Dog Park Noir

Brooklyn photographer Michael Crouser sure has captured the dark side of New York's dog parks. The images are for his new book of photography called Dog Run, and a selection of them will be on display at the Gallery FCB through the month of October. Crouser relayed one story from a dog park to us, in which the pug you'll see in the images is the protagonist.

This little pug kept barking at me, and following me around, so eventually I turned my camera on him...he picked a distance that he liked to bark from, but it was just inches too close for me to focus on him. If I backed away he moved toward me the exact same distance and kept barking. I tried again, and again he moved with me...soon people were laughing at our little dog and camera show as we shuffled across the park. I finally figured out that if I moved toward him he would back away, just into range, so I could get one or two shots before he reestablished his fighting distance. This went on for about five minutes...until I had shot a whole roll of him looking earnestly and protectively and barkingly into the eye of the 300mm alien, which he very obviously didn't care for.

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By Jen Carlson in Arts & Entertainment on September 27, 2008 6:30 PM

Comments [rss]

NannyState

Looks like Wall Street these days...with the pooper scoopers.

Tails

Edge, I don't think that you understand the mechanics of photography. The pug was moving TOO CLOSE for him to focus. EVERY lens has a minimum focus range and that 300m probably has a far one, probably around 5 feet. As such, the pug was too close and the lens couldn't focus, thus, the photographer tried to move away but the pug kept on moving closer.

Easy on the exasperation... Jeez!?!?

The Edge

He couldn't focus with a 300mm lens?!?

300mm!?

You can focus on something at least half a block away with a 300mm lens!

cucarachita

I like a nice, resilient dog that's easy to hide. Mine was cat-sized, but she was unbreakable and could deal with anything. I made sure of that! She did not like dog runs, though, and much preferred people to dogs, herself. I personally don't love dogs, but I loved her! All other dogs, yuck! Badly raised, for the most part!

FelixtheCat & Christine Quinn'

Look like kids in the playground, some are docile, some are aggressive, some are bullies and some are funny. I love big dogs.

Snoopy

Good dog. Sit and stay.

Dogs are reflections of their owner's personality for the most part. Personally I prefer big dogs, the bigger the better. They tend to be mellow and non aggressive, and a lot easier on one's ankles.

Rfive

I hate dogs and most dog owners.

Amanda Harletsch

What is really incredible is that dogs seem to have many times more compassion than humans.

handsomedevil

Some of these make it seem almost incredible that these animals share our homes and beds.

Yeah I know, they are domesticated wolves. But the bed part is actually optional, you know. ;)

Snoopy

If he attacked you perhaps you should have kicked it. A jury member would find you not guilty and you would be off to kick more dogs as you see fit.