In Balance Photography wrote:
Some people hate that I would 4x4 out to the point.
They try to regulate it.
I could be subject to improper prosecution.
I could be subject to personal harassment.

Does that make me an outcast?

I would say that's a good analogy, and I would say it would make someone feel a certain need to watch their back, which may be closer to what I mean by "outcast" in my examples.

Smokers would be an example of a group closer to true outcast level.

Cait Chan wrote:
What mix is her dog?

He's a pretty puppy

Someone who saw the pics said it was a "Brindle pattern".

Requests from other models are already coming in, and I've got Nicolette working in it . It belongs to a friend of her BF.

Cait Chan wrote:
What mix is her dog?

He's a pretty puppy

It looks like an American and English mix with staffie. My friend one that looks similar but he's a low rider. Short and kinda round...so cute.

rp_photo wrote:
Note that I never had a bad opinion of Pit Bulls, but this experience has warmed me up to them even more.

Being both a photographer and a gun owner, I have experienced the feelings of being "outcast", which in many ways makes me sympathetic.

Nicolette is a great model, as I'm fortunate to have worked with her too!  Fear of the unknown is where stereotyping comes in.  You never had a bad experience with pit bulls, so perhaps you based your feelings or opinion on misinformation, along with a lack of experience with many dogs.  My friend, Elena, whose images I reduced so they fit better on the 1st page .. she has had many dogs and cats as I have!  When you've been around as many dog breeds as we have, then you know the truth is that there are "No bad dogs!"  Just bad owners.  There is even a book by that title. 

By the way, being a gun owner and a photographer has nothing to do with being labeled an "outcast!"  I abhor labels!  I will not be a number OR label, as I am a man!  Like Bob Seger said!

In Balance Photography wrote:
We live in a big country. There's always a group of people that's going to not like what an individual may do.

For example, I used to like to go fishing at the point on Cape Hatteras. To get there, it's a long walk, or 4x4.

There's a group of people that are trying to save piping plovers, and they really dislike that people drive 4x4 vehicles there, because on occasion some idiot will run over one of the nests.

So they have been trying to get more regulations, stiffer penalties etc. Fencing had been put up, that depending on the tides, could cut off access to the point. In fact, if one was careless, one could be put in the position of running over the fence or having one's vehicle consumed by the surf.

Some people hate that I would 4x4 out to the point.
They try to regulate it.
I could be subject to improper prosecution.
I could be subject to personal harassment.

Does that make me an outcast?

Not by a long shot.

I still can vote. I still have rights protected by the bill of rights. I still have friends and family. I have access to health care and a home and a job and transportation.

Maybe being an outcast is a function of personal perspective?

Do you own the property that you want to drive your 4 x 4 on? If I want to go fishing, I go where I have legal access.  To show disregard for our environment is not to be a good sportsman.  I come from a long line of hunters and fishermen ... and we care about the environment so that perhaps future generations will be able to enjoy it too.  I put down my guns for cameras a long time ago.

rp_photo wrote:
I would say that's a good analogy, and I would say it would make someone feel a certain need to watch their back, which may be closer to what I mean by "outcast" in my examples.

Smokers would be an example of a group closer to true outcast level.

Smoking used to be widely accepted.  Doctors were on television promoting the benefits of smoking.  The Flintstone's cartoon characters were used in commercials to promote smoking to kids.  I knew all the jingles when I was a kid.  So what happened?

How come it turns out that smoking is bad for us?  Research?  Well I don't know for sure why smoking is bad or not, but I never smoked because my lungs couldn't handle it.  I have asthma.  Being near smokers is not pleasant for me.  Do you think I should be "the outcast?"  I hear that it sucks to try to quit and it's an expensive habit too!

Patrick Walberg wrote:

Do you own the property that you want to drive your 4 x 4 on? If I want to go fishing, I go where I have legal access.  To show disregard for our environment is not to be a good sportsman.  I come from a long line of hunters and fishermen ... and we care about the environment so that perhaps future generations will be able to enjoy it too.  I put down my guns for cameras a long time ago.

You missed my point.

In Balance Photography wrote:

You missed my point.

Actually, I don't see what it has to do with the subject of pit bulls.

Patrick Walberg wrote:

Actually, I don't see what it has to do with the subject of pit bulls.

If you read the whole thread, it was in response to the OP's reasoning that he self identified with pitbulls because they were perceived as outcasts, like he was for being a photographer and a gun owner. I inquired as to why being a gun owner and photographer made him an outcast, and he gave 4 behaviors of others that made him feel that way. I offered an example where I was subject to the same behaviors of others, but wasn't an outcast.

Lovely Day Media wrote:
My last dog was a pit bull.  She was very territorial but also fiercely loyal to me.  I let her outside off her leash once and she left the yard.  She didn't go far, but she left.  When she got back, I smacked her for it.  She never left the yard again unless she was on her leash and I was with her.  Even if my mother was dog sitting for me, she wouldn't leave the yard with her, either.

  I thought mine was heavy.  The dog in your pictures looks like he's at least 50 pounds heavier.   Great looking dog, though.  I'll get another one eventually.

Beast is my boyfriends dog. He is a formerly abused dog that his brother rescued. He's scared of everything and takes a minute to warm up, but has never been aggressive at all

He's more inclined to lick you to death than ever bite you.

Cait Chan wrote:
What mix is her dog?

He's a pretty puppy

Pure bred pit

rp_photo wrote:
Someone who saw the pics said it was a "Brindle pattern".

Requests from other models are already coming in, and I've got Nicolette working in it . It belongs to a friend of her BF.

He is a pure bred American pitbull yes he is brindle

He belongs to my boyfriend and I.

Nicolette wrote:
He is a formerly abused dog that his brother rescued.

Wow, that's hard to believe. He came across as an animal who had been loved his whole life.

rp_photo wrote:
Wow, that's hard to believe.

It actually makes sense. Remember how low he was to the ground and stuff then we were first walking around? And how he just initially kinda wanted to stay by Tim (until he realized it was safe by me haha)?

If a spoon gets dropped in the kitchen, he runs upstairs and hides.
Anyone raises their voice, he gets spooked. Instead of turning aggressive, he became super submissive. He's a big baby haha

They've had beast for a couple years now. He's very loved.

Nicolette wrote:
It actually makes sense. Remember how low he was to the ground and stuff then we were first walking around? And how he just initially kinda wanted to stay by Tim (until he realized it was safe by me haha)?

When I edit images, I tend to feel emotions that are like replays of the shoot, only deeper and less inhibited. Also, locations tend to have "vibes" that I feel both during the shoot and when editing.

When working on this shoot, I felt more emotion than I did with any before. I think it was a combination of the chemistry between you and Beast, Beast's own spirit, and possible "positive energy" from the location (which I've felt at all 3 shoots there thus far)

I hope that wasn't to sappy

rp_photo wrote:

When I edit a shoot, I tend to feel emotions that are like "replays" of the shoot, only deeper and less inhibited. Also, locations tend to have "vibes" that I feel both during the shoot and when editing.

When working on this shoot, I felt more emotion that I did working on any other before. I think it was a combination of the "chemistry" between you and Beast, as well as possible "positive" energy from the location.

I hope that wasn't to gloppy

Hahaha beast is one of my best friends. I love that dog to death. He's awesome. Part of that shoot ended up being a bonding moment for me and him. He follows me around the house a lot more now. he's far more trusting when I'm involved. Plus it was good for me too it was a great shoot!

If only I could get Molly (the wolf dog) to behave like that! Haha

Nicolette wrote:
Part of that shoot ended up being a bonding moment for me and him. He follows me around the house a lot more now. he's far more trusting when I'm involved. Plus it was good for me too it was a great shoot!

I believe we captured more than photons

rp_photo wrote:

I believe we captured more than photons

misszara wrote:
They have exactly the same facial expression in the last photo!

BEAST WORKS IT. I CAN ONLY DREAM OF BEING HALF THE MODEL HE IS.

Nicolette wrote:
BEAST WORKS IT. I CAN ONLY DREAM OF BEING HALF THE MODEL HE IS.

You are welcome to bring Beast out to my place anytime!   You know I got plenty of land to play on!    (of course you are welcome too!)

Patrick Walberg wrote:

You are welcome to bring Beast out to my place anytime!   You know I got plenty of land to play on!    (of course you are welcome too!)

Maybe someday haha

Patrick Walberg wrote:

Nicolette is a great model, as I'm fortunate to have worked with her too!  Fear of the unknown is where stereotyping comes in.  You never had a bad experience with pit bulls, so perhaps you based your feelings or opinion on misinformation, along with a lack of experience with many dogs.  My friend, Elena, whose images I reduced so they fit better on the 1st page .. she has had many dogs and cats as I have!  When you've been around as many dog breeds as we have, then you know the truth is that there are "No bad dogs!"  Just bad owners.  There is even a book by that title. 

By the way, being a gun owner and a photographer has nothing to do with being labeled an "outcast!"  I abhor labels!  I will not be a number OR label, as I am a man!  Like Bob Seger said!

Fear of the unknown is a great way to put it.

I'll admit I was always worried about Pit Bulls because of all the horror stories, and the fact I'd never been around one.

Went to Cincinnati last week to visit my family, and while at my son's house a friend of his came over with 2 Pit Bulls. As soon as they saw me they both ran over to me and almost beat me to death with their wagging tails, nether had been cropped. Two of the most friendly dogs I'd ever been around.

Kevin Fair wrote:
Fear of the unknown is a great way to put it.

I'll admit I was always worried about Pit Bulls because of all the horror stories, and the fact I'd never been around one.

Went to Cincinnati last week to visit my family, and while at my son's house a friend of his came over with 2 Pit Bulls. As soon as they saw me they both ran over to me and almost beat me to death with their wagging tails, nether had been cropped. Two of the most friendly dogs I'd ever been around.

Right, and I'm sure that a vast majority of the assault weapon owners out there are very responsible.  I've met sweet pits.  I'd bet most will live out their lives without maiming or killing because nurture can often overcome nature.  I don't  understand how thoughtful people can deny that certain dogs were bred over thousands of years to fulfill a specific purpose of killing and these genes are occasionally going to manifest themselves.  And fwiw, I'd be much more leery of two pits than one(pack thing).

ELiffmann wrote:
For all of you bully-breed lovers out there, I don't need statistics.

translation:  you won't let facts get in the way.

These dogs were bred to kill, period.

not true in the least, but you've already told us that facts won't ever get in the way of your opinions

ELiffmann wrote:
I fucking HATE Pit bulls. The only reason I can see for somebody getting one of these is the perceived power.  It's not the breed, it's the owner... BULLSHIT.  Just like it's not guns that kill people, it's people.  For all of you bully-breed lovers out there, I don't need statistics.

Cool story, bro? I don't care. Don't talk shit about my dog. Beast is like family to me. He's the sweetest god damn dog I've ever had. I've dealt with fucking kittens more ferocious than him. Seriously. Wtf. If you don't like bully breeds, why come into a thread about one?

What are you going to do with a Pit?  Find a calf for it to bring down?  I've got mixed feelings about people adopting Pits out of shelters.  While I'm in favor of generally conserving life and avoiding undue suffering of any animal by having these dogs out and about you're saying to others, perhaps less responsible and well-read as yourself, that these dogs make good family pets.  To all my friends and family with bull-breeds, I'm sure you're dog is sweet.  Please keep them on a leash and away from my dog and family.

I let him play with our other dogs. I pay attention to him. I treat him like a loving member of my fucking family. I treat him like a dog. He gets rawhides, walks, play time with our other dog, and swims in the pool. THAT'S what I do with my Pit. He's a fantastic dog and a great pet.

I didn't adopt him from a shelter. My boyfriend's older brother got him straight from the owner who was breeding him out. He was rescued from a very abusive home and he has been nothing but sweet. Shit, if you walked in a room yelling [even as a stranger] Beast would just run and hide. I have dropped a spoon on the floor in the kitchen, only to see him take off upstairs because it scared him.

BUT YOU'RE RIGHT. YOU TOTALLY KNOW MY DOG BETTER THAN I DO. TOTES. HE'S SO VICIOUS MAN.

What the fuck ever.

Little Queenie wrote:
Such a sweet story of a pittie in recovery!

Mascara alert!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mgbgch6v42E&sns=em

omg I am bawling. thankyou for sharing.

ELiffmann wrote:
I fucking HATE Pit bulls. The only reason I can see for somebody getting one of these is the perceived power.  It's not the breed, it's the owner... BULLSHIT.

I hate when people like you make assumptions about why I own the dogs I do. Get the fuck out of here with that bullshit.

JessieLeigh wrote:
I hate when people like you make assumptions about why I own the dogs I do. Get the fuck out of here with that bullshit.

Preach. Seriously.

Image K wrote:
Wow...you people are quite defensive about your pit bulls.

If you had a dog that you loved dearly, and who was nothing but an amazing, sweet pet to you... wouldn't you be defensive if someone came in and tired to shit all over you and your dog?
Wouldn't you be upset if someone came in and said you only want your breed for "perceived power" and that "statistics don't matter?"
Wouldn't you be defensive if someone, with an obnoxious attitude, came in and tried to completely invalidate your relationship with your dog?
Wouldn't you be defensive if they tried to act as though they know how your dog behaves better than you do?
My pitbull is a member of my family. Someone basically came in and said they hate my family. I'm not okay with that.

Mark Salo wrote:
A dog is a dog.  Most dogs are social creatures although there are occasional psychos.

In my experience, bad dogs usually have been trained to behave that way.

Sure...

But if a French Poodle is trained to behave badly, that's a different scenario than a pit bull with the same training.

Image K wrote:

Sure...

But if a French Poodle is trained to behave badly, that's a different scenario than a pit bull with the same training.

I used to have a big, beautiful pure bred German Shepherd.
She was being attacked by my moms Whippet.
She was attacked by my neighbors black lab.

Both times, she just laid there and took it. She let them do it. She never once snapped, bared her teeth, or growled, the entire time I had her.
She, like my pit, also was rescued from an abusive home.