In a moment of pure serendipity, a retired head of photography has captured a breathtaking image on his iPhone, perfectly freezing a dog in mid-air against the backdrop of a famous artistic installation.
A Long-Awaited Artistic Pilgrimage
Roger Tooth, the former head of photography at the Guardian, finally visited Antony Gormley's Another Place installation on Crosby beach in October 2025. The installation, featuring 100 cast-iron, lifesize sculptures, was erected twenty years prior and has become an iconic landmark. Tooth was in Liverpool for a weekend art tour with his wife and friends, which included a visit to the Walker Art Gallery and a stop at the Philharmonic Dining Rooms.
Seeing the rusted figures, all staring out to sea amidst the shifting sands, was a stunning experience for Tooth. The weather, however, was dramatic, with Storm Amy in full effect, whipping the sand across the beach.
The Magical Moment of Capture
While taking a close-up photograph of one of the sculptures, Tooth noticed a small white dog bounding towards him from the corner of his eye. Reacting instantly, he swung his iPhone 13 around and captured the animal suspended in mid-air.
Tooth expressed his amazement at the capability of the smartphone camera, stating, "I was amazed that an iPhone (and I) could freeze the dog in mid-air." The resulting image was so perfect it evoked a historical comparison for the seasoned photographer.
A Photographer's Joy and the Perfect Title
Upon reviewing the shot, Tooth felt a "Muybridge-like joy," referencing the pioneering photographer Eadweard Muybridge who famously proved that all four of a horse's legs leave the ground during a gallop. In this case, Tooth had captured the same phenomenon with a dog.
Although he doesn't normally title his photographs, he named this one "Snowy" because the playful white dog reminded him of the beloved canine companion from the Tintin comics. The photograph stands as a beautiful fusion of planned artistic appreciation and an unexpected, joyful moment, all preserved through modern mobile technology.
