A Modern Painting: Mercury Megaloudis – Dog Photography Awards Dogs & People Category Winner
Step into the vibrant world of contemporary dog photography with Mercury Megaloudis, the winner of the Dogs & People category at the Dog Photography Awards. In this interview, we explore Megaloudis’s latest masterpiece, « Caravaggio Today », a captivating image inspired by the renowned Baroque artist. Discover how Megaloudis seamlessly blends classical inspiration with modern flair, capturing the timeless beauty of dogs and their human companions.
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HOW DID YOU GET INTO DOG PHOTOGRAPHY?
My journey into dog photography began with an encounter with the late, great Elliott Erwitt, the renowned photographer, during his visit to Melbourne, Australia. I was deeply inspired by his books on dogs, particularly his iconic work capturing dogs in New York’s Central Park in black and white, with his trademark humor. He inspired me to make a living photographing dogs, something I love.
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Your work « Caravaggio Today » earned you the title of Dog Photographer of the Year. Can you share the story behind creating this image?
During a commercial shoot for a clothing company, everything was going smoothly, and the client was happy at that point. Yet, I had a nagging feeling I could elevate the image to a higher standard. That’s when my brain went into overdrive. What I needed was more dramatic lighting and composition with a third element – the dog. I asked myself, « What would Caravaggio do in today’s world, with a camera? »
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Reflecting on this project, what stands out as your most unforgettable memory?
One of the most unforgettable memories from this project was the moment when everything came together perfectly during the shoot. Seeing the vision I had in my mind’s eye come to life in front of the camera was incredibly rewarding. Even more rewarding was the client’s reaction.
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Throughout the process, what posed the greatest challenge for you?
The greatest challenge for me during this project was undoubtedly planning and communicating with the team, setting up cameras, lights, and capturing the precise lighting and mood that I envisioned. It required careful coordination with the models beforehand, and when Rocco the dog arrived, after all that preparation, he simply sat there for less than 5 minutes. However, the end result was well worth the effort.
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What does winning the award mean to you?
Winning the Dog Photographer of the Year award is truly an honor. The respect from all entrants who are dedicated to their craft means a lot to me. I have made some truly great photography friends around the world because of this award. We chat about marketing, photo techniques, how you did this, what is the story about the dog, how did you capture that, etc. It’s incredibly gratifying to have my work recognized on such a prestigious platform, and it only serves to further fuel my commitment to pushing the boundaries of dog photography.
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Lastly, can you give us a glimpse into any upcoming projects you’re currently working on?
At the age of 62, I’m constantly brainstorming what’s next and how I can improve my work. Perhaps I should consider speaking to the organizers to arrange this as a face-to-face event, providing an opportunity to connect with other photographers who share the same passion for dogs and photography.
More about Mercury Megaloudis: www.mega.com.au
