Randal Ford

Black Highland Cow

2018

Photographer Randal Ford has elevated his art to soaring heights by applying a minimalist approach to enhance the sophistication of an image. By focusing on the details of his animal subjects, the American artist produces striking images that highlight their characteristic features.

Ford is most famous for his photographs of animals in the studio. They are situated under lights and set against a backdrop so Ford can produce a stunning contrast that could not be captured with a candid shot. He also plays with concepts of color contrasts, such as placing a black rooster against a solid black background or a black and white bull set against a soft gray. He selects each background so that the animal is the sole focal point of an image, allowing for no distractions.

Though he favors animals as subjects, Ford’s photography also involves portraits of people. He has an almost mystical talent for portraying the humanity of his subjects, highlighting the qualities of a person that extend beyond the readily viewable content of a photograph.

He supports a number of organizations dedicated to the well-being and conservation of animals, both wild and domestic. He contributes his time and talent to organizations such as Project Survival’s Cat Haven, which concentrates on preserving wild cats through education and relocation efforts. The proceeds from his book Good Dog benefit Emancipet, an organization committed to making veterinary care accessible and affordable to everyone with a pet.

Ford continues to work out of his studio in Austin, Texas, where he focuses on his photography and conservation advocacy. 

On 1stDibs, browse a vast selection of Randal Ford’s portraits, figurative photography and prints.