PHOTOGRAPH INFO

Jakey adopted a puppy a couple of weeks ago; she's an adorable mixed breed named Amber. I've been bugging Jakey for a family portrait and he finally conceded this afternoon, the first break he's had this week from working at the Thaler dairy farm.

Dog portrait advice: If you make silly whistling noises before you take the picture, most dogs will look right at the camera. :)

I think everyone in town has tried to get Jakey to shave off that ridiculous beard but he hasn't budged yet. You might compare his current face to this portrait I took earlier in the year:

http://www.durhamtownship.com/blog-archives/003163.html

Sorry, Helena and Richard! I keep trying! :)

Post-processing: Shot with the Canon EOS 5D and the Canon 85mm f/1.2L lens at f/5, 1/400s, ISO 400. Curves adjustments and color balancing.

Thank you for visiting Durham Township!

--Kathleen

This is a spectacular portrait! Beautifully done! Makes me lust for the 85 f/1.2L and a bit more talent.

Beautiful portrait, Kathleen. New pups are wonderful, but oh can they be a handful! They're kind of like having a toddler without diapers and that chew on everything.

If Jakey's anything like me, the best way to get him to keep his beard is to keep pestering him about it. If you want him to loose it, then ignore it and it will be gone in a little while. Some of us guys are weird like that.

I almost rolled off the chair from laughing so
hard about the looks on the dog's faces They
must have been wondering why the silly whistling
noises were going on. And there's Jakey looking
like his serious self. Great family portrait
Kathleen.

A beautiful photo with feeling. I love it.

This makes me laugh, in a good way.

The age difference in the dogs is great...

I think the Metallica hat + the addition of the beard really goes hand in hand!

I love the colours and the detail - you really know how to use that 5D and that 85mm lens to capture atmosphere as well as detail.

Give Jakey a playful tug on his Bucks County goatee for me...only he could get away with that one and still be a cutie! Oh, and the pups are pretty darn sweet too. Great Autumnal Portrait--love the colors and quality of light. Beautiful.

very nice portrait... they all look very ready for the pic... seems like a family portrait... ;)
nice colors as well.

Beautiful light & color.

I would have taken Jakey for a practical fellow, probably just wants to keep his chin warm this winter. I am surprised though, to find that his interest in heavy metal goes beyond farm equipment.....better a yellow and green toboggan, but that's just me--I'd take Chet Atkins jammin' with Mark Knofler over Metalica any day.

The Autumn touches are perfect. The expressions are perfect. The soft light is perfect for skin tones and shadow detail. The balance of that gorgeous piece of "light metal" architecture and the autumn view around the corner is ideal.

When you framed this, were you watching the balance of the shirt/sky whites and getting a comfortable spacing between the power pole and the edge of the building? There is a lot of balance going on here. Deceptively simple?

Thanks to the trio for sitting still, and Kathleen for another balancing act!

A fine shot. I think when Jakey gets a little more gray in that beard he'll look almost as distinguished as Bailey.

This is a terrific portrait. Truly wonderful.

I see a lot of those kinds of beards around these days. It must be a trend.

I think he looks better without it too. Maybe you should start a petition/poll about Jakey's beard?

Of course Russ makes a very good point.

He's emulating James Hetfield.

I blame any hearing loss I have today on metallica.

If he takes off the hat the beard might seem his own.

Beautiful portrait work here.

When you look in their eyes, you see right into their souls. Are they so different, The man from the dogs? Dogs are more loyal than people and superior as companions. They don't pass judgment on your thoughts but are always by your side giving you comfort. If you want to run, they will run, want to jump, they will jump, want to howl at the moon, brother will they howl! So whether you are chasing a stick or chasing a dream, set your teeth and hang on!

I love the tilt of heads in that picture - Jakey & the black dog - Sweet!

It is great to traverse through your photos from the recent to the older and see how your subjects age. The comparison of Amber in this photo to one of your later photos with her on the tractor with Jake is amazing. Thank you very much for your work.