family can have. Why? Because it is unsafe, not equal, and damaging to have overpopulation in general. This same theory applies to animal overpopulation. Just like a country that is over populated with people, cities that are overpopulated with animals are serious in a similar manner. The online dictionary describes over population as "–verb (used with object), -lat·ed, -lat·ing.to fill with an excessive number of people, straining available resources and facilities: Expanding industry has overpopulated the western suburbs." (www.dictionary.com). Animal over population is the same but with animals instead of humans. 

Interpret:

 Animal over population means that there are too many animals per square foot of space. It also means there are too many animals to assign to homes/feed/take care of. It could mean over population of animals in a shelter. The issue here is that they literally is not enough SPACE for the animals. Because of over population of animals in the shelter, animals have to be euthanized to make more space. Another example of animal over population of the animals that aren't in the shelter and are just wandering the streets. This is a direct result from households not spay and neutering their animals. This can cause an abundant number of cats and even dogs to be stray and unable to be cared for. This causes over population of animals that are homeless and lots end up being taken into animal shelters. 

Evaluate:

 I feel that our society does not take animal over population very seriously. I think people are aware to some degree when they see that stray cat walking through the parking lot but I think most don't think too far past that. There are plenty of people out there that have never stepped foot into an animal shelter let alone know the critical facts and numbers of the amounts of animals without homes. I think a lot of people are irresponsible pet owners and enjoy buying something cute without thinking about the responsibility. Many people don't see a reason to get their animal fixed and think nothing of it when their dog or cat get's out of the house. There are also the handful of people that breed their animals and have no idea what kind of homes they are letting the offspring go to. This can lead to owners who purchase and don't take care of the animal then that dog gets put into a shelter. No one should even be breeding dogs when there are so many animals that are even more loyal/loving that need homes that are currently in the shelters. I think the animal shelters are outreaching to the public by having events. The Durham animal shelter has an event on Saturdays where people can come in and  adopt two cats for the price of one. They also have events where they have the animals that need to be adopted and then pet owners that have adopted from the shelter all get together and have a sort of "parade" or "festival" type deal. The point of this is to be able to have the animals available to meet and greet to the public. They even have a "meet your match" type of deal where people can come in and find a animal that fits their personalities. Every time I go to the shelter they are promoting an animal on the bulletin board which also helps. Overall I think it is successful but could be more successful. I think that more outside marketing and awareness with commercials, posters, radio, etc can really help. I think even going to schools to educate will be helpful

 

Shelter Volunteering

I do think that I will continue to volunteer at the shelter since I finally filled out the paper work and I am officially a volunteer; now all I need is the official t-shirt! Instead of taking the pictures, however, I hope that I can be a dog walker. Taking pictures while the dogs are walking is my favorite part of the shelter experience. To see the dogs get so excited and to finally see some sunlight makes me so happy. I want to be the one that has the one on one time with them. I feel bad having to point a large camera at their face all the time. I will feel like I am directly helping by actually interacting with the dogs. I hope once this class is over and school settles down a bit I can go on a better schedule. Right now with work and school I am a bit overwhelmed but soon I will have more free time. At the Durham Animal Shelter, once you sign up to be a volunteer, you are required to give multiple months. Since I am officially a volunteer, I plan to do the same. I do not have a picture yet but I will post one tomorrow!!

"The Plan"

My idea is to create a video of a collaboration of pictures. The video will be a simple slideshow (with killer music, of course) that shows multiple pictures of animals at the Durham Animal Shelter that are looking to be adopted. The video would be done by me because I am not really sure of anyone that professionally works with video production. I am not positive how to do it... but it can't be too hard, right? The video can be handed out to local vet offices, Petsmart, animal hospitals, animal supply stores, etc. Even the shelter could have a copy of the disk for people who are just coming to "look" so when they leave, they have a visual memory that will last. The importance of this is for people who are busy but are interested to just take a look- it is simple and hopefully impacting. All you have to do is grab a free video and pop it into the computer and within seconds is a slideshow of multiple adorable animals that need a home. The ultimate goal is for people to see this video and take enough interest to go to the shelter and ultimately adopt!
2. I would be the "artist" so the proposal is to me. I would need to by DVD disks, find the right music, collaborate all the pictures together, and finally burn the disk. I would need to get in touch with animal related facilities and get the "ok" to leave the videos there. Perhaps a flyer that went along side would be appropriate so people can see what they are picking up.
3. A timeline for me would be... maybe by the end of next week? I would need to see how much it would cost to buy the DVD’s and have enough pictures that are good enough and recent enough to be put on the disk

I cannot put a picture of a video (duh...) but I will post a view photos in the order that I think they would appear on my video and the quality of photos that should be on the video are reflected here:

Week 5, Day 1

Photography has a very direct and important impact on the shelter. Photography allows for people to browse before having to come to the shelter. Some may not have the time to view all their options, so by having photographs, the future owner can narrow down their options before visiting. Another example of why photography is important is because it is a direct source for outside marketing of the animals. The photographs can be put on the actual shelter's site and students can use their outside marketing skills by posting animals pictures (to be adopted) on media networks such as blogger, twitter, facebook, etc. Artistic skills are very important in terms of a photograph. Having a keen eye and using an aesthetic touch to the picture makes the biggest difference. For example, a blurred picture is not an appealing picture; nor is one where the animals are scared from a flash, not looking at the camera, or over/under exposed. It takes artistic skill to create a visually pleasing photograph. Artist skill allows for a photo to stand out against the rest which in turn, aids to the animals likeability and chance of becoming adopted. Any art form can be used to aid in the adoption of an animal- it just requires being presented to the correct crowd. Going to an open mic and reading poetry based on the importance of adopting is a great way (and ambitious way) to promote the adoption of animals. I think vidoe, however, would be the best art form to collaborate with in terms of best ways to adopt. Making a video that is very well put together that perhaps has a slide show of photographs could be a great way to promote adoption. These videos could be given out for free at any and every type of event. If they are free, then what is the harm in taking a look?

This is a picture of my partner  holding on to a dog that he really fell for. This photograph explains how a good photo can have a positive impact on the shelter. My partner looks back on this picture and always talks about this dog... he really enjoyed the dog's company and said this is the type of dog he would like to adopt. 

Course Valuables

I believe the most valuable aspect of the course is the fact that we have over ten people giving back to the community. I appreciate the lessons, techniques, guidelines and camera skills that are taught in the class. I enjoy working with the photos and applying what I have learned in this class to my own personal pictures. Bigger than that, however, I feel that aiding in finding these animals homes is the most valuable aspect of the course. The online format is alright and it works, however it relies on a lot of self time-management. Being in class daily keeps you on your toes and very involved. I sometimes feel disorganized and out of touch a bit when I am doing online classes. I think this class could be amazing if it was actually in class a few days a week. On the other hand, I cannot complain because I work full-time and having the online class has made it so I can actually graduate on time.

This picture is a representation of why I appreciate this class and what I find most useful. This dog looks so happy right now. This happy expression is probably seen once a day on this dogs face... the other half of the day this animal is caged. The ten minute walk that this animal may get once a day gives me insight on how important it is to find him a home. I enjoy this picture because it captures a small moment in time that I hope by photographing can increase to a lifetime of happiness once this animal finds a home.

Color Correction is MAGICAL

I think color correction is the most useful tool. I have so many images that turn out too much of a certain one because of lack of light or too much light. Sometimes my images might be very blue... too much blue, or have too much orange because of a setting sun. Color correction is so helpful because it can cause an image that seems to be not one of the best to become one of the best. Also, if you wanted a "warmer" look that you can't achieve through the lens you can do that with color correction. Since many pet photos do tend to look sad, the blue tint can make it look even more sad. Adding a warmer color to equalize the color and bring it to a better looking shade can improve the image and the overall feel of the image.

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This is an image that NEEDS Color correction. There is an overall "blue" that fills the image. The picture already makes the cat look a little bit lonely and the blue only adds to that. Since we are trying to get folks to adopt out of love and want for an animal instead of pity and sadness, this "blue" image needs to be color corrected. Adding orange or red to the color correction can really help!