When shooting pet portraits, stay true to your pet's character (like you would a person). Take photos of him
in his preferred spot while performing his favorite pastime, whether that means playing fetch on the beach or
climbing up to high places. Think about what makes your pet unique and capture those moments.
Pets are always moving, which can make them challenging photo subjects. Anticipate where a great action shot will
happen and focus on that spot. Many cameras have a built-in Action shooting mode that
speeds up your shutter speed so you avoid the blur associated with motion.
Depending on your camera, it can take an entire second from the moment you press the shutter to when your
camera actually takes the picture. This gap in time is called "shutter lag," and it can be the difference
between getting action shots and missing them. You can overcome shutter lag by pressing the shutter down lightly,
about halfway. This will lock the focus on your pet, and lets you take the picture much faster because the
focusing process will already be done.
Capture the detail of your pet's whiskers or the texture of her fur with a great
close-up shot.
You can use your camera's zoom feature to get close even if your pet is sleeping. Or, once your photo is
downloaded to your computer, you can always crop closer using your editing software such as the free
HP Photosmart Essential software.
What about taking a stately picture of your Dalmatian? First off, find a helper—you'll have your hands
full. Look for creative settings. Use your camera's automatic timer for a self-portrait with your pet
(think holiday card)—or have your assistant take the snap. Don't forget that some cameras typically have a
Portrait shooting mode, which ensures your portrait shot will be sharp on your
subject and the background will be soft.
Use red-eye and pet-eye fix together for your best shots.
Pet-eye is the glowing eye reflections that you often get when using a flash to take photos of pets. It can
appear in different colors, including red, green, or yellow. Because pet eye is not always red, and due to the
variety of animal shapes and poses, automatic red-eye tools sometimes aren't able to detect pet-eye.
The following quick tips can help you forego the glow:
Try not to use a flash. Use additional light sources in the room.
Stand farther away from your subject.
Shoot from an angle, so that the flash does not fire directly into your pet's face.
Take a free online class
in digital photography! Explore the many features of your digital camera, find tips for cropping and editing your
images, and discover new ideas for sharing your photos in creative ways.
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