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Product Description
The exuberant, exhilarating photographs of dogs underwater that have become a sensationFrom the water's surface, it's a simple exercise: a dog's leap, a splash, and then a wet head surfacing with a ball, triumphant.
But beneath the water is a chaotic ballet of bared teeth and bubbles, paddling paws, fur and ears billowing in the currents. From leaping Lab to diving Dachshund, the water is where a dog's distinct personality shines through; some lounge in the current, paddling slowly, but others arch their bodies to cut through the water with the focus and determination of a shark.
In more than eighty portraits, award-winning pet photographer and animal rights activist Seth Casteel captures new sides of our old friends with vibrant underwater photography that makes it impossible to look away. Each image bubbles with exuberance and life, a striking reminder that even in the most loveable and domesticated dog, there are more primal forces at work. In Underwater Dogs, Seth Casteel gives playful and energetic testament to the rough-and-tumble joy that our dogs bring into our lives.
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Top Reviews
Very nice, but the images could be largerby Moris (4 out of 5 stars)
December 9, 2012
The idea is of taking underwater pix of dogs is revolutionary and the purchase is certainly worth it. Yet, my mistake, I hadn't realized that the book's dimensions do not allow any larger picture. Double-page images being cut right in the middle due to the binding, the pictures appear less beautiful than they could.
Great photos- but they need to republish it with photos off-centered so the dogs' faces can be seen!
by nomdeplume (4 out of 5 stars)
December 8, 2012
This book has some very funny and beautiful photographs of these dogs. It is one of those books that is not only good for the intended recipient, but also will entertain any guests one may have.
One issue I had with this book was the layout. Some photos are centered, which means that due to the binding the photos are essentially disfigured by the layout. You can't see the whole expression of the dog, despite the fact it was enlarged around two pages for the purpose of highlighting that photo. Other photos were off-center, or covered one page, which made it much more fitting for the format.
If they would change the centering so that photos were not cut off by the binding, or bind it differently, that would improve the quality of the printing and make all the photographs equally visible.
A Fish Out of Water Book With a Twist -- A Furry Tail Reminiscent of a Wet Wegman
by John McPhee (5 out of 5 stars)
February 7, 2013
The photographer, Seth Casteel, specializes as a pet photographer in LA and Chicago. His reputation rests upon this sub-specialization, pun intended, Underwater Dogs. It is his first book and is highly successful. Dogs, humor and great photos make it a winner reminiscent of Wegman's innovations.
He understands dogs and their wildly expressive enthusiasm for chasing balls and fearless water play. This is physical humor with a heart. You get to see it all so clearly because he also demonstrates the skills and knowledge to light his moving subjects under water and what a particular lens' focal length matched with the right point of view can capture what matters the most in a fraction of a second. He distills that one moment out of the many in each dive. He has convinced both natural breeds and unusual breeds to "go for it". Fun meets trust. Thankfully, he also is skilled in how to control tone, color, contrast and depth of field masterfully to complement the composition and intentional distortion of the subject. He solves complicated problems and has a good eye.
However, in general, this is not an entirely new creative genre. The more established William Wegman is the undisputed pioneer and creative master of humor, gesture and novelty photography using dogs. Consequently, there is already an existing market for anything adorable and humorous with dogs that steps beyond dogs posed for simple calendar shots. Casteel's version has a Wegman in space effect. The pool provides a way for the dogs to defy gravity while still allowing natural distortions created by water resistance from the force of the dive. The result pulls and parts various flaps and folds of the dogs' faces. This allows for the unexpected and highly expressive to surprise us and to distinguish each dive from the others. Casteel, like Wegman, understands the crux is the power of gesture, and that the unexpected or unusual sells. I think Casteel has far better craft than Wegman, although Wegman does not rely upon matters of craft. But Casteel is absolutely dependent upon it and thankfully for us, has complete control over everything except the magic born in the singular moment itself. Casteel is not trying to be Wegman, does make elaborate set-ups, props or wardrobe, and instead has carved out his own "underwater dog guy" identity quite well. Both photographers succeed wonderfully for their own reasons.
Since Casteel is also partly based in Chicago I am hoping for my own reasons he might figure out a way to do a book that relates to our city. Maybe shots of dogs diving through ice fishing holes on Lake Michigan can contrast with southern Californian pools. They might chase loaded Bowser Dogs instead of balls.
I have given this book as a gift to several friends with happy results. It also happens to be well printed for a very modest price. I think it is a steal.
Underwater Monsters ...
by DACHokie (5 out of 5 stars)
January 24, 2013
While I generally do not purchase picture books, I found the unique subject matter (dogs photographed underwater) quite alluring and decided to buy a copy of UNDERWATER DOGS ... now, I can't put it down.
Seth Casteel has put together a fascinating and revealing portfolio of photographs of dogs at play ... underwater. The head-on/in-your-face pictures are quite amazing and they certainly elicit a wide range of reactions. Casteel offers a different perspective of how seriously and aggressively dogs approach the simple task of playing fetch. Wide-eyed, wide-mouthed and baring some wicked teeth, many of the dogs come across as furry sharks, sea-monsters or even aliens when shown underwater ... much different than the happy little fuzz ball flopped-out on your floor. The book certainly delivers on the author's desire to reveal the wolf-roots of the domesticated dog. Adding to the book's appeal, Casteel doesn't settle on presenting readers a predictable portfolio of "water-dogs" (Retrievers)... Bulldogs, Dachshunds and even a Chihuahua are among those breeds represented. The best part of UNDERWATER DOGS, however, is the final chapter that has out-of-the-water "mug-shots" of all the dogs photographed throughout the book ... talk about Jekyll and Hyde.
UNDERWATER DOGS is a great book that will surely generate smiles, chuckles and quite a few "OMGs!"; A must-have for dog lovers.
AN INSTANT CURE FOR THE BLUES!
by gbv4me (5 out of 5 stars)
November 18, 2014
Whether you are a fan of photography or just a huge dog-lover like myself, you MUST own this book! Seth Casteel has captured the best action photos of dogs possible: jumping clumsily into water searching for their toy with pure determination in their eyes! So cute it hurts, no lie. As soon as I received it we passed it around the work office, and you could hear everyone laughing out loud as they flipped through the pages. So if you're having a "ruff" day and need a reason to smile, pull this book out! It's an amazing anti-depressant no matter what life's throwing at you.
Dogs + Water
by artfulusedbooks (5 out of 5 stars)
October 21, 2013
I assume dogs have ALWAYS looked like this when they are diving & playing in the water. Now, Seth Casteel has captured for us views that have never been seen before. After a 1-page introduction, each turn of a page shows a photo of a dog looking into water or diving under the surface pursuing a toy. Each dog is identified by name, breed, & age. One looks like a shark, one looks like a donkey, others look like alligators. Nearly all have their eyes wide open, the better to follow a ball or other toy. Some appear goofy (like the dog on the cover), some appear scary, all are intensely focused.
A word about the layout of the book: of the 90 pictures, only 10 have the binding crease touching a dog's face. I didn't feel this was bothersome.
I wondered what the dogs looked like when they were not under water. At the back are small b&w headshots taken when the dogs were sitting pretty for the camera on dry land.
I don't know whether I will look through this book over & over again. But my life is richer now that I have seen these photos.
Underwater Dogs LOVE It..
by Pat (5 out of 5 stars)
November 24, 2012
I first saw images of these dogs on the internet (AOL pages) and thought they were hilarious....or scary in some cases. I sent the article to family and friends, then when I found the book on Amazon I couldn't resist, ordered 6 for Christmas gifts. My nephew inmate got his immediately and loved it, said he would like to have seen more pictures so if another book comes out I will definitely order it! The other 5 books are going to be sent to other family members and I'm sure they will all be as happy as my nephew when they open their gift. Thank you so much for this amazing, funny, cute, scary photo book! Absolutely love it, and yes...I did "preview" one of the remaining 5 that are being sent to others!! Sure hope another book is in progress and wondering if there is a calendar "out there somewhere" with these fascinating photos?? Thank you, thank you, perfect book, perfect gift!
So cute
by Dmpls (5 out of 5 stars)
April 13, 2019
I just love the photos in this book! I got this as a Christmas gift for a dog lover and it was a huge hit. Everyone was looking through it and laughing/enjoying these dogs. Love that there is also information on the dogs in here. Great book for anyone who loves dogs and loves silly dogs.
Outstanding gift for dog lovers- even if to yourself!
by Matt L.,Top Contributor: Woodworking (5 out of 5 stars)
February 24, 2016
If you are looking for an outstanding gift for a dog lover, these books are the ticket. You'll get smiles and even tears (if the lover is more of and obsessed with dogs person, don't ask me how I know) when you give these as gifts. The quality of the pictures and printing is outstanding, there are many different breeds and it's a great coffee table conversation piece as well.
This book is simply wonderful!
by Jennifer (5 out of 5 stars)
May 31, 2019
I bought this for a friend of mine for her birthday, and not only did she love it, but I could not resist flipping through it the night before I gave it to her! The pictures are hysterically funny. I might just have to get a copy for myself...
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