The More He Pulls...:
I call this image “The Stand-Off.” You see, I was walking on the Vancouver Seawall. Actually, I wasn’t walking anymore, I was squatting with one knee down on the floor to take the photo and I had my dog patiently waiting slightly behind me to the side like I taught him to do over the years.
I call this image “The Stand-Off.” You see, I was walking on the Vancouver Seawall. Actually, I wasn’t walking anymore, I was squatting with one knee down on the floor to take the photo and I had my dog patiently waiting slightly behind me to the side like I taught him to do over the years.
It reminded me rather of a fox I once knew in Newfoundland. This fox became famous because he outsmarted generations of hunters. He even outsmarted me when I was trying to take his photo. I have never been able to take a decent photo of that fox. The locals named him ‘Wren’. He was smart and he was stubborn.
(I’m always a bit fascinated by dogs like that, actually. It’s not just about the cuteness, although he’s undeniably a handsome little thing. It’s about catching that little spark of personality, that wildness that still lingers beneath all the cuddles and training. We’ve mostly bred the wildness out of our dogs, but it’s still there, in moments like this.)
The thing is, it was a fleeting moment. As soon as his owner stopped pulling back on the leash, so did the Jack Russell. He just kind of… froze. Head cocked, ears perked, looking at me with the confused expression that only a terrier can do. It’s those little details that show the dog’s unique character. I always try to tell a story with my photos. To show a little glimpse into their world. Black and white really helps with that, I think. It strips away all the distractions and focuses on the essence of the dog. Their eyes, their posture, their sheer doggy-ness.
Do you have a furry friend you’re particularly fond of? I’m always delighted to discuss creating timeless black and white portraits for you and your beloved dog. I would love to talk about capturing their individual personality. Drop me a message and we can have a chat https://www.sritch.com/contact.
Camera: Canon 7DMk2 ISO 100 and 1/400s
Lens: Canon 70-200 f/4L IS @135mm and f/5
Processed with Darktable: https://www.darktable.org/