Strays, Zuni Pueblo

Very nice composition and light. Lovely rendition too. compliments -koushik

Regarding the signs;

 

I think they add a lot to the image. They coincide with the dogs looking in two directions by facing also in both directions. The implication for me being that, there are really only two ways to approach this scene and the dogs have them both covered. Also the signs being directly in front of what appears to be the only house from that point onward to the horizon, they have a oddly personal feel, as if erected for one family exclusively. The family now gone, the dogs remaining to give validity to the signage.

This is good Jeff, in a way, this is like the dog's side of Norman Rockwell. As Fred said, it is iconic. As photos go, the Rockwell comes in as a typical country scene (whether this is or not, it looks like sparsely populated countryside) with dogs wandering. The black and white is a good choice, it kind of enhances the scruffiness of the dogs. The nuances and detail of roadside grasses, the road itself, the dog's fur, the house tucked under the trees are really good!

 

Kirk

Killer shot. Did you think about making another layer in PS, adding contrast, then painting in the underside of the clouds to maybe add some of the texture back? Loce it. Cheers, Jay

Thanks to everyone for such great comments. Time has been a scarce commodity lately, so I apologize for the delay in saying thanks.

 

 

A.K.: I went back and tried to process the photo a little differently, but it lost all the spark. Thanks for the feedback.

 

 

Catalin: Hi. Nice to see you back.

 

 

Cherlyn: My wife actually adopted one about 11 years ago off this same street, hence our return. They seem wholly at ease with being around humans and roaming free at the same time.

 

 

Fred: Thanks always for your erudite review. The lighting was boosted a bit through digital means, but the basic bones of the photo held a lot of promise. I tried to remove the sign and decided to put it back in because I thought the two human signs held a counterpoint to the wild dogs. Appreciated.

 

 

Tim: Talented and entitled. They lingered in the middle of the road until I snapped their picture.

 

 

Donna: Dogs have an uncanny ability to ingratiate themselves into the human heart. One from this pack certainly became a part of our family for a long while.

 

 

Afshin: Thanks for your thoughts. I'm curious about the sky being too attractive. I thought it was rather boring myself, but it's always interesting to hear another point of view.

 

 

Alex: Yikes. I'm no Constable. I can't believe you found or remembered such a similar painting. Impressed, I am.

 

 

Shawn: You must be the type of guy always adding pepper to the pot. I would have never thought of changing the sign. If only I had the skill....

 

 

Gordon: Of course, on most of the reservations, photography is forbidden. I took a few shots of some houses and buildings, but none of the people. I figured the wild dogs were fair game, though. As I told you, Deb and I returned to Zuni to lay to rest our Jake, who started his life on this very road. Once there, we changed our minds. We decided instead to bury Jake next to my little guy Alamo here in New England, and Jake returned in our luggage. Yes, creepy and heartwarming. I liked the signs, but I can't really explain other than they seem to add some balance to the scene. A head-scratcher.

 

 

Adan: The dogs roamed the streets, scruffy, happy, and reasonably well fed. What a life. I think my capture creates a forlorn quality that wasn't really part of the experience.

 

 

Bob: Parts of the reservations did feel like a different world. We stopped at several reservations, each one on the outside seeming quite poor. Zuni holds a special place for us because Deb did some medical training at the hospital right up the street from this scene.

 

 

Koushik: Thanks so much!

 

 

Kirk: This scene had so many interesting details, I wanted to create a photo that had a tactile feel to it. The original (pre-JPG and shrinking) seems better to me, but oh well. The great thing about digital is that you can revisit scenes over and over again.

 

 

Jay: I tried to restore some of the details, but it seemed to make the photo claustrophobic. I kept the light as is so the eye can wander through the reflection on the street and back through the light in the clouds. I don't know if it truly works or not.

I like the tonal values that you have achieved. Besides that, It has a cool "lonesome traveler" vibe. If I didn't already know, I would say it had a Midwest feel. Do you see it? Well done Jeff.

Jeff, I have seen your photo more than ones and it is difficult to say something about it.

That doesn't mean I don't like it, on the contrary. It is my leak of English. But I do like this.

With regards.

Very fine B&W, very good contrast and effective mood! Best Regards. Glauco

Jeff, sometimes a wonderful image is just a wonderful image. It pulls me in. This, for me, is one of your very best. Really.

Joseph T: I see the Midwest wherever I go. It's called a flashback. There's a big part of my psyche that is bound up with images and impressions of the Midwest. Sugar maples, wide streets, cornfields, smokestacks on the horizon, cheap diners, black dirt, and crunchy snow.

 

 

Joke: To me, this picture represents the relationship between the U.S. and the Native Americans who now live relatively humble existences on reservations. Many of these people were moved from their native land and put onto land that no one else wanted. The Zuni, fortunately, remain on their own land. Both Deb and I worked with Indians during our training, me with the Cherokee and she with the Zuni. I think it was an important experience for both of us.

 

 

Glauco: I'm glad you like this one. B&W seemed the way to go here.

 

 

Margaret: Usually my photos are mere luck. Here, after spending the day watching the stray dogs wander the streets, I had an idea in mind of what I wanted to photograph. Luckily, this pair wandered onto the street and obliged. Thanks.

Christ! I've missed the carnival. Everyone had a great time while ol' Jack was snoozing behind the barn and now all that's left are empty paper cups and the wrappers from the candied apples. I haven't read the comments but I'm sure this picture has been covered in detail and then some. I'll just add my little hanko at the bottom and say that Alex' Constable allusion comes close to my own thinking. When I see a superbly imagined, superbly produced picture like this, the fact that they gave me POW seems like a meaningless joke.

Thanks for your thoughts. This may be a favorite of mine, at least of my recent pics. I don't know why. For some reason, this doesn't have a lot of ego investment in it. It seems more like an accidental discovery for which I can't take credit (even though truth be told, this is one of my more planned, intentional shots).

 

 

You wholly deserve the POW. I think that your work requires some reading between the lines to appreciate. I am reminded of William Carlos William's Red Wheelbarrow poem, both in content and structure:

 

 

so much depends

upon

 

 

a red wheel

barrow

 

 

glazed with rain

water

 

 

beside the white

chickens.

 

 

And so it is with your photos. Who knew the red wheelbarrow was so important and that so much depends on it? A wall is not a wall. Order is chaotic. And seeing is not believing, it is thinking. And I think that en masse you have a great deal to say about the world. Taking one photo out of its context is like lifting one line out of a poem. It derives its power by the context in which it lives. Having followed your work for awhile, the POW was truly deserved because I know the context (as did the elves). Likability of the photo is irrelevant. It's a simple whisper that shouts.

Tone and mood go so well together here....been busy lately, but it's a pleasure to breathe a bit and enjoy your new posts....

I was on the road (again) when you posted this, and so I am even later than Jack, and will have to admit I have nothing but my voice of approbation to add. It's wonderful, touching and reminiscent of all the longings that many of the higher order of species seem to feel. Just superb.

... but was blown away by it at display size, and my jaw dropped when I saw the larger version. Jeff, this may be one of my favorite images all time from your amazing collection. There is something so complete and so purposeful about this shot, but it is almost impossible to put my finger on it. Maybe that is it, of course, the mystery to this shot. It resonates on many levels, even to the implicit challenge of dog facing the camera. Wonderful work, Jeff. Seeing this shot makes me realize how much I love PN.

Comments/suggestions welcome.

The mother probably will have a tough day, to care for their puppies. Prudence and challenge, is basic to their survival. Excellent atmosphere. Congratulations. Best wishes. Vicente.

As Dennis... I too seem to have missed the "party" on this one. Granted the subject is only about two dogs. But these two dogs make one hell of a subject under your expert production. The light is something else...this is the main keystone to this frame. The dog's positioning, look and stance are also great factors in making this, quite rightly so, a very popular piece of photography...well done mate!

Jack London: THE CALL OF THE WILD

 

Laurent J: I, too, have been too busy. I'm taking a few stolen moments to say thanks.

 

 

David: Thanks so much for such a supportive comment. I really appreciate it. I hope that all in your world is going well. Improved, that is.

 

 

Dennis: You can imagine Deb and I wandering around in our rental car taking shots of stray dogs. I'm sure anyone observing the spectacle thought we were nuts.

 

 

Vicente: There was something in this particular twosome that drew sympathy in me. Thanks.

 

 

Keith: Thanks so much. I was blessed with a touching scene. All I did was snap the shutter (and do about ten minutes of PS work).

 

 

Vladimir: And still it calls and calls. Thanks.

I like the way he looks at you. Wainting for something.... Great b/w. Warm regards

 

 

A perfect photo, great work!

 

Best regards,

John

Magnifica Jeff.Excelente composicion,con una sensacional luz y texturas.Felicidades.

 

Un cordial saludo -Tolo.

Great work here, high quality photography!

 

Best regards, Gabi

most pictures should be seen large, but particularly when significant - I hope others click this one! Curious how some images instantly juxtapose with music… “ If dogs run free, then why not we…” is what I hear.

 

regards, Carlos.