Dog vs Bicycle
Before dogs, I used to love cycling. I had this image in my head, of me pedalling along with my dog running happily alongside. I really thought that it would happen. Somehow… it didn’t.
Always blame the dog! It’s so much easier than admitting I’m just not the most coordinated? In fact, all my dogs have been rescue dogs. And they were a handful. Terrified of everything. Seriously. Even their own shadows sometimes!
My first boy was half Whippet plus all the nervous energy… He’d sit there, all coiled and tense, and as soon as I even thought about getting on my bike, he was off like a rocket. I tried a few times, but I had to admit defeat. It wasn’t working.
My second one… he wouldn’t even sit still! He was too frightened of the bike itself. He was shaking. It was heartbreaking, actually. Eventually, I just gave up on cycling and gave the bike away.
On the other hand, this dog is a pro! While starring at me he manages to keep the exact pace with his owner. Notice the leash, it’s loose!
What you don’t see is: me. I’m kneeling with my right knee on the ground and my dog is slightly back of me on my right. The most surprising is that the dog is not starring at mine but at my camera.
Black and white photography, for me, is all about capturing that sort of essence. It strips away the distractions – the colours, the fleeting moments – and lets you focus on the character, the emotion of the subject. And dogs…, they have a timeless quality on their own!
I particularly love the way black and white highlights the textures – the way the fur falls, the shape of the face, the way the light plays on the contours. It’s simple, classic, and beautiful.
I often think of my own story when I’m photographing dogs – how much they’ve given me, how they’ve changed my life. And I like to think that my photographs do them justice. They’ve certainly brought me joy.
If you’ve ever wondered what your own beloved dog might look like in black and white, and fancy a session – without any pressure, of course – do get in touch. I’d love to chat https://www.sritch.com/contact.
Camera: Canon 70D ISO 100 and 1/320
Lens: Canon 70-200 f/4L-IS @121mm and f/5.6
Processed with Darktable: https://www.darktable.org/