What captured my heart was the content of this photo, the dog staying by his master even after death, mourning his masters death. The photographer took a direct approach when taking the photograph. What needs to be known is seen right away. Anyone who has a pet, especially a dog, can feel the emotional expression while looking at his photo. The intention being displayed here is a dog never wanting to leave his masters side, the delicate loyalty between a man and his best friend is the theme here. Being a dog owner myself this photo brings out the emotions I have for my own dog. I understand the emotional story being told in this photograph right away and it leaves a warm impression in my heart.
The focus is the dog laying beside his master, who’s in the casket. The space of the photo is very personal. The funeral that took place has passed, the guests have gone home, and all that’s left is the dog in mourning. This is the last moment the dog will spend with his owner and you feel the sense that the dog understands it’s the last time. Time between a person and their dog is personal and it comes to life in this photo, emotions usually reserved for human interaction is shown in this photograph between a dog and his now deceased master. Love is an emotion that is boundless.
This really is an incredible and emotional photo. I think I remember hearing about this incident on the news a while back. I agree with your analysis. The effect produced by having only the dog in the photo is what really makes this a strong photo. Do you think that this photo would be a more impactful one if it was shot from a different angle? What if we could see the dogs face?
ReplyDeletei think the picture is almost cold with the hardwood floors and the shine. The idea of the dog being there is the focus, but it was hard for me to catch that. The shin and reflection interferes with my eyes. I would have liked to see the picture on display better, and agree with maybe a different look to see the dog at a different angle. Sad picture.
DeleteThis picture is pretty sad and touching even considering the sterile amateur nature of its composition. I think that such technique is important if you are trying to publish an image or an idea. This photo is not about art, it is about grief and loss in the real world. Animals rarely outlive their masters, and this man's death is the catalyst to the relation of emotions across species. When I was a kid my parents wanted us to have pets, not only because of the companionship and responsibility that comes with them, but also to teach us the meaning of emotional attachment and sorrow. When our pets met their furry little dooms we lost friends, family members but we also learned how to grieve in our own ways, a tragic loss that is considered more minor by adults and calamitous to children. The pets would die and we would learn to let them because there is no real choice in the matter. All animals die and this photo reminds me that it can go both ways.
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