Animal Photography with Ruth Marcus

In this film animal photographer Ruth Marcus discusses her amazing work and her unique approach toward working with her favorite animals.

Marcus became a photographer professionally about 5 years ago. Having been formally educated in medical surgery, the way to becoming a photographer was not always a clearly defined one. She worked for years as a medical surgeon before deciding that photography was what she wanted to do, and she made the decision to give it one hundred percent. Initially she began shooting and encountered a few “beginners setbacks”. But this did not discourage her so she continued full throttle, creating some stunning pictures that eventually led to her first book deal. At a photography convention in Berlin, a publisher from a well-known publishing house approached her and remarked on her photographs of dogs. The publisher was immediately enthralled by her unique style and offered her a book project, which was later titled “Dog Moments”. After this point Marcus was clear that not only was she on her way to becoming a professional photographer, but a photographer with a very unique style with an uncanny way of presenting her perspective.

Throughout the film Marcus shares many of her favorite tricks and techniques, as well as her favorite camera systems she likes to work with. Also of importance is that she swears by “Photoshop” and all it has to offer photographers, or the term she likes so well “photo-graphic artists”. Most likely, her love of Photoshop is due to the fact that she has met the Photoshop Guru himself, Doc Bauman. This meeting has definitely left an impression on Marcus and she continues to be inspired by him today.

Marcus also discusses her style of photography, saying, “Technical perfection is not important, the idea is…the soul of the photograph itself”. But it is clear when we look at her work, she definitely has mastered her technique marvelously. Her clean, crisp backgrounds and stark emotions from the animals she photographs harmonize in synchronicity, sometimes the animals reminiscent of movie stars.

What is most pleasing is to watch Marcus playing her harmonica to urge the dogs to yowl for a photo. It is not surprising to see her join right in, yowling in unison with her dog. She feels that photographing animals is all about intimacy and distance. She builds up a high level of trust with her subjects, giving us image after beautiful image.