Less is more!

     When I was photographing a puppy one day, I was given the advice to just hold the shutter button down on my camera and point it at the dog. He said, "There is bound to be at least one good shot." This advice is radically different from what I learned in Photography 101 years ago. Expert

photography is not a lucky shot or captured by chance. Professionals carefully set up the capture by checking lighting situations, verifying a clean background, adjusting camera exposure and watching for the right composition. Yes, that is a lot to think about, but after years of experience, these skills become second nature. If your goal is to become a good photographer, practice with non-moving subjects first to develop the skills to create great artwork.

     Patience is a must when creating the perfect image. Often it requires waiting just for the right moment. And patience is an absolute must when working with children and pets. Think through the photo before you shoot it. What do you want to capture? Once you have an idea and a location to photograph, then bring your children and pets out. Be spontaneous as you follow the action and don't worry if your idea needs to change a bit. You may need to change your own position in order to keep a desired background in view. Make the experience fun for you and your subjects. Continue to talk to your subjects to keep them connected to you and the camera. Be ready for the unexpected moments. Poses are nice, but capturing a natural expression or action is far better.

     So it may seem easier for you to just hold the shutter button down on your camera and cross your fingers, and that is okay. If this is the approach you prefer, be sure to edit out all the images that are out of focus or look bad. It will be far more impressive to your family and friends if you only show the photos that turn out well. Posting the best images of the bunch will have a much greater impact. If you have editing software, take the time to crop out unwanted objects and crop in to the subjects.  Lighten or darken the images. Many applications have fun borders and effects that may improve your image. Less is more when it comes to showing off your pictures. The important thing is to just have fun with it.

The Camera-Shy Dog

Does your dog turn tail every time the camera comes out?  Does every photo you take of your pets look like this?

One great way to get a better photo of your pooch or kitty is to play with them as if the camera is not there. Capture your pet in action as he catches the frisbee or attacks the feather toy. Treats or a favored toy held in your hand near the camera is also a sure-fire way to keep your pets attention. Try making a silly noise that your pet doesn't usually hear you make. A whimpering sound usually gets a dog to do an adorable head tilt.

If your camera is the look-through-the-lens type, you will need to put your camera on a tripod so that your face is not behind the camera. First, frame the image in your camera, and then interact with your pet so he can see your eyes.

Some cameras have a delay when you click the button. Usually this happens because the camera is adjusting focus, checking exposure, eliminating red-eye, or other internal adjustments. Check the menu for the ability to shut off this feature. If your are not able to turn off this annoying problem, I suggest you get a new camera. You will need a camera that will stop action when you want it to. Animals and children do not sit still long enough to wait for your camera to catch up. Save yourself the hassle and get a quick and efficient camera.

My lifelong friend, Gigi

Gigi is my cat. When she came into my life, 7 years ago, she became my lifelong friend. If she gets sick, I will watch over her and get her the medicine she needs to get well. When she is older and loses her hearing or goes blind, I will continue to feed her and love her.  I promise that if I can no longer give her the care she needs, I will find her a good home where she will be loved.

 There are many reasons why people abandon animals. I don't mean to shame anyone who has previously left an animal behind. My intention is only to educate. Eight million dogs and cats enter an animal shelter every year. That statistic does not include the ferals and the animals that remain on the streets of every city across the country.

Some people leave their family pet behind when they move because they are moving to a place where pets are not allowed. They may have tried desperately to find a home for their dog or cat, but they just couldn't find anyone who would take it. All their money is gone in moving expenses, so they think they won't be able to afford an animal shelter surrender fee. Perhaps they fear that if they take their pet to a shelter, it will be put down. Some people really do believe their pet will have a better chance out on the street where some kind-hearted individual will walk by and take the animal home.

Before & after rescued photos show what the street does to a dog.

Animals that have been domesticated, which means we fed, watered, pampered and loved on them, really don't stand much of a chance out on the street. Their long fur gets caked with mud and leaves and ends up seriously matted. Pets are subject to diseases and vicious attacks by other cats, dogs or wild animals. Obviously, traffic kills millions of cats and dogs left to wander the streets. Once a previously sweet and adorable puppy goes through sickness, dirt, abuse by unfriendly people, dogs fights, and other harm on the street, the dog will become fearful and often aggressive. Leaving a pet behind is not a good alternative for any animal.

One thing I haven't mentioned yet is the number of cats and dogs that were never spayed or neutered. Pet owners may feel like they can't afford the cost. Some people think that the procedure will alter their dog and make him less manly. Others argue that they want their children to witness nature in action. When the home is overrun with baby puppies and kitties, they struggle to find homes for them. When these cats or dogs who are not spayed and neutered run wild in the street, the overpopulation problem develops in our neighborhoods.

 The answer is for all of us to get involved. Educate your friends and family on importance of finding good homes for pets that they can no longer care for. Besides animal shelters, most cities have rescue organizations that foster pets.  Most groups will include your pet on their adoption lists for free. Also, educate your neighborhood on the importance of spaying and neutering pets. Volunteer at a shelter or an animal rescue organization. Consider being a foster family for a dog or cat that is looking for a home. If there are no animal rescue groups in your area, be the first to organize your own non-profit. Most importantly, if you see dogs or cats that look as if they are feral or dumped, be the rescuer or at least, call for help. Let us not ignore the problem.

Here is a short list of links that will get you started in making a difference:
Petsmart Charities
Alley Cat Allies
The Dog Rescuers
The Humane Society

It started with a pony silhouetted in the morning light...

Earlier this week I dropped off a commissioned painting with its new owner, and I was asked how I came to specialize in portraits of animals. Since I love to tell the story, I made that today's blog topic.

My mother was an artist, working in oils. She had taken classes at art colleges in Minneapolis when she was working for the airlines. Art in all forms was very important to my Mom, and she passed her wealth of information on painting, music,  novels, dance, etc, to my brother and I. She started me painting when I was old enough to hold a paint brush. Most of my early paintings were paint-by-number tigers and giraffes.




 I was never allowed to touch my parent's camera. Film was cheap back then, but they would send the whole role in to be developed and printed, and they didn't want to pay for a child's careless images of an out-of-focus rock or a blurred photo of the clouds. I was about 7 when we were visiting my aunt's farm in Wisconsin. I noticed a pony standing under a big walnut tree. The sun, rising in the morning sky, silhouetted the scene and bathed it in golden light. "What a wonderful picture that would be," I thought to myself. I sneaked my mom's camera outside while she was having breakfast with the family. I captured one image of the scene and promptly returned the camera to where I had found it. What a surprise for the family when that pretty photo of the pony was found in amongst the other travel photos! I was given a camera immediately after that.

We also lived on a farm so my favorite subjects became the many different animals that lived there. I enjoyed posing our dog Queenie with glasses and a book. The cats were photographed on piano keys, nestled with the teddy bears, and hanging from tree limbs. Ducks, geese and turkeys were captured in front of soft colorful sunsets. Never did anyone think that this was my early training for a career in photographing animals later in my life.

When I studied art in college, I planned for a future of advertising design, illustration and photography. I even worked in that field for a number of years. But, fate brought me back to what I was born to do. I find purpose and meaning in creating images that depict the bond between people and their pets. It gives me so much pleasure to see the excitement in a client's eyes when they receive their portrait. Yes, I have a good job.

(All the images in this blog post were taken by Deborah Ann Klenzman before she was 14 years old.)

Being a Professional Artist

What does it really take to be a professional artist?

Most people would tell you it takes talent. But is that really enough? I personally started drawing and painting as a little child. But then most children draw and paint. Why do so many children grow up and stop creating art at some point in their lives?  The same people who could draw, paint, sing and dance as children mysteriously decide they are unable to do those things as adults. What happened?

I believe that a career as professional artist has more to do with dedication and hard work then just plain talent. If a person does not have a passion to follow their talent, they may continue their art as a hobby, but they will find other careers that interest them more. For some people it is less about the career and more about wanting an affluent life that the artist life rarely provides.

Because there are so many talented individuals, the competition in any art field is fierce. That fact alone discourages anyone who is not driven to pursue their art in spite of the odds.  Actually, I believe some of the most successful artists actually have less talent than others, but instead they possess far more tenacity and passion for what they do.

 There have been times in my life when I have felt like giving up. In fact, I had a teacher in college who said some pretty discouraging things to me. I continued on as a professional photographer, but I gave up painting for about 5 years. The desire to draw began to grow in me until I found myself sketching on napkins, church programs and tax forms. Before I knew it, drawings and paintings were exploding out of me. I couldn't hold it back. It is what I must do.

That passion also keeps me in a constant state of improvement. My art, whether it is photography, painting, drawing or digital graphics is never good enough in my mind. I create constantly like a basketball player practices his free throws. I take workshops, read art magazines, and watch online classes to perfect my craft. Spending time painting and creating with other artists keeps me encouraged and focused.

The same can be said of other competitive careers.  Steve Jobs said it best... "You have to have a lot of passion for what you are doing because it is so hard… if you don’t, any rational person would give up."

Remembering Bailey

Remembering Bailey

Last weekend, I was pet sitting two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels for a client. Pet sitting is something I enjoy doing on the side because it allows me to step away from my art for awhile and play with animals. The down-side is that I bond with these dogs, cats and birds, and when they get sick and pass out of this world, it hits me pretty hard too.

I had been watching Bailey and Cocoa for only a few months off and on, but they both found their way into my heart. Bailey was a few years older than Cocoa, so she moved a little slower on the walks. Cocoa, so full of energy, bounded along ahead of us. Then, as if to find out what was taking us so long, she would ran back and do circles around us. Bailey would get run over by Cocoa at times, but she was amazingly patient. It taught me to remember to be more patient towards those people who need it.

When Bailey began eating slower and sometimes not eating at all, I knew something was wrong. I mentioned it to her pet dad who informed me they were taking her in to the vet. The news was bad. She had cancer throughout her body and it would most likely overtake her in a few months. I did my best to make her comfortable and enjoy her favorite things, cookies and walks in the park.

Last weekend, Bailey's condition worsened. I had to hand feed her when she was too weak to eat out of her bowl. Her pet parents came back from vacation quickly after I informed them of her weakened state. They arrived in time to take her to the vet where she died peacefully in their arms.

Bailey was a good and loyal dog for 13 years to her pet parents. She will be sorely missed by her family and by her younger sister Cocoa. I will greatly miss her too.  She taught me endurance through sickness and patience. Bailey was nothing but sweetness and love.

Out in Nature for Inspiration

Identify the following things on your nature outing:

• bird songs
• wind in the trees
• water lapping against shore
• crunch of leaves under your feet
• colors in the sky
• colors of the foliage
• color of the sunlight on trees, rocks, grass
• scents of flowers, wet soil, etc
• cold or warmth of the day
• animal sounds or calls
• the design of shadows cast
• the design of clouds in the sky