2016 PHOTOCHALLENGE, WEEK 31: PEOPLE AND ANIMALS – PORTRAITS

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No matter where you live or where you find yourself, there’s always a tight and unique relationship formed between mankind and the animal kingdom.

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Sometimes the bond between two living creatures of two different species can be one at the heart of the greatest friendships. Although we often take pictures, sometimes portraits of our pets, we don’t often take them with our pets.

Cosimo and me. #houndsonthehudson #dogparkplaygroup//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

Here Dylon captured a selfie with his dog, Cosimo. Although this is the quintessential man’s best friend image, it’s but the beginning of our journey as I really want us to go in depth, capturing every aspect of a sane human/animal relationship.

Kaley & Bailey//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

Humans have created strong bonds with horses for many centuries if not thousands of years. Today the importance of horses in people’s lives remains an important cultural aspect in many countries around the world.

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In Mongolia, the Kazakh nomads not only have an strong bond with their horses, but they also have one with Golden Eagles used for hunting. They don’t selfishly use the Eagle, once it has reached sexual maturity, it is returned to the wild to assure future generations of these great hunters.

Falconer//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

Falconry is still alive and strong today, not only with Falcons, but with a variety of birds of prey including Owls. The falconer and the bird of prey often feel united as one in their task.

Douglas Gets Hugged//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

Rescue workers already fond of animals, often develop a unique caring bond with the special creatures they care for.

Chelsea McKinney, #ScienceWoman//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

Sometimes the relationship is purely professional as in this US Fish and Wildlife agent helping preserve our nations wildlife, our natural heritage.

Working Dolphin, K-Dog a Bottle Nose Dolphin leaps out of the water//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

Many animals, just like our canine friends, are enlisted in our military and they to develop unique bonds with their trainers and handlers.

Gran Retrato!!! Carnavales 2011*-*//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

Other times people are just two peas in a pod when it comes to their special furry friends.

This PhotoChallenge is full of opportunities opening the door to creativity and variety, as subjects can vary in all parts of the world. To complete your challenge you will need to have at least one person and one animal in your image. As photographers try and develop your very own style bringing to life these special relationships.

We’ve covered a variety of lighting techniques in our portrait challenges for you to experiment with. Color or monochrome images are all acceptable as you, the photographer, will choose the best possible look for your submission.

The rules are pretty simple:

  • Post one original photograph (Your Image) shot each week per theme posted on this blog to Google+, Facebook, or Flickr (or all three). Tag the photo #photochallenge.org or #photochallenge2016.
  • The shot should be a new shot you took for the current weekly theme, not something from your back catalog or someone else’s image.
  • The posted image should be a photograph, not a video.
  • Don’t leave home without your camera. Participating in the 2016 PhotoChallenge is fun and easy.

 

 

 

 

About Steve Troletti

I'm a Location Scout, Editorial, Nature, Wildlife and Environmental Photographer based in Malibu, California. I specialize in Nature and Urban Nature photography including Infrared Landscapes. The Bulk of my work takes place in the Los Angeles, California area, Greater Montreal Region, Canada, Switzerland, France and Varese in Northern Italy. Ethical wildlife photography is the main priority and focus of my work. A minimum disturbance of the animals, their habitat and the environment is my top priority. This applies as much to total wilderness areas as it does to urban nature environments. Ongoing education of environmental issues and building awareness for the protection of wildlife and wilderness areas around the world is what drives me to document the beauty that surrounds us.