Category: Dog Art Photography

Elderly Animals by Isa Leshko

Kelly, Irish Wolfhound, age 11

Isa Leshko began photographing elderly animals shortly after spending a year caring for her mother who has Alzheimer's disease. During that time she made the conscious decision not to photograph her family, but she knew the experience would influence her work.

About a year after she returned home, she was mesmerized by a blind, elderly horse named Petey who lived on a relative's property. She spent the afternoon photographing him. After reviewing the film, she realized she found a way to sift through her feelings about her mother's illness and her own fears about aging and death. She subsequently traveled to farm sanctuaries in several states to photograph elderly animals. She spent hours with each one, often visiting them more than once, and sometimes just lying with them before taking a single photo. I think that intimacy and respect shows in her images. She met pigs, chickens, sheep, roosters, monkeys, horses, and several dogs…

Red, Chow Mix, age 14+

Blue, Australian Kelpie, age 19

Kiri, Great Plains Wolf, age 17

Filmmakers Mark and Angela Whalley made this film about Isa Leshko's Ederly Animals project…

Elderly Animals: Photographs by Isa Leshko from Mark & Angela Walley on Vimeo.

Isa Leshko's website.

Interview with her in The New York Times.

January 4, 2012
Today

Frosty, December 2011

Today I cried. I babysat my neighbor's dog, Frosty. He let me hold him for four hours. I was grateful. I made green curry. I cried. I watched a Brian Eno documentary. And I cried.

December 14, 2011
Rest in Peace Sweet Boy

Darby McLaughlin, November 20,1994 – December 3, 2011

Darby passed away at home on Saturday morning. He was my muse, partner, child, mentor, guru, peanut gallery, and thread of joy in every moment of my life for the past 17 years. I am so grateful he was mine. Rest in peace, sweet boy.

December 4, 2011
Alec Soth (Pet) Portrait Ebay Auction

Via Alec Soth’s Little Brown Mushroom Blog:

Earlier this year we released a book entitled Conductors of the Moving World by Brad Zellar. Brad’s book raised $10,000 for Japanese earthquake and tsunami relief. Since then, Brad has suffered a number of setbacks. After multiple unexplained dizzy spells, Brad fell down a flight of stairs and was left unconscious for a full day. He then spent weeks in the hospital and months undergoing neurological tests. As a consequence, Brad is drowning in medical bills.

To help Brad, I’m offerring the opportunity to purchase a portrait commission on our eBay auction page. Winning bidders may book a session for themselves or give the portrait session as a gift. The picture can be made in my studio in Minnesota or I can travel to you (as long as my expenses are covered). From this session the sitter and I will select an image to produce as a large scale print (up to 40×50 inches).

Over the years I’ve done a handful of these commissions…Whomever purchases this portrait, I aim to make a serious piece of work for a friend who is seriously in need.

If you are unable to purchase the portrait session, you can still help. On Sunday November 20th there will be a fundraiser at the Amsterdam Bar & Hall in St. Paul. Otherwise, you can donate cash directly via PayPal here. — Alec Soth

November 16, 2011
Mysterious Hollow Tutorial

Mysterious Hollow by Alexandra Fomicheva

If your pumpkins are carved and your costumes are made, Alexandra Fomicheva will teach you how to make this Mysterious Hollow image at Alfoart.com.

Happy Halloween!

October 31, 2011
Guest Post: Jesse Freidin’s Secret iPhone Affair

Real Polaroid vs. ShakeItPhoto

{Today's guest post is by Jesse Freidin, a San Francisco based fine art dog photographer, I met two years ago at Mutt Lynch Winery. Since then, I have been a big fan of his work and his advice. — Moira McLaughlin}

I am a photographer who uses film. I am committed to that, so I would never give my clients a digital image. But, when no one is looking, I have a secret affair with my iPhone. Actually it is one single app that I have fallen in love with. It’s called ShakeitPhoto. And just like a person might fall for a younger, newer "version" of a longtime companion, I've become smitten with ShakeItPhoto because it simulates an old Polaroid 600 camera, an instant camera that I’ve been collecting (dating) for the past 15 years.

What I like about ShakeItPhoto is that it automatically saturates the image by deepening the colors. It darkens the edges to create a vignette. And it crops it into a square with a neat fake Polaroid frame. The real version of the Polaroid 600 produces these effects with a small, deep-set lens and chemistry in the film. Here are examples of real Polaroid images of my dog Pancake beside fake ShakeItPhoto images of him…

Real Polaroid vs. ShakeItPhoto

Real Polaroid vs. ShakeItPhoto

The magic of analog photography is that there is so much room for human error, so the photographer is forced to create the image by controlling the light and the endless possibilities of results. There is a very physical interaction with both camera and film in the analog world, and that physicality is an integral part of the medium. Once taken away,the error-free ShakItPhoto replicas feel a bit hollow.

That being said, what makes my guilty iPhone soirees so exciting is that they are informed by my years of analog experience. When I pick up my digital camera and us the ShakeItPhoto app, I imagine it is a Polaroid 600 and interact with my camera and my subjects in much the same way. This, then, allows me to enhance my film work and experiment, virtually cost-free (the app is $1.99). Using my iPhone as a tool for my primary medium has allowed me to hone my style. And I have to confess that cheating feels good, but never as good as true analog love

To learn more about my work visit Jesse Freidin Photography

To purchase the ShakeItPhoto iPhone app visit the Apple Store.

October 26, 2011
Raw Milk Pet Food

1977 photo via Robin Tuckers woodmosaics flickr site

I recently had my first taste of raw goat’s milk at a friend’s farm. It was complex, earthy, and sweet. I also purchased some homemade raw goat’s milk cheese for my dog Darby. Luckily he shared. Because, although it is legal to consume raw milk in the United States, it is illegal to buy it for human consumption. As NPR’s Maria Godoy recently reported, “labeling raw milk as pet food is one of several known ‘moo-nshine’ strategies employed by farmers looking to circumvent state and federal legal bans.”

I don’t know if I would serve unpasturized cheese to children or guests. But it was exciting to be a part of this underground dairy movement. And, Darby and I had goat cheese, tomato, and basil pizza that I still think about.

October 17, 2011
Occupy the Tundra

Diane McEachern, Mr. Snickers (Schnauzer), Ruffian (blonde) and Seabiscuit (black).

Via Reinette Senum on facebook.

Have a great weekend.

October 14, 2011
Lauren Grabelle’s Dachshund Session

Photographing a Dachshund is tricky. The breed is long, low, and typically willful. Mine tends to turn his back on me whenever I reach for my camera. That's why I so adore this photo session by Lauren Grabelle of Malinda Grommet and her three Dachshunds: Maxie (mini longhair), Wilson (red smooth), and Brownie (Doxie/Spaniel mix). Lauren uses the challenge of getting Doxie noses, eyes, and ears all in focus to showcase each pup as an individual while celebrating the exuberance of the pack. I just love the kissing, nuzzling, licking, laughter, and politics of life with Dachshunds that comes through in this session. And, even with all the frolicking, Lauren still manages to make everyone look gorgeous. Yes, her subjects are stunning, but Lauren's knack for capturing the decisive moment is extraordinary.

Lauren Grabelle is a fine art photographer based in Bigfork, Montana who specializes in weddings, dogs, and documentary. I have been a big fan of her work since I featured her intimate dog and owner portraits in 2009. Visit her website for more information. She also has a terrific blog where she writes about her new life in Montana (she used to be a Jersey girl) with her dog Sugar.

P.S. This photo session was a birthday present to Malinda from her friends. I can't think of a sweeter gift for the dog lover in your life. Book now for the holidays.

October 11, 2011
Thank You, Steve Jobs

Thank you, Steve Jobs, for bringing the computer to the right brain. I am so grateful to live in the era of your genius. Rest in peace. — Moira McLaughlin

October 6, 2011