Less is more
I began this series of half face portraits back in 2010, with my own dog WolfCub, a Belgian Shepherd. Β Entitled Mr Wolf (Cub), the first image you see, on a boldΒ red background, with his ‘wolfish’ smile, immediately creates associations with the folk tale ‘Little Red Riding Hood’. Emotional responses to this image from viewers have ranged from humorous, and powerful, to a feeling of threat. The half face portrait is immediately interesting because of it’s focus on the eye, by what is revealed and concealed. It creates a different mood. In a way, less is more – the gaze more direct, confronting. What were these animals feeling? What are the stories behind their expressions? What of our own contexts do we project on to them? Image number 7 shows a beautiful Rhodesian Ridgeback X, shortly before her death. Of course sharing that information changes how we look at her. With their direct eye contact, the dogs and cats portrayed here show a range of moods and expressions. And in gazing so intently back at the viewer, it seems a question about the nature of the relationship between human and animal is also being asked of us.
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fantastic photography the color and composition is stunning
cheers Kari!
Love the Belgian with the turned down face in th 10th pic. The half shot does provoke more thought. No comment on the other breeds since I don’t know them. But what you have shown of the Belgian is unreal! There’s a dog show in Kansas that features an art show as part of the event .. It is one of the premier shows in the country gathering more exhibitors than Westminster and features all of the events that the AKC endorses. You need to send something to this! It is the Sunflower Cluster held around March. I am a huge Mike Sibley fan. What he did with a pencil, you have won me over with your lens.
Thank you for your comment Sharon. That’s my boy WolfCub in the 1st and 10th place π
Such a fantastic collection!! I find them to be much more intimate…. great work as always Kirsten!!
cheers Lynn, thank you for your visit π
i love these images … they are so unique and special, and they all seem to show deeper than normal levels of the portrayed ones.
Just wonderful photography – and a gorgeous idea, to open this blog!!
Hi Margareta, you worked out how to comment. Thank you π
Well done Kirsten. These photo’s are so great, the half face really does give you a different perspective.
Hello Jo, nice to have a visit from you π
WOW WOW WOW what incredible images and a wonderful way to kick off your blog. So looking forward to more insights, themes and images. Congratulations!
cheers Kerryn! π
Fabulous and minimal, Kirsten!
Hi Sharon, lovely to have a visit from you!
Great read… Can’t wait to learn more of your insights Kirsten.
cheers Craig π
From Sandra Farrell. I absolutely love your pictures! I am especially fond of Wolfcub. I look forward to pictures and stories from you & Wolfcub and your travels everyday. It brightens my day and gives me something beautiful to look forward to. I am a cancer survivor in remission for 4 yrs. , I have also suffered a fall and have had 7 herniated discs in my back and neck. I have been going through surgeries for the last 2 years.. I live with chronic pain and depression. Your work is an inspiration to me. It makes my quality of life better. It brings me so much joy!! I can’t wait until your book comes out! I will be first in line to buy it. Just wanted to tell you, your work and Wolfcub are amazing. I am so glad I just happened to stumble on to a picture and story from you.β‘β‘β‘β‘β‘
You could not have paid me a higher compliment Sandra. Sometimes all we can do is keep on keeping on. May your struggles lesson and take care of yourself.
They are amazingly different aspects and yet powerful images. Your photographic ideas are so amazing.
As many others said, yo rocked this. It’s something that goes beyond what’s normal or standard. I love your work. Sincerely, Miguel.
Hello Miguel, thank you for that lovely compliment π
Omg your images are just stunning one of them reminds me of my own dog. Your an inspiration to all with your talent. I aspire to be able to take great photographs like you one day
Thank you Karajean. Just keep practicing your photography π
I. Was the one who wrote the comment about how dogs are so expressive without eyebrows ect. And that you rocked this. But i showed as anonymous. Ill try again to post my name lol..this is Wolf Shdow. π
hello then Wolf Shdow π
Just stunning <3 You always manage to capture the animals spirit…
thanks Sabine π
Great photos but there’s no doubt the shepherds lend themselves to this style more than anything. And of course the wolves.
No wolves here Felicity, these are all dogs of one kind or another. Thanks for your visit π
As always incredible
Thanks Raven. Love your profile pic! π
I love your work and my son l follow you on Facebook …very inspirational π
thank you π
I love your work and follow you on Facebook…and my on does too..I love the half face pics…very inspirational π
cheers Belinda, thanks for the ongoing support and spreading the word π
I love your photography and I like your half faces pics ! I follow you on Facebook and my son does too…great work…very inspirational π
thank you π
As long as i can remember I’ve been fascinated by the depth of communication a Dog can achieve without eyebrows or other traditional features. You raised the intensity ..as you.said. Less is more. Wow You rocked this
thanks so much for that lovely observation π
I just love your work…of course, as the owner of Belgian Sheepdogs, a Tervuren and a Schipperke, I am biased! The half-face series is awesome!
thanks Kathy, you have a fabulous animal menagerie!
Beautiful! I get lost in the photos.
thank you π
You do the Most Amazing shots.. I love to see Wolfcub.. He is so magnificent and beautiful.. Love your work.
thanks for the feedback Kim! π
Excellent work as always……. and they make you pause and look and then return…. Thank you for sharing with us all
Hi Anne, I appreciate your visit and comment π
Wonderful pics! I follow your work on facebook, always enjoying love. happiness and pure joy of life bursting from your photographs. Thank you for sharing your magic with all of us π
Hey Sandra, thanks so much for your comment! π
Thank you for sharing π
Beautiful work ! I love this idea π
hello Julie, thanks for your visit and comment π
Well Kirsten, you know already that I am a huge admirer of your work To see all these half face portraits increases that admiration ten-fold. They are inspirational, beautiful and thought provoking. My favourites (apart from Wolf Cub), are the golden coloured cat and the poodle – I love the way its ear fur fans out to fill the frame.
Hey Karen, that is so lovely of you to say! That poodle shot is one of my all time faves too π
Thoughtprovoking and beautiful as always.
Thank you Gunhild, nice to have a visit from you π
NIcely done Kirsten!
hey Nicholas, thanks for the visit! π
Love the pictures! Each one is touching and I find myself trying to read what the eye is trying to tell me.
Hey Ruth, thanks for your visit and comment π
A really beautifull collection! And, yes, one can feel the intensity of those eyes!
cheers Patricia, thanks for taking the time to leave me a comment π
Glad you have started a blog. We are making a major move from southern Michigan (Kalamazoo) to northern Wisconsin on Lake Superior. Your photos of Wolf Cub have been an inspiration and I hope to capture photos of my own Tervuren (Cassie) to share. I will follow your musings.
Thanks Judy. Why don’t you post a pic of Cassie on my facebook page? Would love to see her π
Some of my favorites from you. Really brings out their personalities & soul through their eyes. Lovely work, you truly inspire me Kirsten.
thank you π
Didn’t mean to be anonymous…Stephanie =)
I never tire of seeing your beautiful photography, Kirsten. Keep up the great work, especially with Cub. I wish you every success with your exhibition later in the year. Helene.
Thanks Helene, I appreciate that so much π
Amazing!one can see the emotions in the eyes ..thank you for your talent and shares π
cheers Sue, thanks so much for that π
Fantastic! Glad to visit you here and on Facebook.
good on you Barb, nice to have a visit from you π
I love your half face portraits! Fabulous as always. I feel in many of them the soul of the animal. Keep up the amazing work.
Hello Denise, thanks so much for the feedback. Hope you and all the furries are well! π
I’ve loved this series from the start Kirsten. Beautiful work.
Thanks so much Paul for your ongoing support π
These pics are awesome! It really gives a different perspectives! Love it
Hey Sylvia, so glad you like them. Thanks for your visit π
So beautiful
Hi Charmaine, thank you for your visit and comment π
I love the focus on the face and the look, fantastic Kirsten
Outstanding work as always Kirsten.
Thanks Breda, appreciate your visit π