Photogenic pets want you to get out your camera
Our Tail Tips for Pet Show today will be about how to photograph your pet. (Be sure to listen to the show!) If you’re like me, all your pet photos are of half a dog. In the millisecond it takes to snap a picture, your dog has moved and wants to know what the heck you’re doing. This picture is probably one of the best I’ve taken of my dogs. This is Deter, who is dressed as a policeman for Halloween. I used the “surprise” technique listed below. I let him get comfortable and then called his name so he’d turn his head. I also took about 20 pictures of half of him.
So for those of us who are amateurs to say the least, Digital Photographer School offers these great suggestions:
- Use natural light. Camera flashes will cause red-eye or could scare your animal.
- Keep the eyes sharp. Make sure your animals eyes are in focus – just like you would when photographing people.
- Go to your pet. Take pictures on your pet’s level, whether they sit on the floor or perched on the window sill.
- Show their character. Capture their personality – playful, lazy, loving.
- Go macro. Take some shots that are extremely close-up.
- Surprise him. Have someone else call to get his attention, and he’ll look ready and alert long enough to snap a shot.
- Schedule a session. Choose a time that will show off what you’re trying to capture, like sleepiness right after a nap or playfulness at the beginning of a walk.
- Be patient. Give your pet time to relax when you have your camera out so you can eventually get a calm shot.
- Experiment. Try as many angles and shots and compositions as you can.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
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