A lot of my dog photography has been of dogs in action and to this day, a lot of people still know me for this part of my work. Portraits are a bit rarer in my oeuvre, so here’s one that I enjoy…
The dog in this photo is our youngest Cardigan Welsh Corgi, Dora aka Bean. Her full name is White Raven “Salute of Innocence”, Dorothea Lange. Dora is now almost 3 years old and has quite a sense of humor, which is not a bad thing in a cute dog.
She stays busy with duck and sheep herding and agility, which means that she has something on her schedule most every weekend.
It is not coincidental that this little love shares her name with my favorite photographer. As I got to pick her registered name, “Salute of Innocence” was an easy choice, as it is one of Dorothea Lange’s most poignant images of Japanese American children saluting the flag during the pledge of allegiance.
This image is from Dorothea Lange’s time photographing Japanese Americans in internment camps in 1942; a dark period in American history that we should ensure to never repeat.
A Fresh Perspective
Photography is more than just a vehicle for capturing the world around me; it provides me with a palette and a set of brushes, with which I paint not only what I see, but also look to express the emotions that are evoked by the scene in front of me in that moment.
Growing up in the Netherlands exposed me to a wide cross-section of visual arts that laid the foundation of my photographic view of all that surrounds me. Early influences were the Dutch Masters of the 17th century, to whom I was introduced by my grandfather during museum explorations; favorites among them are the scenes of quotidian life depicted by Jan Steen and Frans Hals and the vivid landscapes of Jacob van Ruisdael.
My classical high school education was supplemented by the Boijmans Van Beuningen museum, where I spent many a lunch hour exploring its great collection. Here I was introduced to surrealism with a particular love for the approach taken by Salvador Dali; Dali also rekindled my appreciation for the work of Hieronymus Bosch, who often showed the folly of us mortals.
Universal Connections
My approach to any photographic subject is to look for understanding first; in this I look to establish either a connection between the viewer and the subject or capture the connection of the subject with its surroundings. The captured image then aims to portray this connection from a perspective that is part of my personal interpretation.
This interpretation is often a form of externalized introspection, which may alternately display the connection of isolated beings and items with their environment or highlight the whimsy of the profound world, in which we find ourselves. The universe is full of connections, many of which are waiting to be discovered; part of my journey as a photographer is to document these connections.
Any assignment, be it an event, a product shoot or a portrait session is always approached through communication with the client; this is where the first connection is established. Ideas are exchanged and a collaborative plan of action forms, ultimately resulting in a set of images that aim to exceed the expectations of each client.
And, lest we forget, it is important to have fun while practicing the serious business of photography!
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It all depends on their motivation. If they know there’s a good reward, most dogs will sit, roll and even smile for you. It can be tricky to find that one thing that does the trick.
Its eyes are speaking something!
The eyes do talk for Dora 🙂
Two very different but equally poignant photos. Dora is adorable!
Thank you! She is a total love!
I am forever trying to get the perfect pictures of my two daschhunds! You need a looooot of patience before you get that perfect shot! 😊
It all depends on their motivation. If they know there’s a good reward, most dogs will sit, roll and even smile for you. It can be tricky to find that one thing that does the trick.