Black beauty
I met this beautiful boy yesterday while I was out running errands. His owner was walking him through a large (and busy) parking lot at one of those mega strip malls when I spotted him (luckily I always have my dog-radar on and my camera ready!). I followed them through the parking lot trying to pick the best spot and moment to jump out and photograph him.
His owner was very nice and seemed flattered that I wanted to photograph his dog. He is a puppy (that’s a big puppy, huh?!), and I even got to give him a few pets afterwards. I called this photo Black Beauty because I was so taken with his beautiful coat – it was solid black and so shiny.
Did you know that dogs with black coats have a harder time getting adopted and suffer a higher euthanasia rate because of it? These statistics are tracked and documented, and it is believed that black-coated dogs suffer this fate because many people find them intimidating and scary. Another contributor is simple marketing – it is harder to take a good, clear photo of a black dog, so they often have dark photos on adoption sites that don’t do much show them off to potential adopters.
Perfect Title….what a beauty he is!!! Great photo!
Thanks Sheila! Glad to see you here! I know many of my dog-loving readers would love to check out your paintings right here on WordPress at http://swedegis.wordpress.com/. Thanks for visiting today!
He is beautiful. I recently learned that black dogs were harder to place and it surprised me, but your reasoning makes sense. Now that I’m paying attention, I have noticed that some people do seem to shy away from my black dog. She’s very sweet, though, and I’m lucky to have her.
Thanks for visiting and for your comment, Shary! It is hard to believe that some would shy away from sweet Lola, but I know it’s true because I’ve seen how people react to my black dog so I’ve experienced it first hand. It’s always funny to me because he is the most gentle dog I’ve ever had. I read that this fear may have been influenced by movies over the years that feature black scary dogs (like Kujo). Thanks for stopping by and hugs to Lola!
I can’t believe he’s a puppy. He looks like he’s bigger than me.
Hi Bongo, I think he is bigger than you! Heck, I think he’s bigger than me! Thanks for visiting!
What an interesting face. Wonderful photo.
Hi Gretchen! Thanks for visiting and for your nice comment! He does have a very interesting face – I love the big jowls! Thanks for stopping by!
Wow, that’s a puppy?! She is a beautiful dog. I love the black frame you put around it. My sister had told me about black dogs being harder to place but she didn’t mention the marketing angle. She loves black dogs and three of her five are black!
Yes Robin, that’s a puppy! Thanks for mentioning the frame – I was experimenting with that, and really liked it on this photo. Your sister sounds like a wonderful person – you’ve mentioned her before and each time I think about the week I spent with 5 dogs (3 of my own and dog-sitting 2 others). It was fun but a lot of work, especially at feeding time! My sis-in-law has 3 black dogs and I believe all of the dogs she has ever had (many!) have been black. Thanks for your visit today and hugs to Grace.
Hi!
I did not know that about black dogs. Its strange for I love the tri-color (mostly black) collie coats the most. As you can tell hal of our collies are tri-colors! 
That is one big puppy!!!!! Wow! He sure is beautiful.
Your photography is fantastic! Keep up the great pictures and great posts!
Lots of Collie Hugs from the Collies!
In friendship,
The Collies and Chuck
Hi Chuck and Collies! He is a big puppy and so beautiful and a nice dog, too! Thanks so much for your nice comment – I’ m so glad you are enjoying my photos! I’ll have to take a closer look at the collie’s photos and see if I can figure out who is tri-color. That’s very interesting – I love learning about the particulars of the different breeds. Hugs back to the collies!
. Thanks so much for visiting me today!
That pup must go through a LOT of kibble!
Ha-ha! Yeah, I wonder how big his food bowl is.
Oh, I didn’t know that black dog statistic. I wonder if it’s similar here in Australia. As a dog photographer, I was determined to have anything but black dogs but as fate would have it, we ended up adopting two (mostly) black dogs…there was just something about them.
That was great and unexpected to get a mention in your last post, Laurie.
Thanks for your visit and comment! It would be interesting to see if the stats hold true in other countries. Your photos of Annie and Fergus are beautiful, so the dark coats don’t seem to be a problem for you! I’d love any tips you can pass along for photographing black dogs. And it was my pleasure to mention you in my last post – I’ve really enjoyed your photography and I’m sure my readers would too.
Not sure what tips I could give you for black dogs, Laurie. Hmmm… the main things I keep in mind are:
1. Try to make sure I don’t overexpose any white (or shiny) patches on black dogs.
2. If the dogs face is in shade or in shadow, I try to catch some light in their eyes. It doesn’t have to be much, just enough so that you can tell they at least do have eyes. Harsh light and shadows on a black dogs face can also be a bit tricky. Can be a matter of just getting them to move their heads slightly.
These are great tips – thank you! I find the eyes to be the trickiest part because it is easy for them to get lost in the shadows and black fur, and they are such an important feature to capture. Thanks so much for sharing your tips – your photos of Annie and Fergus are always brilliant!
Gorgeous dog & awesome photo!
….Although I feel like he’d be a good candidate to play the roll of the hound in the Hound of the Baskervilles because he’s a monster!!
I didn’t know that about dogs with a darker coat?! I love dark coats! I would adopt him, I’d just make sure he always had PLENTY of food so he, you know; didn’t eat me or something.
Hi Nate! Thanks for visiting and commenting! I’m glad you like the photo! I’m sure he wouldn’t try to eat you – he was a very nice dog.
Thanks for stopping by today!
WOW he is very handsome!!
I have heard that before about black dogs and it is so sad. I bet if there were more photographers like you taking their pictures it just might help increase their chances. Beautiful photo!
Hi Misty Shores! Thanks for your nice comment – I’m glad you like the photo! He is a very handsome dog – I just wish I knew which breed he is (any idea?). It is a sad thing about black dogs – I’ve had two black dogs and both were/are very nice dogs. I know that some photographers have been working with rescue groups to improve the photos on adoption sites, which is a great idea. Thanks for stopping by!
Hmmmm looked at some breeds and thinking maybe a Cane Corso, what do you think http://www.dogchannel.com/cane-corso-dogs-breed-profiles.aspx
Yes it is very sad about black dogs, I have had two over the years, one was a retriever mix and the other was a Keeshond/Cocker mix, wonderful dogs!
Yes! After looking at a few of these Cane Corso photos, I do think that’s what he is. Also, I asked his owner about the dog’s breed, and he told me, but I was soooo excited about the photo, I forgot to write it down and then quickly forgot what he told me. I do remember that it started with a “C” or “K” sound, and Cane Corso sounds right! Thanks so much for that!
. I love learning about all of these breeds (and I’m getting really excited for the upcoming Detroit dog show!)
Beautiful photo of a gorgeous dog. I can’t believe he is a puppy!
Thanks so much Bassa and Tall Person! Yes, it’s hard to believe he is a puppy at that size already, but it’s true! I bet Bassa was a pretty big pup too! Thanks for your visit today!
That is one huge puppy. We once had a malamute who was also a large puppy. As for photographing black dogs, I can relate. My Sia’s coat is black and it always threw my meters (camera and handheld) off, so I had to learn to compensate. I really like this shot.
Hi Spiderpaw! He was huge and he was definitely turning some heads in that busy parking lot! I really love the physique of extra-large breeds, but I’ve never had one of the XL dogs – so I’ve just admired them from afar.
I really need to practice on my black dog (Webster) – but he is kind of camera shy, which makes it even more difficult to get a good shot of him. I appreciate you stopping by and your nice comment! And thanks for liking my Facebook page, too!
What a great picture and what a beautiful dog. Very serious look on that sweet face. Hugs
Thanks so much for your visit and nice comment! He did have a serious look on his face, but he was all smiles and wags when I pet him afterwards.
Hugs back!
How I love this photo! I would never have guessed it was taken “yesterday.” Yesteryear would have been my guess. You’re very talented!
Thanks so much for stopping by and for your nice comment! I’m so glad you enjoyed the photo! I love that you see “yesteryear” in it!
I really like this photo. I love how it looks vintage. It almost looks like this dog was running around one of those old rambling English estates.
Hi Literary Tiger! I haven’t see you here before – thanks for visiting and welcome to my blog! And thanks for your nice comment about this photo! I’m glad you see a vintage look in the photo because I see that too. It’s funny that the photo was actually taken in front of a huge strip mall, and there is nothing “vintage” about that!
That is the beauty of photographs, right?
I love looking at animal photography, so I’ll be visiting your blog often!