Photography, Publications
REALLY GOOD DOGS
Photographer Randal Ford’s fierce clarity draws dogs’ personality to the fore to reveal each animal’s “true essence”.
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REALLY GOOD DOGS
Randal Ford’s Good Dog arrived just in time. Landing on shelves in the second half of 2020, when the world was racked with worry, drained and weary, looking for something beyond banana bread to lift its spirits. The book’s subject matter—unbeknownst to them—had assumed new, profound responsibilities during global lockdowns. They’d become the glue holding parts of us together. They’d become the stars of TikToks. They’d become a comforting source of calm and steadiness amid chaos. They were good dogs deserving of Ford’s hardback tribute.
Ford is renowned for the fierce clarity of his photography. His work possesses a hyper-real quality that draws you in and has you thinking ‘that can’t be real’. But it is, and it’s achieved through a gruelling process of precision, persistence, premium-quality equipment and “arduous” post-production:
“I focus on technical aspects such as precise lighting, colouring and captivating textures, working meticulously on studio lighting, composition and post-processing techniques.” It’s a method that draws each animal’s personality to the fore, like a veil has been lifted and the animal’s “true essence”, as Ford describes it, becomes unmissably obvious. Personalities shine through—mischievous, kind eyed, mysterious, poised, playful—crystal clear and captivating.
It feels deep. Like you’re absorbing, from one image, the multitude of lessons that dogs teach us. Ford’s own hound, Rosie, reminds him daily of life’s most valuable lessons: “Her personality is kind and gentle, reminding us to treat each other and those around us the same. Like many dogs, she is slow to anger and quick to forgive, something we should all aspire to be.”
Good Dog is published by Rizzoli and is available to purchase via Ford’s website and makes an unbeatably perfect gift for the dog lover in your life.
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All images courtesy of Randal Ford
randalford.art
@randalford
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