Like so lots of other folks, Jeff Eichen uncovered his livelihood upended by the COVID-19 pandemic.
But doggone it, he thinks he’s discovered a alternative.
Eichen, a Port Townsend resident, is a digital artist, instructor and specialist photographer.
But with the pandemic leaving most people staying at house, Eichen included, he’s revising his photograph organization by bringing canine into the act.
Simply call it a focus on Fido, a mug of Marley, or a shot for Place.
With COVID lockdowns continuing, Eichen has expanded his photographic repertoire to include virtual picture sittings with the on-site shoots he commonly does.
“Now that I’m right here and we’re locked down, I made a decision to develop the virtual photoshoot, the place I display screen seize from your gadget your family, your puppy, your cat, your fishbowl.”
“Then, with my encounter of 30 several years of Photoshop, I edit it into a wonderful photograph that can go to canvas, metallic or paper print or card,” Eichen explained.
Identified as “Dog Photographs,” the new way of shooting is an try at adapting to keep his business enterprise going, he explained, “trying to switch over each stone in the course of COVID.”
“It’s all constructed all around … making an attempt to determine out how to make a residing in a modest city wherever we’re dealing with COVID,” he reported.
“I’m an inventor by character,” Eichen explained. “It’s enabling me to open up the doorway of inventing one thing new during a time in which anything appears to be to be just dragging.”
HISTORIC SNAPSHOT
Eichen was born in Fullerton, California in April 1958. His father was a sculptor and architect his mom, an interior designer.
His history is in artwork images, and Eichen’s early days at the rear of a digicam consists of time as a teenager at 1 of Ansel Adam’s yearly workshops in Yosemite.
Throughout his to start with forays into photography, on the other hand, Eichen was armed with a plastic camera on the most modest end of lensdom a Kodak Instamatic 110.
But in camp as a mid-schooler, his curiosity in photography speedily arrived into aim. “I was in the darkroom and I noticed an image surface in the developer and it built me so engrossed in the magic of it all. And I realized how to build that summer season.”
Quite a few speak to sheets, numerous images adopted.
His father took observe.
“My dad acquired me a improved camera right up until he explained, ‘Forget it. I’m turning in excess of the big boy to you.’”
That massive boy was a Hasselblad.
Lifetime ongoing less than the red glow of a Kodak safelight until finally, ultimately, a expert vocation in architectural photography, which was followed by digital studio perform in Los Angeles.
Eichen has been a Port Townsend fixture for a long time now, and with his small business now heading to the dogs, a portrait of a person’s playful pooch may be just the point to get them by the pet dog days of the pandemic.
“Wearing masks is not the most entertaining thing, but getting a portrait with your animal … could possibly be just the point you have to have to get you out of your doldrums,” he stated.
His the latest shoots in the virtual realm have turned out good, he mentioned. And when graphic good quality appears to be like a tiny canine-eared due to the limitations of the tech device on the doggy owner’s stop of matters, Eichen’s observed accomplishment by turning very low-resolution pictures into arty watercolor, pencil or canvas-styled variations.
Black-and-white has been his specialty, provided its classical truly feel and its psychological tug.
His objective for each individual photograph shoot: “capturing the spirit the animal spirit.”
“That’s my task to have a rapport with that animal,” he stated.
NOT Too Much A STRAY
Photographing man’s ideal friend has been a pastime of sorts, Eichen mentioned, as he’s been taking pictures the once-a-year pet parade in Port Townsend for decades now.
All those early shots of people with their pets evolved into more poochly portraits.
It is not as basic as it sounds.
Pet dogs lose desire promptly, he said.
“The mother nature of taking pictures animals it’s not straightforward to grab their notice,” Eichen explained. “With pet dogs, you only get just one opportunity.”
Some say felines are fickle. Just hold out ’til you have a date with a puppy.
“I get 1 or two chances with a puppy and then they glimpse absent,” he said.
Doggy homeowners can often aid on their stop, he included.
“The bottom line is: Carry your individual biscuits.”
If all else fails, he mentioned, there’s constantly the possibility of the owner holding their furry family members member in their arms.
In-person shoots are a lot easier, of program, than crossing the electronic divide with Duke or Dixie.
In-man or woman shoots typically choose position at a park at a dog park or other suited configurations, and Eichen claimed all of the necessary COVID-19 safeguards are taken.
ROVER Above AND In excess of
Eichen stated he’s committed to obtaining the very best feasible portrait.
It’s a fur confident matter.
Eichen claimed he claims to arrive away with five edited best shots for each client.
And he’ll maintain taking pictures, through retakes if desired, “until we get it correct.”
“I’m not remaining Hollywood with this I’m being little-city, effectively I promise I’ll make you joyful with your shoot.”
“Who would not want to have a assure?” Eichen asked.
“You’re having to pay me to make a piece of art.”
Eichen’s on the internet portfolio and reserving website can be noticed at https://jeichen.zenfolio.com/. He can be attained at 360-774-2235.