Raising a toast to black dogs
The next in a summer-long series of "Canines & Cocktails" events at the Loew's Annapolis Hotel is in honor of black dogs, and will feature Patricia Black Townsend, who has put together a book called Black is Beautiful, A Celebration of Dark Dogs.
The May 30 event -- to which dogs of all colors are invited -- will benefit various area animal welfare organizations, including the SPCA/Humane Society of Prince George's County.
Townsend said her book is intended to increase awareness of the difficulty black shelter dogs face in getting adopted and to improve their public image.
It's can be ordered online through the website of the SPCA/Humane Society of Prince George's County, to which all proceeds go.
A dog-lover since childhood, Townsend, a writer and amateur photographer, has lived with black dogs for nearly 18 years.
“Of course I’ve always thought my dogs were beautiful, and it never occurred to me that other people wouldn’t think so,” she says. As Townsend became interested in animal welfare and rescue issues, she learned black dogs are the hardest for shelters and rescue organizations to find homes for.
“My goal is to get people to look at black dogs differently,” Townsend explains, “… to appreciate their attractiveness and diversity and to give more thought to adopting a black dog if they’re looking for a new fur friend.”
She also hopes to raise some money for the SPCA/Humane Society of Prince George’s County, a volunteer-run, nonprofit, animal welfare organization for which she has worked as a volunteer for several years.
As it's something a lot of people have trouble with, including me, I asked Townsend for some advice on photographing black dogs. Here's what she said:
"Not being a great "technician" myself, I have to admit there's some luck -- and trial and error -- in getting good photos of black dogs. Unless you have lots of lighting equipment, which I don't, outdoor light is best.
Be aware that digital cameras have trouble dealing with high-contrast images. Bright, indirect light -- as opposed to direct sunlight -- is usually best.
If you are shooting in bright sunlight, it's best to have the sun behind you and get down close to eye level with the dog rather than shooting them from above ... unless you're intentionally trying to capture a special effect with shadows.
And, of course, thanks to the joys of PhotoShop, we now have to capability of controlling images that we never had before ... like lightening a black dog without washing out the lighter background completely; it just takes time and a certain amount of practice and skill."
Comments
Thanks for posting this! I wish I'd known about it earlier - I would love to attend this event, but unfortunately have other plans already. I'll definitely be purchasing the book though, in support of this great cause!
Before Hayle, our "black beauty" mutt, I had no idea of the prejudices that people have against black dogs. People see her walking down the street and cringe or even cross to the other side. The number of times I've been asked by children, "Does your dog bite?" - this is nothing I'd ever experienced with my previous dogs (all of which had been brown).
On the one hand, it is nice to think that I have this extra level of personal security - knowing that people are more hesistant because I am with this big black monster. On the other hand, it doesn't take long for her whole body to wriggle with excitement at the thought that this new person might want to give her loving, and the threat is all over. She's a lover, alright.
Black IS Beautiful.
Posted by: Julie | May 28, 2008 10:31 AM