Old photographer running in NYC after shaggy dog!

NY_Dan

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Sometimes one has to laugh at themselves. I know I do -- and justifiably so. Last week I was walking with my 1961 Rolleiflex on 8th Avenue and 37th Street in New York City. As I waited for the light to turn green this car passed me. In the back seat, with his head out the rear window was the cutest shaggy dog. When he spotted me, it seemed as though he were posing for my camera. I quickly tried to get the shot, and just as I was about to shoot, the car moved forward a few feet -- typical crosstown traffic. The weird thing was that because the image is reversed left to right in my magnified finder, it looked and felt to me like the car was moving backwards. This set-up, get ready, about to shoot and car moves happened about four more times. I was really getting frustrated. Then the traffic cleared and the car was able to move about ten-yards. So I chased after it and was about to shoot again, when the car was able to drive away to the corner of 9th Avenue almost a long full block away.

Not to be denied I started running after the car. This was the man chases car/dog role-reversal. I guess every dog really does have his day. Remember the old OJ - Hertz rental car commercials from the 70's -- where OJ's running through the airport, jumping over hurdles and dodging people? Well that's what it was like for me, but like the Special Olympics for older photographers. Finally a huffing and a puffing I reach the car and tried to shoot, but the running and the cold temperature had made my eyes water, and I could hardly focus the camera. I got off two shots. The dog seemed quite amused, and was not only a good sport, but an excellent model. In fact, the dog was a better model than any human model I've ever shot. For real. Here's the shot f/125th at f/5.6 TMY 120)

1059819.jpg
 
Well Dan, you aren't the only one! Thirty or so years ago I was driving down the freeway when I spotted a car with a large poodle with it's head out through the open sunroof. Not only that, but the dog had on a pair of sunglasses. I accelerated to catch up. There was a lady, also with sunglasses, driving the car. When I got home and told my wife about it she said she knew who it was. Seems these folks live in our neighborhood, and we know them, but I surely didn't recognize the wife in sunglasses.
Can't remember if I had a camera and got a shot or not. It's just been too long ago.
 
Well Dan, you aren't the only one! Thirty or so years ago I was driving down the freeway when I spotted a car with a large poodle with it's head out through the open sunroof. Not only that, but the dog had on a pair of sunglasses. I accelerated to catch up. There was a lady, also with sunglasses, driving the car. When I got home and told my wife about it she said she knew who it was. Seems these folks live in our neighborhood, and we know them, but I surely didn't recognize the wife in sunglasses.
Can't remember if I had a camera and got a shot or not. It's just been too long ago.

What were you smoking? 🙂 Poodle AND a driver both wearing sunglasses! That's a royal flush -- you win! Being that your wife knew them, I bet you were tempted to have them recreate the scene. What kind of sunglasses do poodles wear? My pug likes Maui Jim or RayBans.
 
Great snap and great story.
Dogs always know when you shoot them..Camera only 😀.
Wonder if driver knew you were in pursuit?
Look forward to "Person of Interest".
I never thought one shooting often with a Rollei,
would have the problem of direction.
The lateral thing.
I thought it was reserved for me.
 
Great snap and great story.
Dogs always know when you shoot them..Camera only 😀.
Wonder if driver knew you were in pursuit?
Look forward to "Person of Interest".
I never thought one shooting often with a Rollei,
would have the problem of direction.
The lateral thing.
I thought it was reserved for me.


The lateral thing -- I get the same kind of dizzy feeling when I'm in a train that's not moving, and a train next to me starts moving in the opposite direction -- it makes me feel like I'm moving. Otherwise, the lateral thing through the finder doesn't bother me much.
 
Well Dan, sorry you had to breathe hard to get it - but - beautiful dog, nice shiny car w/ fortuitous reflections, and a quite nice photo of it all. I think it was worth the sprint. Suspect you do also.
 
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