Gun Dog Forum

I have been inspired by Eddie F to continue the photo contest. The great entries that he gathered for his Christmas contest got me thinking that we should keep doing this. I love seeing all the dogs! Hopefully this kind of thing is OK by the forum; let me know if you have any reservations.

So here is a basic outline of what I am thinking:

-Each month we will have a specific theme
-There will be a nominal prize
-Anyone who has a winning monthly entry will be on the judging board and theme committee
-Only one winning entry per dog per calendar year
-Ultimately I would like to gather enough good pics to publish a calendar for myself and possibly as a gift to others
-Eddie F will act as concilierge (if he wants); after all, I am ripping off his idea
-Eddie F is still eligible - he has possibly the most photogenic dog on the forum
-You can do whatever you want to the photos - but keep in mind that I believe the more natural, the better
-If you submit an entry you agree to release any copyright and publishing rights
-I have final say and the ability to suspend/amend the contest at any time


January's prize will be your choice of a $25 gift card to Cabela's or a 1 year premium membership to gundogforum.com. The monthly prizes could grow if we receive enough interest.

I will be back to you tomorrow with a theme for January. Again, any suggestions or comments are welcome.

Best,
Rob

panzer on christmas day 4 below zero

Great idea - I'm game....

Wow, awesome responses already!

I was planning to go for a "winter" theme - whatever that means in your neck of the woods. You have already made that decision easy. Keep them rolling in!

Rob

Well done, Rob!

Since we do have some warm weather people, what are your thoughts about maybe making it a more general 'Weather' theme? Snow, rain, wind, sun, everybody runs into SOME sort of weather. Just a thought...

But people here have beautiful dogs and take great pictures of them, so regardless of theme, I look forward to seeing all the entries!

Absolutely!

In fact, I was hoping some of our pals from out west would post some of those beautiful clear winter sunset shots. I know the warmer weather states may be at a slight disadvantage for January, but I would love to see your seasonal photos too. And think of the advantage you'll have when we are doing the "dog days" of summer or beach photos!

Hopefully this will catch on and we can get a lot of participation from each region.

Rob

Wow! Love the intensity.

just to keep pics current i would suggest the pics be shot within a time frame. example, this contest would be jan 1 2009 - jan 31 2009, no pics from last winter accepted. that would not allow repost and would keep the pics more interesting.

the photo contest is great and like you said may result in a great calendar for 2010

I appreciate the suggestion. I am just trying to find some good pics. I really have no way of determining when the photos were taken, but let me suggest that all entries should be "current". If they were taken reasonably recently I'm OK with them. Obviously there is not much of a prize involved, so there is no reason to push it.

Rob

i have to many to post them all i have more pictures of my dogs than most people have of there kids

one more

Me too, we could do a photo contest for every day of the year, and I would not have to take one photo for 10 years

birddogsunlimited wrote:one more

Wow! Great photo. I love you can see those ribs, a lean, huntin' machine!

Tessa




Blaze:

Two of my favorite winter pictures.

This is gonna be harder than I thought. Great job so far everyone!

I was hoping some of our pals from out west would post some of those beautiful clear winter sunset shots.

Tried to catch the sunset behind the place last night for ya' - wasn't too spectacular, needed more cloud cover and too cold to be out goofin' around!!

Big Southern Butte waaaay across the Snake River plains:


Portneuf River in Ft. Hall Bottoms:

Exactly what I had pictured in my mind's eye. Beautiful part of our country. Put a dog in there next time and you will have a definite contender!

Thanks for reminding me of how pretty it is out there.

Rob

Here are a couple of my favorites.

Rob wrote:Absolutely!

In fact, I was hoping some of our pals from out west would post some of those beautiful clear winter sunset shots.....

Rob

Just how far west did you want to go?.... Next time I'll make sure a dog is in the picture.....

Alaska Summer:



Alaska Fall:



Alaska Winter Mountains:...(sorry for the pesky birds in the pic - they kept getting in the way....)
P.S. I'd figure if I had a dog in this pic, she would have went to town on the birds & I'd went to jail...



I'll have to take a pic of your sunset pic on the mountains - we call it apenglow... it's downright breathtaking....

Unseasonably warm day in Oklahoma! 68* on December 30th......4 month old pup on pigeons...... close to sunset....

Killer Instinct:
Just beautiful.

Kbs:
Your pup is looking great.

Rob

Hey Brenda - Pics are from when you were here in Alaska, right? Nice.....

ever seen a pig nose?

A Montana sunset...

Some great shots here. Love the Eagles Tammy! How did you know??? :roll:

i have to throw a couple more in just because i like to share

That last pic by Bird Dogs Unlimited oughta be in one of the winter months if you were to do a calendar.

Great Pics! I went out today and hunted the dogs. I took the camera, but didn't manage to get any good pics...

I think I posted this before, but it's one of my favorites:

Rob wrote:Absolutely!

In fact, I was hoping some of our pals from out west would post some of those beautiful clear winter sunset shots.....
Rob

OK Rob - Here you go: today (12-31-08) was a perfect evening here in Alaska (what a way to end the year) which is very rare - most times it's clouded over. So here is an "Alaskan Apenglow Scenery" that I was able to take a few minutes ago before she disappeared on me. I'm not normally a "pink" fan, but God picked the right color for a dramatic effect that takes your breath away:

That is one beautiful place!!!!!

snips wrote:That is one beautiful place!!!!!

You gotta come back up, Brenda!... do wait for the summer, though - it's negative 20 degrees tonight.... I stepped outside to take the above pics - I was back inside in a flash!

I could not take it, you are tougher than me!!!

I took this one this fall while quail hunting here in NJ. My wife says she likes this one better than the other one I posted.

I really am impressed with all of the responses, and it isn't even January yet. BDU: I was already thinking about a possible theme for February, and my wife suggested "love" because of Valentine's day. Your pic of the two pups would be perfect for that one.

I love the Alaskan pics - almost enough to make me consider visiting .

NJ GSP - those are two beautifully composed pics. I happen to like the second one best too, but the first one says "winter" more to me. Good work.

Keep them coming in everyone! I hope everyone continues to enter as they get more pics throughout the month.

Rob

Rob wrote:NJ GSP - those are two beautifully composed pics. I happen to like the second one best too, but the first one says "winter" more to me. Good work.
Rob

Thanks! I love photography. I'm no pro by a long shot, but it's one of my favorite hobbies. I just wish I could afford better equipment! The first shot was film, the second digital. I still do a lot with 35mm. I think film has a warmth and depth that digital photos just don't seem to capture. But then again, I'm not using top-shelf digital photo gear, just PHD's.

Oh, and Happy New Year Everyone!

I wish I knew more about it. I just haven't taken the time to learn like I should. I have a canon DSLR - whatever the model second from the bottom was 3 years ago. I do wish I had more time to dedicate to it. Although if I knew more about it I would undoubtedly want better equipment; and on the spiral would go, like every other hobby I have ever had. I know the better gear can get really expensive. I do love even the lower-level DSLR's ability to take so many pics so quickly. Sure comes in handy with 2 toddlers and now a dog!

I have really been impressed with a lot of the pics so far. Seems like a lot of folks on the forum are pretty skilled with a camera. I am going to have to hit you all up for some tips as this contest progresses.

Rob

nj gsp wrote:I took this one this fall while quail hunting here in NJ. My wife says she likes this one better than the other one I posted.

I do too, this is a great photo!

One of my speed demons..............

AS close to winter as I have

Here's a winter shot just before Christmas

I am thinking this thread is evidence that a devoted Photography topic, like some of the other forums have, might go over pretty well on GDF too. Denise

While we're on winter scenes....don't leave out the setters!

TimSchoenborn:
That pic of your GSP is the personification (doginification?) of alert.

Zachz:
I love the swimming pool pic!

Grousemeister:
Looks like your dog is built for this kind of thing. More than I could say for myself!

Denise:
I think you are right. I have realized in very short order that there are many talented photographers and many more beautiful dogs on this forum. Maybe as this thing evolves…who knows?

Wetvet:
Love the ears!! (S)He looks like (s)he is flying through the snow!

Rob