Photographing pets
We love them, we care for them and they give us all that love back! Pet owners will tell you that their pets are as much a part of the family as they are! If you are a pet lover you know your pet has a unique personality. Take out your camera today for some unique picture taking fun!
Be patient, use familiar surroundings Keep picture-taking sessions short and your voice calm. Try to take pictures during natural activities rather than direct your pet during this new activity called picture taking. While it might be interesting to take a photo of your dog on your Grand Canyon vacation, you'll probably get your most evocative pictures by shooting in places familiar to your pet. Pets tend to be more relaxed and playful at home.
Pets Have Feelings Too Dogs, cats, and many other pets convey a wide range of emotion through facial expressions, gestures, and body language. Pay attention to what your pet is feeling while you're shooting. Zoom in on the face to catch a wide-eyed, open-mouthed moment of surprise. Or pull back to catch the focused intensity of a full-body crouch preceding a pounce.
Use props to focus attention If your pet isn't a willing poser, use a flower, a toy, or a small snack to get its attention.
Shoot at eye level Eye-to-eye contact is as engaging with a pet as with a person. So get down on your pet's level to create warm and intimate pictures. Often, people make the mistake of photographing their pets while standing -- and end up with plenty of shots of the top of a furry head, but not much else. Your pet probably is much shorter than you are. Don't be shy about sitting, kneeling, or even lying down on the ground to be at the best angle to capture the action and emotions of your pet.
Get close Fill the viewfinder with your subject and create pictures with greater impact. Step in close or use your camera's zoom to emphasize what is important and exclude the rest. Check the manual for your camera's closest focusing distance.
Show your pet in action Animals love to run and play, so take pictures of them on the go to show their joy. Use a high-speed (400 or 800) film to stop the action (Check your digital camera manual for ISO speed). Plan the shot for the action to happen in one spot and focus on that spot. You probably know your pet's moods, behaviors, and rhythms better than anyone else, so keep thinking a moment ahead. Be ready to snap that furious head-to-tail shake just at the right moment after your dog exits the pond. Catch your cat in mid-leap from the piano to the mantle, or your cockatoo in mid-ruffle. If you wait until you can see the action clearly enough to frame the perfect shot, you might miss the moment.
Put People in the Picture By itself, your pet is only half the story. You can say a great deal about the relationship between your pet and your family, friends, or yourself by putting people in the picture. Whether playing, cuddling, sleeping, or even bathing, a special magic happens when animals are close to the people they know and love.
Stimulate Behaviors Interact with your pet to stimulate certain expressions or behaviors. This can involve getting your pet to perform a well-rehearsed trick, or simply addressing it in a particular tone (soothing, excited, playful, stern, etc.). Try tossing a favorite toy or tasty treat into the picture.
Use Plenty of Natural Light Flashes tend to distract or even alarm pets, so if possible shoot outside during the day. If shooting indoors, position your pet near a large window on a sunny day. This strategy also helps to eliminate the problem of "glowing eyes" common in pet pictures.
Take lots of pictures but do not shoot all day Take lots of pictures to increase your chance of capturing just the right moment. Even the pros take lots of pictures and think nothing of shooting a whole roll just to get that one great shot. You'll probably have to snap dozens of images to get a few really great pet pictures, so keep shooting. However, pets tire or get bored easily. Never make any photo session too long. Learn to realize when your pet has had enough.