Hey Everyone,

Here are some photos of a Mastiff that I shot a couple of weeks back. His name is, "Dude." It has been a bit since I posted any of my portrait work, so I figured I should get off my hind most end and do it or start to lose some street cred. :P BTW, yes, I know I gotta take that pimple out by the nose...

James

English Mastiff. By the looks, still a puppy. Does he have any personality? Because, from these images, he doesn't appear to have any. The images themselves are very nice technically. But I don't see who "the Dude" is. There is no connection. No interaction. He appears to be a glom.

Jim

Hey Jim,

Thanks for the blunt criticism. This guy is a senior, not a pup - almost 9. The owner wanted photos before he went too far along. You are right that he was hardly the most energetic guy I have photographed in some time. Having said that, he was definitely sweet guy and well worth the time photographing. I like the big cool breed dogs. Sweet - not necessarily sharp, but very sweet good natured dogs.

James

Interesting. With the exception of the first photo, I see regal, sophisticated and elegant. Sort of a wise old monarch.

The first one looks very sad.

I think they are sweet. I love the last one. I would probably do a little more in post processing to finish them, but, the owner will love them.

I love Mastiffs which is why I would have loved to see more life in the images. Most of the ones I've known are big, lovable clowns. He looks wonderful for being almost 9 years old -- hardly any gray hairs at all and very clear eyes. At 9, this guy is very old in Mastiff years.

Like I said, the images are very good technically. But I'd personally like to see more of what this Dude is really like in terms of personality.

Jim

Wow he looks amazing for a 9 year old giant breed dog. I think he looks cute but stoic, not sad. It's that wrinkly furrowed brow. Love that last one.

Diana

OK, I somehow feel that I need to explain my initial post. I was in no way criticizing James' photography. It's just that I couldn't see The Dude exhibiting any of his "Dudeness" in the images. Perhaps that's just my prejudices but, as I've said, The Dude may be regal but just a bit of personality is OK.

For example, here are a few samples of dog portraits that, I think, show the dogs' personalities. That doesn't mean that "The Dude" doesn't have one. But I simply don't see it in the images James has posted.

Golden Retriever showing the essence of being a Golden Retriever.



Goose showing the essence of being a goose.



Dobe puppy showing the essence of being a Dobe.



Frenchie showing the essence of being a Frenchie.



A Weim looking into your soul.



A Sheltie showing the essence of being a Sheltie.



OJ showing the essence of being a cat.



A Boston Terrier being a Boston Terrier.



Sundance being something no other dog could be: Sundance.



And, finally, Rowdy showing the joy of being Rowdy.



I believe these images reflect the personalities of the various dogs and their particular breed. Rowdy was 10 years old when that last picture was taken. I realize The Dude is not a puppy but I'd like to see that he and life have a joyous relationship. But, maybe that's just me.

Jim

Interesting series of images and Julie's spin-off thread promises to be interesting as well.

Do you think that perhaps your familiarity with the subjects allows you to see things others may not, and lack of familiarity with the original subject might hinder your "seeing" personality?

Jim,
yes and yes. It's entirely possible that we create the interaction in the shoot itself that brings out the personality of the subjects. And, frankly, when I look closely at the shots of The Dude, the third one truly is regal.

Jim