birds, wired

In seattle tagged birds, clouds, downtown, sky, wires

Always remember that you are absolutely unique.
Just like everyone else.
-margaret mead

Whenever I see birds on wires I think of this story I read once about Snoopy’s ears (yes, you read that right). Charles Schulz, Peanuts’ creator, had done some research on birds and found out that birds’ brains send a signal to their feet to stay put before they nod off so that they can perch while they’re sleeping and not let go. That was the basis for how Snoopy slept on his doghouse and didn’t fall off.

how to foto your fido

In elsewhere tagged hua, published

Originally in JPG Magazine, Issue 9
5 February 2007
Special thank you to Derek Powazek

(by special request I’m re-adding this to the blog)

There is an old saying that goes something like this: If you think your dog doesnt know how to count, put three biscuits in your pocket and only give him two. It is so true. Dogs are incredibly smart creatures, and not just when it comes to mathematics. They also make great photographic subjects. Here are 10 tips to help you get Fido to look his best when he is in front of the camera.

1. Attitude. The first and most important thing I think is attitude. If your pup senses that you are stressed and trying to get the shot, it just will not work. You have got to be having fun, and Fido needs to feel like he is pleasing you.

2. Praise. This might sound silly, but trust me, it works. Praise Fido. A lot. Let him know that you are SO SO proud of him and his behaviour. Do this by the tone in your voice and the look on your face. Dogs like to please their humans, so make it easy for Fido to please you, and he will.

3. Plan the shot. I would recommend that you definitely plan the shot before you start to shoot, or at least have some idea of what you are going for, leaving plenty of room for spontaneity (see below). Check your ISO settings and lens choices (etcetera) before you begin, that way you can forget all that and have fun during the shoot.

4. Patience is a virtue. And probably one of the most important things to remember. Not Fido’s, yours. Well okay, Fido’s too. Because lets face it, to get one great shot may take a lot of shooting. For me, it often takes 20 or 30 shots to get one that I really, really like. Film directors have been known to say that the hardest scenes to shoot on a movie are the ones with dogs and children. But it doesnt have to be difficult.

But wait, theres more. And the good stuff is coming, read on.

5. The Payoff. Thats right, resort to good, old-fashioned bribery. Whatever Fido’s favorite is, have it on hand, but dont pull it out at the beginning of the shoot or it will be over before it begins. First tell Fido what he will get if he sits (or lie down, or roll over, or whatever it is you want to photograph him doing, like, say, for example, sit very still, you know, in a tutu). Believe me when I tell you this, dogs know the words for peanut butter or nummy. Fido will work just as hard for the promise of the word as the treat itself. Once you feel you have got the shot, make good on all the promises or next time he may not fall for it.

6. Make it easy for Fido to succeed at what it is you want him to do, and difficult for him to not do what it is you dont want him to do. You may need to reread that a couple of times to get it to sink in, but trust me, when it does, you will come to see how much it works. It is as simple, and as difficult, as that.

7. Props. Clothes and/or costumes, Doggles^TM are just a few ideas. I’ve always thought it would be fun to get a couple of pups together with a deck of cards and recreate the famous Dogs Playing Poker scene, use your imagination.

8. Angles/Crops. Try something different (an ants-eye view, or looking upward); or unique lenses (such as the fisheye). I often put my pups on the sofa or on the bed so I can work from different angles to catch their best side. I have also been known to focus on just the paw (and let the rest of the photograph slide into bokeh), or get really close-up and do a macro of their face.

9. Expressions. Canine body language is so fascinating. Capture a yawn, a smile, a furrowed brow, a whine, a beg, a crazy tongue, embrace the blur, to me it just makes the shot look that much more real. Try this: set a goal to capture a dozen different expressions. You will have fun getting the elicited response and then can focus in on the one you want.

10. Most of all, leave room for spontaneity. Some of the best photos are happy accidents, where Fido’s personality takes over the shoot, and you catch a shot of him doing what he does best.

With any photography how-to list, feel free to break all the rules and do your own thing.

More photographs of my pups may be found in their flickr set.

serenity now

In natura tagged b/w, dahlia

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can,
and wisdom to know the difference.
-the serenity prayer

Because dahlias are pretty.

two thousand eight

In personal tagged retrospective

For me, Two thousand eight seemed to just fly by, I know there must be a scientific explanation for way time speeds up the older one gets, but to whomever it was that set 2008 on warp speed for me: thanks, but, um, I’m not ready yet! The year started off with two really fabulous gigs — the huas got their first modeling gig for Room Candy — a wonderful website filled with fantastic gear for pups; This coloured smoke piece was featured in O n i r i q u e at Maison & Objet in PARIS (cahier d’ INSPIRATIONS No.12 - Inspirations Book) which was on sale at the gift shop of the Louvre. Just being able to say "the Louvre" in relation to my photography in any way, shape or form is such an honor.

I continued shooting Luly’s windows throughout 2008; Escada left their 5th and University location, the space is now occupied by Gucci (I will miss their wonderful mannequins); On May 1, thousands marched downtown for the Immigration Day Rally; My blog was featured on Blogs of Photogs (thanks, Mary!) and my love affair with the street photography genre continues. Redesigned my website and blog several times this year and am finally happy with both of them. For now. (Yes, fickle is my middle name when it comes to the web). Shot a few packs of Polaroid film this year (and am so glad to see that the film will be around for awhile!) and spent a great deal of time photographing sakura trees in springtime.

One of 2008’s definite high points for me was that I finally got to meet the fabulous one: Heather Champ (after years of knowing her online), she is more lovely IRL than you could imagine and I’m so blessed to get to count her as a friend (love ya, h!); Explored new public art spaces and did a series with a friend; Started a couple of projects that are in various forms of production (Quotografie and Project 8b); Spent a good deal of time researching Pacific NW Botany (and planning the garden and lavender field I hope to have someday); Finished off the year with a shoot downtown for Seattle Metropolitan Magazine.

Louis Vuitton, Downtown Seattle

In seattle, windows tagged Louis Vuitton

The important thing is not to stop questioning.
Curiosity has its own reason for existing.
One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity,
of life, of the marvelous structure of reality.
-albert einstein

This is the one that was chosen —
thank you to everyone who emailed (and telephoned) with their choices! -mk