As has been said every dog has his day but not until the insightful Tim Flach have dogs been captured in extraordinary photos capturing not only our best friends at rest, at work, and at play but also revealing the deep affection we have for them. As Blackwell writes, "There's a bond we have with the dog that goes beyond all other animals." How true!
Tim Flach's photography is a work of art with each photo bringing the viewer close to the subject. It's difficult to describe the intimacy one feels. A Pug with startling blue eyes and endearingly wrinkled face gazes directly into the eyes of the viewer. Impossible not to love him! A proud German Shepherd looks trustingly from the page, a reminder that this breed is often a police or search-and-rescue dog. A honey colored Labrador Retriever pup with his snub nose and silky floppy ears is titled "Say You Love Me." Of course, we do!
Precisely lit and thoughtfully cropped these photos are sheer beauty - a black Lab, Sadie, is shown with the prestigious Dickin Medal around her neck. The Medal was given for "conspicuous gallantry or devotion to duty" while working with the British armed forces. Sadie's ebony coat gleams with the luster of midnight. A Golden Retriever's love of water is expressed in succeeding photos as the happy dog shakes water from his russet coat.
"Information" at the back of the volume provides details about each dog photographed . DOGS is 216 pages of pure pleasure, a volume that will be enjoyed over and over again.
Highly recommended.
- Gail Cooke