The Philosophy and Science of the Swishy Bum.

A Dog Photographer is quite the job: sitting in the lovely Lantzville Pub that looks out over a moody, slate grey sea on a Monday afternoon (drinking tea! Too early for me. And I am working, believe it or not). I am busy pondering the science and philosophy of the swishy bum dog photograph. It's tough, I tell you.

I have been spending a few days in the land of the forest; and, fittingly, I have been hanging out with a forest dog. You have met her before if you have been following my Dog Blog (and, if not, check out an earlier posting "Dog-Dogs vs Doggy-Dogs"). Penny, my forest dog friend, is the former. Through and through. No doubt about it. Absolute Dog-Dog.

Dogs all started as wolves before they began to develop their doggy off-shoot. Some say 10,000 years ago; some say longer. Some dogs, however, despite their fluffy bums and floppy ears have retained a wild side, an abject, no holds barred connection to mud and goop and pungent forest floors. Is it contextual, I wonder? If an impeccable urban Lhasa Apso was let off its shiny leash and permitted to run, wild through the bush, would they go? Would they jump in a murky pool? Role in the dirt, salivate and drool? Hmmm. Do you have a luxurious Lhasa Apso? A precious Pomeranian? I Promise I will give him or her a bath after if we try!

Penny knows where every forest pool is and leaps in all of them! She then roles in the forest floor (and I am intentionally not saying 'on'; there is nothing 'on' about this rolling ritual: she is in it).

Where does the forest end and the dog begin? Or, the dog end and the forest begin? Here is an example of absolute reciprocity between being and environment. Go Penny!

And the finale, the Queen in her leafy nest, framed by ferns. Post euphoric soil bath. For a Forest Dog, it doesn't get any better than this.

However, despite Penny's overt wild side, she has an adorable fluffy bum and swishy tail. The first fluffy bum I ever photographed is Teddy. He is the complete opposite of Penny in terms of his preferred environments and favourite activities. I honestly don't think Teddy would have a wild mud bath, even if offered and encouraged to do so. According to his similarly urbanized human companion, Teddy prefers pavement to grass and dirt. Here he is in all of his teddy-bear glory, swishy tail a swish, in Park Royal Village:

One can barely imagine mud on Teddy's pristine derriere or impeding the flow of such a divine, feathery tail. In this photograph, Teddy is demonstrating the 'side-swipe trot check out my 'hood swish.'

Teddy was my first fluffy bum photograph. And, like all firsts, alas, it came very easily. Within a couple of shots, I had the perfect tail swish, fluffy bum shot. His legs are in ideal trot position, perfectly spaced, his ears are visible, one can sense that he is looking around and, therefore, imagine his face. People love this portrait and have often commented that this bum shot conveys as much or more of his personality than a frontal shot could.

The Penny bum-shot was more challenging. Intoxicated by forest smells, she runs far ahead during our walks. It is difficult to get a good fluffy bum shot when you are chasing a dog. I had to keep calling her back, relying on her inbred tame side. Then, as she sat and stared at me, wondering for what reason I had disrupted her forest time, I positioned myself in crouch position and framed the shot before I said "Off you go!" I then shot multiple frames as she gleefully took off again.

Here she comes when I called her back, blindly obedient, and I think she is wondering why she keeps coming back, this mechanical response bred into her with 10,000 years of tamer and tamer ancestors. She doesn't really want to come back, but she does, sweet loyalty over-riding any possibility of annoyance. Oh, Penny ...

And then off she goes again! This is the "And she's off, nose to ground sucking smells, galloping tail swoosh."

The mud and twigs cannot conceal such an adorable fluffy bum and swishy tail!

That is a fabulous 'side-swipe laid back trot swish'.

Here is an 'ears perk up, just heard something I am going to chase in the forest alert upwards swish'.

Why do you photograph dog bums? (You may be wondering). Are you nuts? Is all of this dog photography pushing you into a bizarre realm of canine trivia? Well, yes, I admit, I do have dogs on the brain. However, in terms of the 10,000 year relationship between us and our dogs, when we let them off-leash, be it on city side-walk or forest path, that is what we see: fluffy bums and tails a-swish. And, temporarily freed from our collar tugs, limited extendo leashes and healing up, every dog has a fluffy bum and swishy tail with a distinct personality. Therefore, I say in my defense, index finger flourished, dog bums are a distinct part of the human relationship with dogs. We have been walking behind them for millennia.

"Ch-Ch-Chihuahuawas, Ch-Ch-Chihuahuawas"

Ya-da-da-da-dadada ...

Yes, I have been photographing Chihuahuawas of late. And every time I write the name (Chihuahuawa), I have to look it up. I may not have learned to spell 'Chihuahuawa,' but I did learn that just like individuals within racial and cultural groups, it is impossible to stereo-type the characteristics of a breed.

The first thing I learned is that not all Chihuahuawas enjoy the world of the studio. Bright lights flashing in wide-open eye-balls aren't for everyone ... especially every Chihuahuawa. They are delicate creatures, tiny, slender, wide-eyed and have the propensity to startle easily. It must be a bit scary being a Chihuahuawa at times: human feet as large as you looming over-head, always in mid-step and about to step, only able to look as high as the average human companion's shin-bone, short-haired and often shivering if they forgot their jacket (at least Canadian Chihuahuawas).

Meet Pica. A sweet little Chihuahuawa. She is the first of her breed I ever photographed and she really didn't want anything to do with the studio as soon as her little being was jolted by the sharp flash of light. She looked up at her human companion in disbelief and quickly made her way for the door. She was having nothing to do with our plan to create an adorable portrait of her sweet self and, steadfast in her determination, was not even lured back by a tiny organic cookie to remain in the frame. Very soon into the shoot, she exited stage left:



And then:



And then:



And yes: Ciau



Now, it was not all 'Ya da dadadada da da da da'

(exit stage left), dashing for the door or swooshing under the couch for our dear Pica. With the ten or so shots we managed to get, we got a few beauties! Two to follow. Way to go Pica!

But, next time, let's take your picture in a pretty park, with gentle breezes, soft sunlight and no studio lights!



And then she gave us this coy little over the shoulder twist:



A few days later, I had a shoot with two more Chihuahuawas: Shorty and Macho Man! Concerned that they would react to the studio the same as Pica, I warned their human companion about the potential Chihuahuawa horrors of the studio and, in so doing, stereo-typed the Chihuahuawa as studio-phobic. However, my hasty theory was soon to be proven, well, hasty, unfounded and just plain presumptuous.

Enter Shorty! She is made for the camera and the razzel-dazzle of the studio lights! She was instantly on stage, a true performer, loving the lilac light (and check out her 'bling'):



But, I couldn't resist memories of Pica as Shorty bounced playfully out of the frame, a very different energy to her 'exit stage right,' don't you think?



And then it was her side-kick Macho Man's turn. Unlike the sparkling Shorty, he has more of a thoughtful, perhaps even existential, personality, looking like a moody movie star in his fur collared coat (by the way, this is the first time I photographed a dog wearing more than their furry birthday suit):



Macho Man ... you fascinate with your ineffable glamour.
Where are you gazing? What's on your Chihuahuawa mind?
Where are you going in that fabulous coat after the shoot?
Some smokey lounge ... cigars? Swirling of cognac? I wasn't privy to that information. Alas ...

And Macho Man, again, gazing off into some unfathomable distance, his other-worldliness as poised as a deer. Despite hisautonomous gaze, he seems carved, like an emblem, into the flowery textures of the background, giving us an essence of a most noble Chihuahuawa.



And we conclude our Chi-Chi-Chihuahuawa story with Shorty.She seemed sad to be off stage as we focused on the mysteries of Macho Man. But, back in front of the camera, the love affair resumed like it had never lapsed and she didn't miss a shot, her sweet face and doe-like eyes gleaming right through us and revealing yet another, very different, breed of Chihuahuawa.



That's all for now folks! Join the only Dog Blog in Vancouver for more frolics and fun in the philosophical land of Karen Moe's (that's me) Dog Art.

Our First Afternoon Tea!

We had our first Afternoon Tea on Sunday January 29th and what a lovely affair! I have a gorgeous collection of family heirloom tea cups that tea-comers can choose from, classic tea sandwiches and even debued the Karen Moe Photography Dog Bone Shaped Sugar cookies!

We launched our first "Year in the Life of Karen Moe Photography" Dog Art book which contains portraits and stories about some of the wonderful dogs I had the honour to photograph in 2011. Janet Sadel and I sung an acappella song (written by Janet) called Little Dog Blues, and I couldn't resist performing a favourite Dog Ditty of mine (yes, I admit it) "How Much is that Dog in the Window". Everyone woofed along during the rokus chorus and I always customize the lyrics for the verses for every special event.

This time, I had to compose lyrics about Oscar and Kain, this year's Dog Muses of the Year who are featured in the Year in the Life of Karen Moe Photography Dog Art Book. Oscar was present at the party but, alas, Kain was not. We will feature a Dog Muse every year in our Dog Art book. Come by our studio and check it out! I am very proud of it. Here is the part about dear Kain.


Kain

Kain is one cool dude. He is am American bulldog and nothing gets him miffed. He cruises through life from one sensation to the next never getting overly excited or overly vexed. His occasional woof is authoritative in both its timbre and its infrequency: When Kain woofs, it means something.

People are often scared of Kain cuz he is big and has sagging lips and gums that could look as though he has just torn a part a deer; but he is one of the friendliest and most chill dogs I have ever met. Even when I forced him over and over to sit and stay in front of graffiti under a bridge (where it smelled like urine), in front of Hydrangea bushes and on a park bench, he obeyed. After awhile, I think I saw him roll his eyes, but his “I’d rather be sniffing everything nose” never got out of joint.





Here is the part about sweet Oscar!

Oscar

Oscar is an adorable (did I need to point that out?!) 8-month old Havanese. He loves to be photographed and doesn’t even require the incentive of treats. He lives in Yaletown with 2 cats (oh, and 1 human). He likes to chase the cats around the living room making a super-cute grunting noise, I doubt the cats find it so super-cute though.

I have seen Oscar in his fabulous winter coat with a fur collar that he wears in the Vancouver winter. On less blustery days, Oscar likes to go for runs along the Yaletown Seawall, but not without his favourite toy, and everyone smiles as he trots by. Oh Oscar .....



My dear Molly was also present at the tea. It was so great having dogs there and I hope to have more of our dog-friends come to our next Afternoon Tea in May! Here is the part about Molly in the book along with one of her portraits (by the way, this piece of Dog Art is hanging at the Yaletown Pet Hospital at Expo Blvd and Smithe in Vancouver)

Molly
Molly is a purebred Havanese who was once destined for breeding but, having an imperfect knee joint, became a family dog. She is 8 years old and extremely affectionate and playful. Like most purebreds, Molly is not coddled or obsessively clipped; indeed, she can often be seen being dragged around by a four-year-old in most uncomfortable and unflattering positions.

When Molly came for the shoot, she was quite surprised and taken with all of the attention. As a family dog in a household with 3 children it was as though she was thinking, shyly ‘Me, me? This is all about me?” And when she realized it was, the show-dog let loose and we all had a fabulous time!




Here are some of the highlights of our First Tea! Don't miss the next one in May! First: The Tea Table:




And the wonderful tea party guests! That's me in the middle proudly displaying the Year in the Life of Karen Moe Photography Dog Art book!



Bye for now and hope to see you at our next Afternoon Tea!

Karen.

LOVE MONTH

February is “Love Month” at Karen Moe Photography. By commissioning a Dog Art Portrait, love your Dog and all other Animals, too!

Photography is about connections. Empathy is about feeling with, and connecting to, an Other — be it human, animal, or the environment. Valentines Day is about Love. Karen Moe Photography, specializing in Dog Art, is about connecting to all other animals through your love for your Dog

Karen Moe’s empathy for and love of dogs started in 2000 when she was in Havana, Cuba. Shocked by the number of strays on the streets of Central Havana, Moe photographed every dog she saw for 2 weeks. Through this project, not only did she discover her spiritual and aesthetic love for dogs, this photographic study, of both homeless and housed dogs a like, produced a profound awareness of the ‘essence of dog.’ The project resulted in a book in collaboration with poets Joe Rosenblatt and Catherine Owen published by Toronto’s Mansfield Press in 2008 called, simply, “Dog.”

Karen Moe Photography specializes in Dog Art. And, Vancouverites are crazy about their dogs! But Karen Moe Photography is unique in that, through loving your dog (even more!) by commissioning a Fine Art Dog Portrait, you have the opportunity to reach out to all animals as well as your beloved doggy. Throughout the year, Karen Moe Photography donates 5% of all shooting fees to animal protection organizations like the SPCA and the Wilderness Committee of the clients’ choice. And, during special events like February’s Love Month, the donation is increased to 10%. Through the love for our dogs, Karen Moe Photography extends love and empathy to all animals, under-privileged and ‘non’-dog alike.


February is Love Month at Karen Moe Photography:

Promotional 1 hour Dog Art Portrait Commissions at the loving price of $149.99 HST included
(regular price $199 + HST)
2 archival, custom 8X10s
CD of JPEGS

10% shooting fee is donated to an animal protection organization of the client’s choice: The SPCA (protects domestic animals); The Wilderness Committee (protects wild animals); Liberation BC (protects factory farm animals) and The BC Health Coalition (protects human animals by protecting Universal Health Care)!

Karen Moe Photography
604-787-1806
www.karenmoephototography.com

Doggy-Dogs and Dog-Dogs

Since my last post, I have decided to designate my two general categories of kinds of dogs as Dog-Dogs and Doggy-Dogs, the first being narrated in my previous post about Penny, a definitive Dog-Dog.




In this dog portrait, Penny sits, relatively indifferent to my camera, really not giving a shit, her attention directed to where she will roam, humanless, once she is released from this imposition which promises a treat. Indeed, one wonders if she would sit and stay so obediently otherwise. In others, she seems pained to have to sit, yet again, an attitude I also experienced when photographing an American Bulldog, aptly named Kain where, by the end of the shoot, he was still 'cooperating,' but, if he could roll his eyes, he certainly would have. And, behold Kain, in the same disinterested position as Penny, his focus detached from the human, the longing to roam tugging his attention beyond the frame.



Yes, I did surround him romantically with Hydrangeas (I wonder if he would approve), but Kain is definitely not of 'the flower breed.'

And then there is Timber. He is half Wolf, half Husky with a touch of German Shepherd. Due to the Wild of the Wolf still surging in his genes, never has a dog gazed so intensely into my lens. Timber is a self-contained creature. His far-sightedness for hunting in the wild reflects and flashes in his eyes, especially when he is shot head-on. Even when his gaze is not directed at the lens, this reflection into the power of his retina is still recorded by the camera. My lighting set up was exactly the same as with all the other dogs I have photographed in studio, and I have never had such results before.






Timber is also extremely intelligent and was fascinated by what I was doing with the lights, moving backdrops, and with my camera. I think that if he had hands, he would have jumped up and assisted me!

Now onward to the Doggy-Dog or the lapdog. Doggy-Dogs are part of the Toy Group and were bred to "be small enough to be held in the arms or lie comfortably on a person's lap and temperamentally predisposed to do so." Who are some of the most obvious examples that are currently all sporting stylish rain-coats or colourful sweaters on Vancouver's more affluent streets? The Shih Tzu named after the most beautiful woman in China and also known as the Chrysanthemum dog? But of course. The Pomeranian, so fluffy and elegant? Oh, yes! The Lhasa Apso with the flowing locks? Certainly. The Havanese whose tail swishes and curls to one side and funny bangs that require a pony-tail if the deep brown dreamy eyes are to be seen? Definitely! And, in economically privileged urban centres, the list goes on and on.

So, what do all of the Doggy-Dogs have in common? Well, size, of course: they must be small enough to be picked up, carried around, held close to an adoring human face and beheld as 'So, cute! You're SO cute!' But what about their attitude and disposition in contrast with the Dog-Dog? For, example, would Penny, Kain or Timber ever be seen in Yaletown's "Pawsh Dog Spa"? I would wager thousands that they would not. This is a regular haunt of Yorkies, Bichon Frise and, of course, the luxurious Maltese. Whenever I poke my head into the clipping or massaging area of a Dog Spa, these dogs are thoroughly enjoying themselves! They have happy, satisfied little faces panting and smiling amicably. Would Timber, Kain or Penny be doing the same? No, they would be bolting for the door.

Now, I must say that Doggy-Dogs are often pure-breds. And, they are very easy to photograph in the studio (most don't even require treats as incentive to make them sit and stay in a relatively small space). It is as though they know they cost $2000. Check out Oscar, an adorable 8 month old Havanese.



Oscar made a quick home of the furry blanket, exposing his slipper feet and adorable pink paw pads. OMG! He's SO cute!

Here he is again (I have so many amazing shots of Oscar. He is very easy to photograph in the studio).



Why are two strands of his muzzle hair symmetrically curved and tucked into either side of his mouth? Oscar, did you plan that? Or have such acts of aesthetic perfection just been bred into you over the centuries, unlike Timber's continued ability to see deep into the night.

Now, Teddy is a Doggy-Dog phenomenon unto himself. Perhaps that is because he is a combination breed: half Pekingese, half Maltese. His name says it all in terms of cuddle-ability. He is kept well clipped and his funny, floppy ears are blunt cut. His pink tongue is regularly exposed demonstrating a 'Oh, you're SO cute' predisposition (which is often remarked upon as he ambles in Ambleside).



Teddy also has a most Doggy-Dog preference to pavement or sidewalks over grass and dirt. He is a quintessentially urban poochy. Check him out here, strutting off-leash through Park Royal Village (his 'hood), swishy tail a-swish, sometimes popping into The Gap for a little browse.



Recently, rescue dogs from Mexico and Southern California have become a way of obtaining your best friend. This particular little guy is named 'Punk' and, even though his breed is uncertain, he is definitely a Doggy-Dog. Yesterday, he was seen in a multi-coloured sweater and, in this portrait, he has a feather in his hair.



Punk is also often carried in a baby sling, regularly desiring absolute contact with his human companion.

But, what about the Jack Russell with their intelligence, fearlessness, and athletic abilities? It is noted that Jack Russells will become moody and destructive if not adequately exercised and have the ability to create their own fun. Or, the Welsh Terrier who was originally bred for hunting and, although today they are mainly show dogs, still retain their terrier strength of character. However, the Welsh Terrier can be spotted in Dog Spas, having its coat characteristically clipped in order to maintain the status and shape of its breed and I think I have seen a Jack Russell in a rain coat ... an inconspicuous shade of beige, though.

As the Jack Russell and Terrier examples demonstrate, in any attempt at binaric classification, there are always slippages and blurred boundaries. But, at the same time, generalizations and stereotypes are rooted in reality. Doggy-Dogs are more dependent, have the tendency to provide a deeper satisfaction to their human companions and are often treated as surrogate babies or children. Cute little Doggy-Dogs also possess an aesthetic that must be regularly attended to and can provide an animate accessory for their human companion.

Dog-Dogs, on the other hand, live to roam independently, their unkempt snouts lustily devouring every scent and texture of the earth. Dog-Dogs are more challenging to photograph in a studio and, even outdoors, do best in action shots.

But again, the impossibility of the binary as fixed is demonstrated through Molly, a pure-bred Havanese who was once destined for breeding but, having an imperfect knee joint, became a family dog. Not coddled or obsessively clipped, she is often dragged around by a four-year-old in most uncomfortable and unflattering positions. And Molly runs like the wind when unleashed, fetching a tennis ball that is bigger than her little pure-bred mouth. Molly's independent bliss exposes the wild (or the Timber) at the heart of all dogs, Dog-Dog and Doggy alike where, even those who have been bred for centuries to sit exquisitely on our laps can 'let loose.'

Penny: A Real Dog-Dog

What's the difference between a Dog-Dog and a Dog?

Over Christmas I hung out with Penny, a red/golden retriever who my Dad walks in Lantzville on Vancouver Island. Penny lives behind my parents and, because my Mother (you know, women really do rule the roost) doesn't want a dog, my dog-loving Dad doesn't have one. Enter Penny: a fabulous wild (yet obedient) dog who my Dad can walk whenever he wants and my Mom doesn't have to have anything to do with.

Whenever I go to the Island to see my folks, my Dad and I walk Penny together ... and this 'walk' is not just for her, it is for us as well and is certainly not a typical urban instance of going out to walk the dog. Dog and Human are completely equal on these walks that in all reality are really hikes. My parents live on the edge of a mountain and this is the wonderland where we 'walk the dog.'

Before unleashed into the forest that teams with smells and textures and adventure, Penny must be escorted across the road (where maybe a car goes by every 5 minutes maximum) on a leash. She knows the routine and does her best to quell her trembling anticipation and heel up. (An aside: the last time Penny and I went for a walk, she had already been for two walks that day! And the fact that she should have been tired or maybe even want to loll about on some furry matt made no difference at all to the intensity of her excitement at the fact that she was going to the forest ... again).

Penny is led across the road and a little ways up the trail and then told to sit, which she does on command because, even though she runs wild through the undergrowth, she is disciplined. Perhaps paradoxically, this 'discipline' is what gives her freedom. If she did not sit when told to, heel up, and come when she is called, she would not have the joys and freedom of being off leash. She would be out of control and would, therefore, always have to be (attempted) to be controlled on a leash, tugging and straining and dragging the irked 'owner.'

After Penny sits, she is given a treat, pat excessively, the leash unhooked and then: "Off you Go!" And off she goes, bursting with so much pure alive bliss that puts a smile on any onlooker's face. Penny doesn't believe in trails. It is as though the trail is just come across every now and then, something to bound over and then back, zig-zagging where ever her nose leads. A dog-dog uses their millions of olfactory senses to the maximum and, when you photograph a dog-dog and compare its nose (magnified 100%) to a dog, the nose is almost abject in the excess and development of its 220 million olfactory receptors. In contrast, non-dog-dogs noses are much more clean and contained, their olfactory receptors having the look of an aesthetic texture rather than a teaming organ.

Sometimes Penny's wild forages willy-nilly through the bush lead her quite far from her human companions. We call her and call her and she always comes, thrashing out of some dense BC undergrowth, branches stuck to her fluffy tail, drool gooping from her mouth and nose that just devoured the forest, and the world, raw.

Penny is, indeed, a dog-dog. And dog-dogs don't have to be big; but they are always best photographed outdoors.

Christmas Dog Portrait Fund-Raiser

HI

Karen Moe Photography is holding a Christmas Dog Portrait Fund-Raiser from November 28th until December 24th.

Special Dog Christmas Portraits until December 24th!
(Christmas Themes or Classic Portraits)
1 hour portrait shoots includes 20 custom Greeting or Christmas Cards or two archival 8X10s.

A reduced price for christmas and 5% of shooting fee goes to The SPCA (protects domestic animals), Liberation BC (protects farm animals), The West Coast Wilderness Committee (protects wild animals) and The BC Health Coalition (protects human animals by protecting Universal Health Care!). You choose which animal protection organization you would like to donate to!

Call now to book a session!

604-787-1806
701-1701 Powell (The ARC)
Vancouver BC
www.karenmoephotography.com

Don't have a doggy? Don't live in Vancouver? Please, pass this on to your Vancouver Doggie friends to help support this great cause!