Cooling off

Pyrs. do not like warm weather nor are they generally fond of

swimming, however if it gets hot enough out, my old guy Darwin will

walk out into the lake and stay there until he is cooled down. I often

go out with him and cool down too.

You portrayed your old friend well. Pleasing combination of soft tones to contrast and detail. His expression, one of relief.

Really wonderful and sweet capture of your companion, Darwin! I like the tones which are sort of soft and go nicely with his mood of peace and relaxation. His expression is priceless! Lovely work! Thank you for sharing. :)

Very nice portrait in water!

I know it, this cooling problematic. Have similar dog.

Brgds, Branislav

I saw this one ,and great  to see how Darwin is enjoing himself.Sweet wet dog.

watch out for polar bears in disguise...

What a magnificent old boy!  The tones make him part of the environment, which is as it should be.  This is as sweet and loving a photograph as I've seen in a good while.  Highest compliments on this one.

Ah this one made me smile!  What a great capture in every sense and a perfect choice for B&W. 

I'll have to concur with Carlos - definitely a polar bear! :-)

What makes it for me is his facial expression and the calm water. The absence of water splash from his thrashing makes it special, and of course the low camera angle.  

The pet, very cute and lovable. The photograph, the tones and colors make it appear as if it is a body of the lake, rising out of it. My slight visual discomfort is that its head merges with the sky.

Thanks to all who have commented.

Darwin gets the polar bear label often, even more so when he is out in the snow or running on the frozen lake in winter.

Darwin is standing on the bottom of the lake hence the lack of "thrashing". I agree that the still water adds to the calm nature of the photo.

Nice!

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You're at the top of your game with this one, Gordon. You too, Darwin. Stunning capture expertly processed. 

Cheers ~

Alberta

I do like the angle perspective here and the high key tones but those tones also seem to work against the image somewhat when it comes to the top of the dog's head. Some additional detail there would have 'helped' the image

I love Darwin - makes me miss my old Fred.  Bet he was one happy puppy to get cool!

I guess I agree with Art though....I lose the top of his head in the sky.

This is nice. I tend to think of B&W in more contrasty terms, but the tones work here. I see what previous posters have mentioned about the head blending into the sky. It's not bothering me too much and perhaps you meant to have it that way. His face seems to come out of the light and culminate in the big wet loveable nose. Well done.

beautiful high key white portrait, Gordon, celebrates the Pyrs breed's pure white coat; sea and land blend into Darwin's slightly wet, lol, but nonetheless awesome white coat. every thing white like Pyrs fur, making the majestic snout and mouth and wise eyes pop out in the raw. a visually stunning tribute to an awesome breed ;-} dp