How my day was yesterday ~ blue Weimaraner got into a porcupine

February 12, 2010

Dog with Porcupine quills

Yesterday I took my blue Weimaraner and Vizsla for a run on a seasonal road. There was a few inches of soft snow on top so I decided not to wear my snowshoes. It was a tough walk in but not too bad. The dogs were having fun running down the road and exploring into the woods a small amount. They live for this!

I was capturing some images of them in their crazy fun mode and then I heard Asta, the Vizsla, barking. Not a good sign. She typically won’t bark unless she is alerting Sampson to something or wants to play. I ran as fast as I could the 100 or so yards up to find Sampson digging and pawing at something under an uprooted tree. I called him and he would’t come. Then he looked and his face was covered with quills.

We were a good mile or more from the car and I knew that he would let me start pulling the quills so I turned and ran, and ran, and ran. All the time calling to Sampson to get to the car and load up. He would stop and pull quills out along the way. I am sure he was in pain but never whined or anything. He just tried to get them out of his mouth, nose, and lips.

We arrived at the car and I got Asta la Vizsla in the car and she immediately went to the front car floor and wouldn’t look at Sampson. Sam jumped in the back seat and I took off fast. I called the vet and I was about 20 minutes away they said. I really wasn’t sure how many quills he had in his throat so I was a bit worried.

On the way I was able to take a few images. These are a bit graphic so be prepared, no blood.

The Sault Animal Hospital took good care of Sampson and they were able to get some of his shots done too and clip his nails all while he was taking a time out. It took about 1.5 hours to get Sampson through the extractions.

He is doing great today and finding time to relax. He doesn’t seem like he has any swelling or soreness in the face. In fact, he is playing with his toys inside and out.

Lesson, hopefully, learned by the 6.5 year old guy. This was his first encounter.

0 comments

Illinois Pet SitterI was so happy to see so many dog lovers online. I just found your site and I hope to be a regular visitor.ReplyCancel

Should I have a Dollar Dance at my Wedding?

February 12, 2010

Dollar Dance at Wedding?

Couples have a hard time deciding if they should have a Dollar Dance at their Wedding. Some Wedding couples like to do a ‘dash for cash” or a “first dance auction” or a “kiss matching donation.”

Personally, I do not voice my opinion in this matter. I do have my own opinions on the matter but I am at the Wedding to capture the day and not disrupt the flow. The extra dances allow for more creative images for me to capture during the night that may never happen. In a way it is almost image staging with some of your guests.

The Dollar Dance is a dance that any guest can dance with the bride and/or groom for at least one dollar. Usually the best man and maid of honor collect the money donated by the guests and give the money to the bride and groom for their honeymoon following the finish of the dancing. Typically it is at least two full songs and many times lots more depending on the activity. Sometimes the bride and groom have a competition and there is a wager or bet attached to the money earned. For example, one couple had a competition and if the groom lost he had to do dishes for 1 month after the Wedding and if the bride lost she had to wash the grooms car each week for a month. Sometimes the bride and groom can add a bit of their flair or personality to this dance with a bit of creativity.

“Dash for Cash” is just how it sounds. Usually the bride and groom have some form of wager on the amount of money earned. They have a hat or something for guest to input money. The DJ will announce the event and hype it up and then there is a set amount of time the bride and groom have to colllect as much money as they can throughout the reception. All money is given to bride and groom for honeymoon.

“First Dance Auction” is an auction that the DJ announces and guests bid on a first dance with the bride and groom. Sometimes this is the only dance the bride and groom do with guests and people can really get into this. The funds are given to the bride and groom.

“Kiss matching donation” is another way of creating funds and I learned this from one particular DJ down in Southwest Michigan. I was amazed that this DJ collected $750 for the bride and groom during the evening! This is how it works. The DJ announces that anyone can come up to the DJ station and put in a donation to the bride and groom and then suggest a couple, table, friends, or whomever to kiss. The DJ will announce that he has a donation for X and they people can either kiss, match the donation and not kiss, or increase the donation and make someone else or the original donater kiss. I have seen this go in circles for some time before someone kissed and the game was over until the next donation.

Some DJs want to work this into your Wedding Receptions and others try to move away from the idea. I have heard reasons for having and not having any of these events. I have also seen DJs who take a portion of the money earned, usually a percentage for their time and efforts in getting the crowd in the mood to donate. This does take extra effort but isn’t that why the DJ is at the reception?

Either way you will have a beautiful Wedding Reception and guests are happy to just be there and see you in your fabulous Wedding gown and the groom looking like a stud. Most people are honored to be a part of your day and know that it is your day and you have it how you want it.

Check out my Michigan Wedding Photography and Destination Wedding Photography throughout the World | Paul Retherford Wedding Photography

0 comments

Remember when the 2 Megapixel Camera was the King?

February 9, 2010

Camera choice and artistic impression

Years ago I attended a seminar with George Lepp. At the time I was on the brink of purchasing my first digital camera, still capturing in film. George spoke about his digital images and showed images on the projected screen and printed on stage with his 2.1 Megapixel digital camera. They were all fabulous. George even spoke about the billboard images that he was capturing with the same camera.

Fast forward to today, you have a race to infinite on camera megapixels. Are the images that much better? I am going to say NO. I am not going to say that technology doesn’t rock, but what I want to say is that if you have an eye for good photography, and capture in a professional manner, then the results will be consistent across the board no matter what the camera.

This is a lesson that I learned a long time ago. I rarely purchase the biggest and best, especially if my images are not suffering from lack of equipment. Take for example the Canon 580ex that I own multiples and the new Canon 580exII that just came out. Basically the same flash with more sealing and tougher body, plus a few new features. Will this change my life, no. I always have professional gear that will get me the results that my clients and I want. Before I purchase new equipment I always ask if I can make better images with this equipment or if it will streamline my workflow. If the answer is yes than I am sold. I don’t believe, like so many other photographers, that higher end equipment yields higher end images, just simply not true.

I have been an Canon Shooter since the age of 10. Back then I was developing my own film in the darkrooms at school for Yearbook. I learned from a Professional Photographer and Teacher how to create images. In the past 25 years I have refined my skills with numerous photography classes, seminars, workshops, and lots of on the job training. You can’t imagine how many cameras in all shapes and sizes and brands that I have held in my hands. Any of those cameras I could be using today to capture my vision and get similar results.

Always remember that a camera is a structure to document a photographer’s vision.

Paul Retherford Wedding Photography

Northern Michigan Wedding Photographer

0 comments