Photography, Publications
TAKE A SEAT
In this portrait series by Matt Karwen, the eyes have it.
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TAKE A SEAT
Ever since humans have held cameras, we’ve fixed them on our dogs. But since humans have held phones, we’ve been transfixed by our dogs. #dogsofinstagram has more than 82 million images. #cakesofinstagram is at a measly two million. The proliferation of dog pics caught the eye and interest of Berlin-based photographer Matt Karwen, who decided to create something different: A series of portraits that eschews humanising or caricaturing its four-legged subjects.
Karwen’s images are beautifully composed and complex: stoic, posed, candid, personal. Each subject stares straight into the camera. No panting. No costumes. Just dog. It’s unlike any portrait series we’ve seen, and it wasn’t easy to create. “The most difficult task was to drag the dogs attention without making them too excited,” Karwen explains. “When capturing them so closely, every single deviance can ruin the picture. One rule was a 100 percent straight look into the camera, which is not a natural behaviour of a dog, especially if there’s a guy with a black block in front!”
The black block did the trick. Karwen has turned the series into a book, Sit, featuring an extended posse of nonchalant dogs. The book is out now. We’re excited.
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All images courtesy of Matt Karwen
mattkarwen.com
@sit_series
CELEBRATING FIVE YEARS
A heartfelt thank you to all the photographers, artists, illustrators, and writers who trusted us, dived in, and brought us delight, grace, excitement, courage, wilderness, and wonder over the last five years. Their work not only reflects the bonds we share with our animal companions, it also celebrates their spirit.
None of this would be possible without our four-legged counterparts who sprinkle magic dust time and time again, and our readers, who embraced this kooky idea, rallied around us, and made this world theirs too. With friends like these, who needs nine lives?
February 5, 2019
DOG HOUSE
In his illustrated zine, Dog House, Ken Kagami revisits his playful obsession with Snoopy.
July 12, 2020
A VERY CANINE LIFE
Under the moniker Mestizaa, photographer Maider Sierra sees all her subjects as equal, whether standing on four legs or two.
July 2, 2020
SHARED EXPERIENCE
‘Don’t You Want Me’ documents the resilience of the LGBTQ community and their rescue dogs.
June 23, 2020
THE CALL OF THE WILD
Harrison Ford has taken on a role that was portrayed in the past by Clark Gable, Charlton Heston, and Rutger Hauer before him: the character John Thornton in the latest cinematic adaptation of Jack London’s 1903 novel The Call of the Wild. John Thornton becomes a human companion to Buck, the big St Bernard-Scotch collie mix who’s the heart of the story. The two meet in Yukon, Canada during the 1890s Klondike Gold Rush, and head off on an adventure into the great unknown together. Interestingly, Buck was portrayed using motion capture by Terry Notary, who you might recognise from that dinner scene in 2017’s Palme d’Or winning film The Square. Watch The Call of the Wild on Google Play, iTunes, and more.
Click here to watch video
June 17, 2020
STRICTLY FOR MY D.O.G.S.
Steven Janson’s illustrated character pays tribute to 90s icons and the memory of his best friend, Wolf.
June 7, 2020
THE DOG’S CORNER
D0gh0use at Newrybar Merchants: a tiny place with a big (dog) heart.
April 23, 2020
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