The Dogfather

The Brotherhood of Thieves, on the tiny old whaling island of
Nantucket, is as good a bar as any from which to tell old stories
– and we know quite a few. The ambient light from the window is
powerful enough to remove the need for a gaffer and this is such a
help when trying to tell tales with a sense of place. The detail in the
dog’s face is all lit from the window and this effect lends a sense of
timeless drama. This picture could have been taken 100 years ago
rather than in 2022. One of the oldest breeds known to humans,
Mastiffs were among the first canines to accompany humans on
their migrations across the globe. More importantly, their faces
have a rather majestic human countenance, allowing me to build
stories around them. This dog is the boss of The Brotherhood: wise,
well read, powerful and sovereign. Nothing goes on in this den of
thieves without his blessing. The Godfather of Nantucket, I can see
him borrowing from Don Vito Corleone: “Someday, and that day
may never come, I will call upon you to do a service for me. But until
that day, accept this justice as a gift on my daughter’s wedding
day.”