An excerpt from William Wegman: Puppies

In honor of a photo shoot WW did last week with a group of young subjects, we're reprinting an excerpt from William Wegman: Puppies, about the first time he photographed Fay's puppies: 

"Photographing puppies in the first two weeks is simple. Just set them down, or up, and shoot. Group them together in various formations. Watch them flow into one another – one organism, seeking heat and its mother’s scent. Their eyes don’t open until they are about two weeks old. Fay didn’t mind me photographing her and her puppies. She looked sweet and slightly cross-eyed, high on life.

She did, however, pay close attention whenever I took a puppy away for a picture. As long as they were in view, Fay was okay. But separating one from the rest was upsetting to the puppies. They needed to be returned quickly to their mates…….

 At a couple of days old, the puppies were more alien than cute. Their tiny footpads and flip-tab ears made them look like cheaply made vinyl toys. Their ears were sealed shut, as were their soft, bulging eye sockets. And they were striped! These markings were to fade to gray in three days, which is typical, but at that moment, when I first began to photograph them, the puppies were the most beautiful velvety gray with silver stripes running down their backs."

 

 

Photographs courtesy Kimberly M. Wang/ eardog.com

Comments

[Crystal Loke]

That little spotted Weim is my new pack member - Gunny.
I hope you don't mind but I posted the bottom picture on my FB.
If there is anyway I can get my hands on the photos that Mr. Wegman took of Gunny, I would be most appreciative. I have been a long time fan of his ... and a long time Weim owner.

[Donna (Drew) Baines]

Hi Cuz,

I am really enjoying all of your posts. Hope all is well with you and yours.

[Mike Horlick]

Your work always amazes me and you love and patience with an awesome breed. Keep up the great work.

[Positive K9 Training]

Gorgeous photography work :)