As a dog lover, it was impossible to pass up today’s WordPress Daily Prompt of Animal. Even though we live with five animals (4 Cardigan Welsh Corgis and 1 Cat), each of which is unique in their own way, it was a simple choice for me, as our current oldest dog, Darwin, has a birthday coming up this month: his 15th birthday!!
Here’s Darwin, from a number of years ago, as he was having a blast running through a little stream…
He knows how to have a good time, and, even though he spends a good amount of his day sleeping these days, he’s still full of life and mischievous!
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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Beautiful face!!!
Thank you!
Beautifully shot! He is gorgeous.
Thank you so much! And he has a wicked sense of humor 🙂
I am such an animal lover. He is amazing! I miss having a dog, use to have a German Shepard. He looks like he is smiling 🙂
Darwin definitely smiles 🙂 He loved this photo shoot, as running through water is still one of his favorite things to do!
Wat een lief en stralend gezicht :o)
Niet helemaal…hij is een ondeugd!
Haha, pret-lichtjes dus! :o)
Happy Birthday Darwin !!! What a handsome face – and great shot 🙂
Thank you! He is just having a fun time 🙂
Stunning photo! Look at the way the light highlights the warm brown of his eyes, full of warmth and excitement. Love this post!
Thank you very much! Darwin is pretty special.
Happy birthday Darwin ! Nice photo !
Thank you very much!