The magazine of the art-form of the photo-essay
“A free, really high quality photo-essay magazine. Fabulous!”
Stephen Fry. British actor, writer and film & documentary maker
September 2013 issue
by Dan Balilty
Dog's Best Friend is a series of portraits that I've been working on for over a year.
When I began taking pictures of people with their dogs, I didn't imagine it would become such a big series.
As a dog lover myself, I simply started taking photographs of friends with their dogs. After a while of doing this I
began to sense there was more to these pictures than just getting a glimpse on different life styles, design and
fashion. I realized that the special connection between Man & Dog brings out the sensitive and good side of man
(tough as he may seem) and that's what comes out in the pictures.
"Kelev" is the Hebrew word for "Dog". It's interesting that the same word also means "Like Heart". In my eyes, this
photo-essay is a glimpse into people's hearts.
Most of the people in the photographs adopted their dogs and are real dog lovers. Each one tells a moving story
about the first meeting between them and their dog.
Dog's Best Friend is in progress towards becoming a book in the future. There are already over fifty portraits, and
my goal is to reach at least 100.
Amit Bakarski, 39 and his kids and goust, 4, in Shaarey Tikva, Israel, Sept. 15, 2012.
Amanda Liebenthal, 30 years old and her dogs Blitz (the big one) is a year and a half
and Vince is around 2, Tel Aviv, Israel, May. 13, 2012.
Adi Ziony 24 years old and her dog Blake, aged 3. Tel Aviv, Israel, May. 15, 2012.
Or Shitrit (left) aged 28, Dafna Bar-el aged 24 and Paco 3 years old, in Ramat Gan,
Israel, May. 12, 2012.
Eynat Rotfus, 36 and Shimshon, 9 in Tel Aviv, Israel, May. 23, 2012.
Hani Genin 83 and Rey Charlos Quinto Chocolate, 4. in Tel Aviv, Israel, Aug. 29, 2012.
Lior Madjar, 39 and Dunam, 6 in Tel Aviv, Israel, May. 5, 2012.
Mark Ronen and Mica in Tel Aviv, Israel, Aug. 27, 2012.
Rachel and Shoko in Tel Aviv, Israel, Sept. 22, 2012.
Sonia 28 and Juan 2.5 in Tel Aviv, Israel, June 16, 2012.
Yael Raban and Toffi in Tel Aviv, Israel, May.17, 2012.
Lihi Kissilevich, 28 and Sizar, 1 month in Tel Aviv, Israel, May. 22, 2012.
Itay, 33 and Yulius, 2 in Tel Aviv, Israel, Aug. 26, 2012.
Anat and Murphy(dog) Tel Aviv. May, 17. 2012.
“After the year of mourning our beloved dog, we looked to find a new companion at an
animal rescue shelter. As we entered the shelter, a young girl approached us. "Do you
know what kind of a dog you are looking for?" she asked. Since I am an opinionated
person, I knew exactly what I was looking for. A female puppy, not older then four or
five months, which will grow to about 90 lbs, and has a long, thick, monochrome fur.
The girl was shocked. "I never got such a specific answer" she replied, "you better look
around, because I don't think we have a puppy that matches your description".
We walked in and pointed at Murphy. "It's about a year old", she said, and I shrugged.
"And it's coat is a total blend of colors". I kept shrugging. "But it's a male!" She cried.
That's OK, I smiled. You can't argue with love at first sight.
“I’m Elad Habaz, I’m 31 and a paramedic. I adopted my female dog " Chroosha" six
months ago from a shelter after they saved her from a cruel fate of dog battles. Now
she enjoys a nice life sharing with me an apartment and a very active life.
Tel Aviv, Israel, Aug. 30, 2012.
