Michael SchneiderFounder, Executive Director & Chief Pilot aka "Top Dog", Pilots To The Rescue · Top Dog @ Pilots To The Rescue

Dogist Mission - Elias Friedman

24 Feb 2021 · 1 min

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0:59

In this brief interview segment, Elias Friedman explains the origins and scale of his Dogist project, which began about six years ago and has resulted in roughly 40,000 dog photographs. He frames the work as an antidote to the often self‑conscious nature of the internet, emphasizing that sharing dog images brightens people’s days and gives every dog recognition. Friedman also highlights the project's evolving creativity, noting that today’s shoot involves flying a propeller plane at 6,000 feet to capture puppies, illustrating the lengths he goes to keep the work fresh and engaging.

Chapters

Okay, we're taping. Let me just start by saying it's an honor to be here flying. How high are we in the air right now? 6,000 feet, going to get puppies. But yeah, I started this project about 6 years ago, photographed about 40,000 dogs, realized that it was something that was moving for a lot of people. I think dog pictures are part of the antidote to the internet that sometimes put you in a place of self-consciousness. That's the great thing about the work that we do, both organizations, is we really get the chance to brighten someone's day. All dogs deserve recognition. Over time, you learn how to do it better and do it in a more cool way, like today flying in a propeller plane.