The Black Dog’s PhotoBlog

After being razzed by his owner for not having at least one of the many pictures I’ve taken of this dog on my blog, I figured I better get busy and get his picture up.

Everyone, meet Jake.

He’s sporting a bit of gray around his nose these days. Maybe that’s because Jake will be 9 years old the end of January and he’s already led somewhat of an adventurous life. He started out with intentions of being a bird hunting dog but due to poor hips was retired very early. He was the internet mascot for a pet food warehouse near a town he lived. You may have seen a picture of him before in his younger years. He will eat anything and everything so if he comes for a visit keep those counters cleaned off. Although he has a bit of trouble getting up on the counters these days, he’s still a surfer. Some of his past samplings have included (but are not limited to) a box of chocolate covered cherries, blue paint balls, 2 dozen Krispy Kreme Donuts, bar soap and onions. He loves to sleep in the sunshine and get on the furniture even though he knows there will be consequences if he’s caught. He loves seeing his boy, massages and having his butt scratched.

He has many nick-names. Velvet Nose, Teddy Bear, Lug, Jakester, Jakey, Buddy, Big Boy, Block Head and Big Softy to name a few.

He is loved.

For those of you who don’t already know him, this is Dalton. In my world he IS the black dog. (He is also the dog on the main page of my website and in the right corner on the about us page.)

I remember the day we brought this tiny little black furball home. I remember his little black toes and puppy smell. I remember his sweet yet adventurous eyes. He was so happy, playful and alive. It’s hard to believe it’s been more than eight years ago now.

He’s still happy, playful and alive despite being diagnosed with lupus around a year ago. His eyes have filled with wisdom and an almost human like quality. He is my friend and loyal companion.

Can you smell that clean fresh air?

Being a fan of Dorothea Lange, I had to try photographing laundry hanging out to dry. My biggest dilemma in making these photos was deciding how I wanted to show the motion of the clothes blowing in the wind. Did I want to blur the motion or did I want to stop the motion and have the picture in clear focus. Ultimately, I couldn’t make up my mind so I tried a little of both.

For the first picture below I used a slow shutter speed with a tripod mounted camera which gives you the feel of motion with the blurring where the motion occurs. The second picture I used a fast shutter speed which shows you the motion but stopping it in it’s tracks.

Laundry hanging out to dry kind of reminds me of when I use to develop my own film and hanging prints up to dry. It seems like everyone can relate to the clothes line in some way or another. That’s what really fascinates me are how many people love photos of laundry strung out to dry. It seems to bring up a thought, a memory or an emotion. Maybe of their grandmothers or that clean smell of the outdoors or maybe its how nice and crisp the sheets feel to sleep in after drying in the warm breeze of autumn. Maybe it’s just remembering a time that seemed so much more simple.

A thought, a memory, an emotion, isn’t that what pictures, are about?