'The Mobile Pit Bull Residence'

Pit bulls, also known as Staffordshire terriers, are sometimes extremely

friendly, and sometimes very deadly. This counterculture man mounts

his children's bike and pulls this cart with this 'mobile residence' for

himself, his two two pet pit bulls,and his pet rottweiler, throughout a

community in the Northwest Washington State, USA area, sleeping at

night under the canvases,and slowly hauling this affair wherever he goes.

Your ratings, critiques and observations are invited and most welcome.

If you rate harshly, very critically or wish to make an observation, please

make a helpful and constructive comment; please share your

photographic knowledge to help improve my photography. Thanks!

Enjoy! john

Here we see a man, who virtually does not have a decent place to stay, taking care of two dogs which look fairly well-fed. They stay in this "camp" and move about as their need takes them, I suppose. Viewing the photo, a question does come to mind...what is his source of sustenance? How is he covered as far as his (and his dogs') healthcare is concerned?

It does bring to the mind a query about man's behaviour in general. Is this an instinct some are blessed with? Or is this man's "counterculture" the key to his survival?

Sorry, no discussion the photo in itself, but developing curiosity in the viewer's mind, I am told, is one of the hallmarks of a successful photograph. :)

Except it has been said that one of the signs of a successful photo is the ability to 'engage; the viewer' [as you stated] -- to cause the viewer's eyes to linger over the photo, and in best causes to cause the viewer to think.

Thanks for the implied compliment.

john

John (Crosley)

What an interesting photograph (and dialog about it).  While I examined the image I realized that my eye didn't rest on the "camp" but rather moved to the house in the back.  The photo would be even stronger if that house were blurred by depth of field adjustment in camera or by post-processing.  With such a powerful story in the image, it would be even stronger without the house.  Nice work, well seen.

-Lynne

Interesting thought, but I think that house stands out as a contrast and makes the photo even stronger. Wonder what John has to say about this.

I left the apartment building or office building (two story) in right rear without blurring or other treatment because with a stopped down camera (bright daylight though much overcast) it showed reality.

I didn't change it and wouldn't however, because it helps create a sense of time and place. The architecture is wood-based, so it places it in the United States, and for those who know, it places it more on the West Coast and even somewhat in the Northwest, (though it's somewhat universal in treatment these days).

I wanted the contrast between his unconventionality and a little of the surrounding neighborhood to show how 'different' he was.  

Context here, I think strengthens the photo even if one's eyes are drawn and diverted to the more conventional architecture right rear.  

I admit it's not a perfect photo.

I think if one obscured or cropped the background architecture, this photo might have been taken anywhere rather than on a macadam (asphaltic concrete) parking lot near residences and/or offices.

I wanted to give a flavor of that to emphasis just how counterculture this man is AND how he cruises through mainstream America.  

It shows he's not hidden under some bridge with the trolls, though that may be exactly where he goes at night -- and with safety too, with three such potentially killer beasts.  

However, he commanded 'kiss'and the three pooches slobbered all over him as they licked his face with their long, sloppy tongues. 

But get two females in heat and a male around and all hell would break loose.  And woe betide someone who would come near with a stray puppy or dog not prepared to fight . . . . . I've seen such dogs when they go into attack mode and their fierce bites puncture within seconds with deep, piercing wounds.  They won't let go, often till there's maiming and when there's packs of them (even individuals) till the human is killed.

I approached VERY CAREFULLY and only as this friendly guy allowed . . . . he hardly knew at all I think their killer potential, but from years of reading news stories and seeing photos of maimed and killed kids, I know something about the killer potential of these dogs.

They're sweet most of the time; they only need to be killers one time.

Hope my explanation above settles your interesting points about context.

john

John (Crosley)

This guy's choice to cart around this "house" is pretty unconventional among street folks I have seen. Where I live they have camps in the undeveloped woods between housing or commercial developments and don't usually carry more than a backpack around town. I applaud this man's creativity and apparent determination. He looks quite happy which I don't doubt some people in brick and mortar homes may not be, perhaps maybe even in the apartments next to him. Ironic.

I don't have a critique about processing so much except I wish I had a closer look at his face, but I am not complaining, as I would never have had the nerve to approach him with those dogs so close. Glad you did though, this is a wonderful shot that has created interest and conversation.

Thanks for the wonderful comment.

I have, but have not posted and do not plan to post, close-up photos of the dogs licking his face.

That was far more courageous for me, a big detractor of pit bulls which  one minute can be so adorable and the next moment can rip one's face off.

I would never let a child in my care pet or even approach a pit bull, no matter how friendly it was or how much the owner said it was 'gentle as a lamb'.

They're powder kegs waiting to go off.  And you never now what will set them off.

Nice, interesting comment.   Thanks.

john

John (Crosley)

For sure, pitbulls are smarter than their owners.

This is the photographic proof, isn't it?

john

John (Crosley)