How to photograph pets, cats and dogs!

This is another awesome article on pet photography!


How to Photograph Pets

This article focuses primarily on dogs and cats, and should be read in conjunction with my other articles "the basic principles of lighting", and "framing the subject"

Lighting

Correctly lighting an animal requires a slightly different approach to lighting a human subject; fur does not reflect light in the same way as skin. The exact position of the main light source and level of modelling is subordinate to the need to capture texture (e.g. their noses do not cast shadows on their faces). The main light source still needs to fall from above and to one side, but the exact angle of the light is less critical, and stronger and more direct illumination can and should be used.

I recommend the use of flash light combined with good daylight to make fur shine. Cats and dogs do not appear to be aware of flash light, nor worried by it. There are however, two potential problems to avoid: "red-eye" and "black halo".

Red-eye is caused by the reflection of light from the retina of the eye. This can be minimised by using an off-camera flash (if you have one), positioned slightly above, below, and/or to one side of the axis of the camera. Most modern cameras with built-in flash units have a red-eye reduction mode. This uses a series of pre-exposure flashes to close the subject's iris. The use of flash as a fill-in with bright daylight also minimises red-eye.

Black-halo is the hard shadow cast by the use of flash in low light conditions. The way to avoid this is to ensure that the flash isn't the main (brightest) light source.

Exposure and focus (dark subjects)

Modern cameras are fully automatic in this respect, but most do not perform well when the subject is something like a black dog. I use an expensive Leica, but it still underexposes, and hunts for a focus lock when photographing my (black) dogs.

If your camera has a spot metering facility, use it. If you have a manual override capability, try "bracketing" (i.e. repeat each shot and deliberately over expose). If you have control over shutter speeds, use a fast setting. Similarly, if your camera allows manual focusing, try doing this yourself.
  
 Underexposure can be corrected using Photoshop (etc), provided that the lighting was more or less right (i.e. under exposure due to backlighting cannot be corrected).

Poor focus cannot be corrected retrospectively.

 Correct Angle
 
The height from which the photograph is shot is very important. Too often I see aerial shots of small dogs and cats photographed by their towering 6-foot owner. The simple rule is - try to get the camera on the same level as the subject.

With cats and smaller dogs, it can be easier to place them on a table or any other suitable item of furniture or support. Sometimes you have to get down on the floor, but many animals will think you are playing a game.

Encouraging co-operation

The hardest part of pet portrait photography is getting the subject's co-operation.

The pet owner should know the best way to accomplish this; the place in which their pet is most likely to feel comfortable, whether they are more amenable before or after feeding/exercise, what commands or noises they will respond to.

My personal tips are:-

1. If possible, work in the place and at a time that best suits the pet.

2. Leave the commands/noises to one person, preferably the photographer. There is nothing worse than instructions coming from all around the animal.

3. Don't dangle food/toys in front of the subject - they will inevitably move to get them.

4. One way of getting pets to stay still for a few seconds is to rub something tasty on their jaws. They will almost certainly stop to lick their lips.

Posing the subject

If your dog has been trained to sit or stand, that can be very helpful, but mostly, you will need to be very patient and wait for the required pose to happen.

With male dogs, watch-out for "things popping out", and reposition if it does.

Don't photograph cats lying down. They often tuck their legs under their bodies, which results in the overall body shape becoming little more than a fury blob.

Be objective; it's too easy to see nothing more than the pet you love, and overlook the fact that the shot you are about to take is dull. 


Author:  John Burton

Portrait artist working mainly from clients' own photographs.

Documentary Profile of Pet Photographer Richie Schwartz

How to photograph animals

Continuing with the subject of photographing animals, here is an excellent article by the staff of the New York Institute of Photography;




Pet Photography 101

Seven Habits of the Successful Pet Photographer

Whether they're cute or ferocious, you want to immortalize your family pet on film. Don't worry if your Beagle, Siamese, or Iguana is camera shy, these little devils can't escape NYI photographers! We are here to help you with our Seven Habits of the Successful Pet Photographer. So fluff up your Persian and let's get started!

1. Get inside your pet's brain.

For a portrait, you want your four-legged buddy to feel at ease so why not try to contain him or her in their favorite hang out-be it the rocking chair on the front porch, the stoop, on top of the fridge, or on top of your desk. Many cats like to rest on top of reading material, not for the intellectual stimulation, but to prevent their masters from reading so that they can get all the attention.
You should always respect your pet's personality when taking a photo just as you would for a human subject. Here's an ethical question for you. Should pet owners resist the urge of draping them in Versace? Does this really humiliate the animal? Well, we should probably leave that for your local pet psychic to answer. Chances are, though, if you dress your Saint Bernard up in red raincoat and booties, you're not going to get a natural expression. We leave this to your discretion. The NYI staff has fallen in love with this photo taken by NYI Student Carolyn Sauer of this poodle in his pink tutu. We suspect that this puppy was begging for treats and oblivious to her ballerina get-up. By the way, take a look at this puppy's feet – in first position of ballet!

2. Thou Shalt Tell A Story.

See this cat behind the screen looking out? We can imagine the story behind this photo. It is a look that cat owners will recognize – that hypnotic stare that a cat gets when it intently studies a feathered object that it would like to nibble on. Next time you see a photo of a pet, see if it tells a story. It doesn't have to be a long story. It can be a short story as in this poodle in the pink tutu. Let's say you're trying to take a photo of your golden retriever and in walks your toddler with an ice cream cone and your golden retriever then knocks the cone out of his hands. The end result will be a photo that speaks for itself!
It's a good idea to have your camera at a central location in your home so you can grab it the second you see an animal story.

3. Be prepared for sudden movement.

Pets can be unpredictable and move without warning. Consider your photo session a jungle safari of sorts and prepare for the cheetah's sudden escape. Sometimes pets can be restless and jump at the sound of a shutter click, so you should adjust your camera accordingly. Set your shutter speed at about 1/125^th so your tabby doesn't come across as one big orange fuzz ball. With film use a high speed such as ISO 400 or 800 film if you are going to be photographing indoors with minimal available light.
Pets can be just as vain as their masters. You can make a shiny coat of fur look even better by using a soft light or catching your pet taking a late afternoon sunbath.

4. Control the clutter on the set.

Though you will not have to deal with the model's ill-coordinated clothing, you still don't want to photograph your Dalmatian against a drab shower curtain.
Remember, follow your pet's thought process – eat, sleep, play – in other words – simplify! Once you decide on the location of your photo session, if it is indoors remember to get rid of clutter – stray magic markers, dirty socks, human limbs, TV Guides – things that distract and do not add to the story behind the photo. Outdoors, watch out for lawn furniture, stray toys and other debris that can complicate your background.
This brings us to our fifth Habit.

5. Consider your camera angle.

It's a good idea to place the camera at about the same level of the animal. This will fill your frame with your furry subject. If you're outdoors and your subject is digging for treasures or eating your neighbor's tulips, get down in the dirt so you can be at the same level. Seeing the subject's point of view, can give you an extra creative spark which will lead to better photographs.
If you are aiming for a glamorous close-up shot as in NYI Student Patricia Fielder's photo of her cat, you will want to use a close-up lens and be very quiet so you don't interrupt kitty's trance. Oh, what beautiful fur this cat has! A pet photograph doesn't always do justice to the subject's fur.

6. Don't forget the treats and the props!

Treats are tools of the trade in pet photography. If you know your pet has a weakness for...say carrot cake, liverwurst, or peanut butter, do not be afraid to use these to help you take that unforgettable shot. This can work especially well when photographing people with pets. (Though, you may want to get your vet's approval for the peanut butter.) If you want to have a great portrait of your child and pet, try getting the child and the pet to look in the same direction. Make sure the child is comfortable with the pet and vice versa. The child can cuddle the animal if it is small enough or stroke it if the animal towers over the child. It probably isn't a good idea to have the child play rodeo and ride it around the living room. The trick is to show the relationship between the pet and the person in the picture.
In NYI's Lesson on Child Photography and Pet Photography, we offer this inside tip: If you want two animals to "cuddle," try rubbing some food behind the ear of one of them – then be prepared to shoot fast! If you are shooting a group of puppies or kittens, think about placing them in one place – a basket, sink, tub, or mailbox so you can contain in one area.
Make that tuna frosting, please! As you can see from this cute birthday party photo, props can really help your create a great photo. NYI Student Suzy Maynard of Pennsylvania took this photo. I think the cats were so preoccupied with the food, that they don't seem to be bothered a bit by the silly birthday hats and cat sized cups.

7. Study your pet during the day.

What sets him apart from other animals? What weird habits does he have? If you were to interview one hundred cat owners, they would surely come up with one hundred different activities their cats like to do besides snoozing. Some cats like to wrestle with stuffed animals, chase flies, and lick the spaghetti pot. If you want to take a funny photograph, the key is in the behavior. Aside from their life of luxury (sleeping, chasing ghosts and shadows, and eating), what do they do to entertain themselves? Do they adopt the same habits and patterns of behavior as their master's?
Even though seeing pets dressed up in clothes, leather jackets, tutus, is cute some of the best photographs can be taken when the pet is oblivious to the camera-when you catch the animal's expression or when the animal has almost a human expression. Another approach to pet photography is to take a photo of your pet when he isn't looking. I suppose some animal activists may think this encroaches on the animal's privacy, but even such high profile pets like Barney, President Bush's dog, or Socks, the former White House cat have learned to live with their in-house photographer!

Tips for photographing reptiles, birds and other caged friends:

If your pet spends most of his life behind bars, it certainly makes sense to let him out for the photo shoot! Your Iguana will look much better lounging around the backyard than napping in a cage.
Snakes and other reptiles – If your significant other doesn't want to pose with this snake a la Natasha Kinski, there are plenty of other ways to photograph a snake. Be inventive! You can get a close up shot of the snake's face and eyes or put him on a table and photograph him from different angles. You can also experiment by placing your pet in an environment that is foreign to your pet. For example, you could place your pet frog on a satin pillow for a contrast in texture. Who knows? The frog might like it.
Birds – If you have trained Polly to rest on your finger then you shouldn't have a problem getting her to pose. Chances are your feathered creature is very colorful. Use this physical attribute to your best advantage. Make sure that your background does not clash with his colors. Make sure the background isn't too busy. Keep it simple; stick to solid crisp colors.
Fish – We did not want to leave out the goldfish groupies among you! If you want to take a good photo of your fish tank, follow these rules:
If you are not going to be using your flash, your best bet is to put your camera lens against the fish tank and wait for the fish to swim your way. The light from the aquarium will brighten your subject. If you are intent on using a flash, be sure to take the photo from an angle, a 60-degree angle is fine, so that you do not get a blinding hot spot.
Now that you know how to take great photos of your pampered pet, we wish you a good scratch-free photo session!

-Staff of the New York Institute of Photography

@AppleberryPhotography

This is one of my favorite animal photographs! 

How to take photographs of pet

If you love taking pictures of wildlife then this article will be sure to give you some helpful tips that you can start using today. Animal photography, also called wildlife photography, encompasses the entire world of animals from your pets to polar bears. This article focuses on photographing wildlife, but you can apply many of these tips to photographing Muffin or Fido. To learn how nature photographers get those fantastic images of wildlife, read on. 

The basics for taking great wildlife pictures start with these tips. As always there are exceptions, but the following go a long ways towards ensuring successful animal photography:



* Use natural lighting to your advantage

* Fill the frame with the subject

* Focus on the eyes

* Shoot from various angles

* Capture personality



Perhaps you are wondering how you can, without a huge lens and SLR safely get close enough to a wild animal to "capture their personality" or "fill the frame"?



Actually even professional wildlife photographers don't always take their winning photographs in the wild. Many of the photographs of polar bears, tigers and other wild creatures were taken at wildlife sanctuaries and zoos. Cheating? Maybe, but it's safer for the photographer and doesn't disturb their free roaming cousins' mating and feeding cycles.



If you love taking pictures of wildlife then this article will be sure to give you some helpful tips that you can start using today.



Animal Photography Tips for Zoos and Sanctuaries



1) Simplify the Composition: If the background is distracting, use a wide aperture or Portrait mode to blur it. Or use a photo editor like Photoshop to clean up or blur the background.



2) Go Natural: Avoid showing cage bars, fences, humans, signs, etc. If it is safe and not against the rules, point the lens through the gap in the fence so you can take a picture without showing the fence. Sometimes there will be a vantage point that allows you to shoot over the top of the fence. Look for areas like these that are perfect for a photo. Again, use a good photo editing software to blur what you couldn't get rid of while taking your picture.



3) Fill the Frame: Use zoom (optical for best quality) or a telephoto lens to get close ups.



4) Use Sports Mode: Use Sports mode or set shutter speed priority to around 1/250 to freeze movements.



5) Use Light and Weather to Best Effect: Overcast days are often best for animal photography. If the overcast isn't too bright, it will prevent glare from light colored or watery backgrounds. If the overcast is too dark and you have an SLR, raise the ISO. With the right amount of overcast lighting, you can get well  exposed sharp images with your compact camera without any of the animals squinting.


Since the eyes are usually the most expressive, they are generally the best place to focus so be patient in getting a picture of their eyes wide open and not squinting. Another way to avoid this problem is to take the picture when the animal's back is to the sun. In this situation, you'll need to use flash fill (turn off the automatic flash and set to "on") to prevent underexposure or a silhouette. You will also need to wear a broad brimmed hat or use a lens hood to prevent lens flare.



6) Try this When Shooting through Glass: When you want a picture of a terrarium or aquarium critter, turn on the flash and shoot from an angle. Be sure to check your camera manual for the safe distance when taking pictures with a flash of any creature otherwise you could damage their eyes. Or turn off the flash and gently press your lens right up against the glass.



7) Plan your Visits for the Best Photo Ops: Many people will especially love seeing your animal photography when it includes baby animals. Often sanctuaries and zoos post on their websites when new babies are arriving, or you can call and check. Another great time to take pictures is during feeding time. Animals that stay in hiding throughout much of the day will come out to eat. Lastly, if you are going to a zoo or sanctuary when the weather is hot, always go early in the day as this will be when the animals are most active.



8) Use Context: While usually it's best to fill the frame with the animal, sometimes the context is too interesting to bypass. Examples of using context include a child and baby animal looking at each other, or a giraffe bending down to look at something.



9) Capture Expressions: Animals, whether our pets or wildlife, make the cutest expressions. Be prepared with your camera! Even just normal expressions like a wolf pup yawning or a tiger licking its lips are cute or interesting. The more you understand the habits and behaviors of the animal you're trying to take pictures of, the better chance you'll have of capturing a great photo of them.



So, the next time you're ready to take some wildlife pictures, use these animal photo tips and you'll be amazed at the difference applying this tips can have on your photos.

Autumn Lockwood
Autumn Lockwood is a writer for Your Picture Frames and loves taking photos. Shop online and see our selection of unique vintage picture frames and old fashioned victorian picture frames. Visit our online picture frames shop or call 1-800-780-0699.

Here is a  photograph of Molly taken close up with a portrait lens.

Appleberry Photography wishes you a happy, safe, Fourth of July!

Ellen

Pet Photography Tips : How to Photograph Pets- How to Phograph Pets

Pet Photography!

Photographing family pets can be challenging!  Like small children, it's often difficult for the animal to remain still long enough to capture the perfect photo! 

Here is an excellent article on photographing animals!

Photographing Animals in All Their Moods

People who love animals love all kinds of animals; some are small while others are big. They love to watch and feel these animals and animal lovers love to photograph animals. Make sure that you hoot all the pictures with a camcorder or a digital camera as it is quite easy to take pictures from them

A lot of patience and perseverance is required to photograph animals. There will always be moments where you will be in a fix and things will get out of your control while photographing even a dog, cat or a small bird. It is important that you understand all their possible reactions and behavior so that you are prepared to tackle all their reactions.
While taking shots of animals you can apply the same rule that you apply for taking the pictures of humans. You just need be aware of the things that you would like to capture. For example if you see a cow and her calf sitting beside each other decide the angle from which you want to shoot. And you also need to be prepared to shoot the animal in such a way that your thoughts come across. Every picture sends some message across to the viewer's so you need to focus on that element. After capturing the image you can describe the picture as a moment of a mother and a child moment with some great effects.
Apply your knowledge after deciding the concept of your pictures with regards to the composition, lighting and angles. This will help you capture a great scene and you would achieve your goal too.


Experienced photographers swear by the virtue of patience and it is the most important thing for them. It's like fishing where you need to wait patiently for a long time in order to catch a fish. You need to remember the fact that here we are trying to photograph animals who do not think and act like humans. They can be quite uncooperative too at times and at times you will have to face their outrageous behavior.
So in these times patience is a virtue that you would require to achieve your goal. It's the same feeling when you would have to deal with a toddler who is restless and with lots of energy and the child can't stay in one position for too long. So you have to be quite quick with your shots. Practice makes a man perfect so the same holds true for the photographers too. Practice by taking pictures in the zoo and study their behavior so that it will be easier for you to take the pictures. Take extra precaution and never risk your safety and beware of animals. A digital camera or a camcorder is the best thing to shoot animals and the picture quality would be such that you will be amazed!

Rohan Sinha

 

The following photograph was taken several years ago of my beautiful cat, Molly.  

Happy Photographing!

Ellen