Photographing Your Dog Or Cat
Pets are natural photographic superstars.
It makes no difference if they are cute or ferocious.
Only children can steal the show from them.
But like children, sometimes it's difficult to get them to do what you want them to.
Dogs and cats don't always take direction well, but you can use this trait to your advantage.
By allowing them to be themselves you can capture their true nature.
Here are a few helpful tips you can use to try and get that perfect picture of your dog or cat.
Pet photography can be fun, and will give you a chance to interact with your best friend.
Pets are creatures of habit just like people.
If you have the patience to wait, and your camera is ready, eventually you will get the pose or mug shot you're looking for.
Fortunately there are better and quicker ways to achieve this ideal and they being with planning.
Probably the highlight or your pet portfolio will be the portrait.
This is the picture that will best capture your pet's character.
There is a certain quality about your pet that makes them unique.
It might be their kind eyes, or the way they look at you when you think they're smiling.
Maybe it's the silly look on your cats face when he gets fresh catnip.
These are the qualities that endear them to you, so why not try and photograph them? The key to achieving naturalness in your pet photo is to relax.
You want your pet to feel at ease.
Pets pick up on the vibes of their masters, if you're calm they will likely follow suit.
Try to get their picture in their favorite hangout, like the cat cradle, or on the rug in front of the mantle.
Wherever it is they feel most secure is likely to produce the most natural and endearing picture.
The backdrop can be nearly as important as the portrait itself.
My picture of my Lab sitting on the deck with a tennis ball in his mouth, and ready to play is how I'll always remember him.
The whole idea is to capture what your pet means to you.
Camera Settings: To try and discuss the different camera settings and variations in lighting is beyond the scope of this article.
With a digital SLR in the manual mode it's possible to achieve numerous effects with light and shadow.
You can get terrific shots of your pet with a point and shoot as well, as long as you understand its limitations.
Regardless of which type of camera you use the trick is to have your camera settings programmed and be ready to shoot.
When using a DSLR it helps to focus on your subject and depress the shutter halfway.
Then you'll ready when the right image appears.
Try to expect the unexpected and be prepared for sudden movement.
Your window to get that perfect picture could be brief.
Expression: Your pet's expression is not just a characteristic of his face.
It can be the sum of many traits.
Your pet's shiny coat can be augmented by soft light or expressed more fully if shot when it's taking a sunbath.
The symmetrical lines of a felines sleek body are a great way to capture its personality and reveal the totality of its unique character.
When shooting pictures of your cat the ears should be up.
Most cats are naturally alert so this is not hard to achieve.
When photographing dogs or cats the nose should be wet and shiny and express the vibrant health of your furry friend.
Camera angle can be important in achieving wonderful or merely generic pictures of your pet.
You will get a more realistic picture if you place the camera at about the same level as your pet.
If your dog is lying on the floor with his tongue hanging out .
.
.
it means you need to get down there with him if you want a unique and lasting photograph with the most personality.
Freeze Your Subject: If you decide you want more active photos of your pet it's a good idea to use your camera flash.
Even if the animal is moving quickly and it's a sunny day your camera will freeze the action better if you turn on your flash.
The whole idea when photographing your pet is to connect with reason you got him in the first place.
Spur of the moment pictures are great and certainly unique.
But if you want to capture the personality of your cat or dog it helps to take a little time to work with them.
They will sense the attention and the affection and it helps to bring out their best qualities.
It makes no difference if they are cute or ferocious.
Only children can steal the show from them.
But like children, sometimes it's difficult to get them to do what you want them to.
Dogs and cats don't always take direction well, but you can use this trait to your advantage.
By allowing them to be themselves you can capture their true nature.
Here are a few helpful tips you can use to try and get that perfect picture of your dog or cat.
Pet photography can be fun, and will give you a chance to interact with your best friend.
Pets are creatures of habit just like people.
If you have the patience to wait, and your camera is ready, eventually you will get the pose or mug shot you're looking for.
Fortunately there are better and quicker ways to achieve this ideal and they being with planning.
Probably the highlight or your pet portfolio will be the portrait.
This is the picture that will best capture your pet's character.
There is a certain quality about your pet that makes them unique.
It might be their kind eyes, or the way they look at you when you think they're smiling.
Maybe it's the silly look on your cats face when he gets fresh catnip.
These are the qualities that endear them to you, so why not try and photograph them? The key to achieving naturalness in your pet photo is to relax.
You want your pet to feel at ease.
Pets pick up on the vibes of their masters, if you're calm they will likely follow suit.
Try to get their picture in their favorite hangout, like the cat cradle, or on the rug in front of the mantle.
Wherever it is they feel most secure is likely to produce the most natural and endearing picture.
The backdrop can be nearly as important as the portrait itself.
My picture of my Lab sitting on the deck with a tennis ball in his mouth, and ready to play is how I'll always remember him.
The whole idea is to capture what your pet means to you.
Camera Settings: To try and discuss the different camera settings and variations in lighting is beyond the scope of this article.
With a digital SLR in the manual mode it's possible to achieve numerous effects with light and shadow.
You can get terrific shots of your pet with a point and shoot as well, as long as you understand its limitations.
Regardless of which type of camera you use the trick is to have your camera settings programmed and be ready to shoot.
When using a DSLR it helps to focus on your subject and depress the shutter halfway.
Then you'll ready when the right image appears.
Try to expect the unexpected and be prepared for sudden movement.
Your window to get that perfect picture could be brief.
Expression: Your pet's expression is not just a characteristic of his face.
It can be the sum of many traits.
Your pet's shiny coat can be augmented by soft light or expressed more fully if shot when it's taking a sunbath.
The symmetrical lines of a felines sleek body are a great way to capture its personality and reveal the totality of its unique character.
When shooting pictures of your cat the ears should be up.
Most cats are naturally alert so this is not hard to achieve.
When photographing dogs or cats the nose should be wet and shiny and express the vibrant health of your furry friend.
Camera angle can be important in achieving wonderful or merely generic pictures of your pet.
You will get a more realistic picture if you place the camera at about the same level as your pet.
If your dog is lying on the floor with his tongue hanging out .
.
.
it means you need to get down there with him if you want a unique and lasting photograph with the most personality.
Freeze Your Subject: If you decide you want more active photos of your pet it's a good idea to use your camera flash.
Even if the animal is moving quickly and it's a sunny day your camera will freeze the action better if you turn on your flash.
The whole idea when photographing your pet is to connect with reason you got him in the first place.
Spur of the moment pictures are great and certainly unique.
But if you want to capture the personality of your cat or dog it helps to take a little time to work with them.
They will sense the attention and the affection and it helps to bring out their best qualities.
