Martin Usborne | The Silence of Dogs in Cars

Martin Usborne’s The Silence of Dogs in Cars, published by Kehrer in 2012 is a reflective piece on time spent waiting, a hushed evening reverie spattered with rain and muffled barking.

Each dog was photographed waiting around in a car almost too perfectly paired with its personality and appearance. This seemed like such a feat that I was Initially disappointed to learn that the images are staged. That it wasn’t immediately apparent is a testament to Usborne’s skill in the staging. He conjures the quality of light from a Hopper painting into life. His canine figures are not unlike those characters, paused in a drama.

Full confession that I have spent more time with Usborne’s photo book this year than any other.… because my 20 month old son is obsessed. Obsessed. He wakes from a nap and immediately gestures over to the shelf where I house the book. ​“Dogs,” he says. ​“Cars.” He gets the concept. With my son’s undying enthusiasm, I’ve come to love small details I’d not have noticed, were I not subjected to an in-depth and daily perusal of the book.

Anyone who loves a dog will recognize the emotional personhood perceived in these subjects. I suspect the surprising range of facial emotion is what keeps my toddler riveted. (That, and the vintage British cars.) The book has a broad appeal, but it also has something new to give to those of us who look at pictures all day. Though the images are quite polished, they are also sincere. Usborne cares a great deal about animal life, and there is vulnerability in his refreshingly earnest approach to image-making.

- Lisa

Martin Usborne is represented by Lee Marks in the United States.

You can see additional dog projects here.