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HP Digital PhotographyHP Digital Photography videosTaking Great Pet Photos |
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As a professional photographer and a mom, I get to take a lot of photos of pets. The best ones are those that capture their unique personality. Taking pictures of pets is both fun and a little challenging, mostly because they're always moving, changing, doing things. They won't pose for you, so you have to move with them to catch them in action. Sometimes you need to follow them around to capture them in their natural surroundings and in a mood that reflects their personality. So here are some of my best tricks for getting that one-in-a-million shot of your pet. Looking through my own photos, I am reminded that it takes a lot of bad pictures to get one good one. So snap away, and simply delete the photos you don't like. My pal here is always up for a good time. He loves greeting people at the door and he's a real social butterfly in the house. So when I take pictures of him, I try to let that come through. Think about the personality traits that make your pet unique and take pictures showcasing these qualities. Maybe your pet sleeps all day, loves to fetch, or is happiest curled up in a family member's lap. Most digital cameras come with shooting modes that help you get the best pictures under challenging conditions. Getting to know and understand these modes takes a little time, but it's well worth the effort. When taking pictures of your pets, try using the Action shooting mode. It's perfect for pets because they move around so much. It uses a fast shutter speed which cuts down on blurry pictures. Another action tip is to anticipate where your subject is headed and aim there, so you'll be ready to shoot by the time he gets there. While aiming, press the shutter button down halfway to lock in your camera's focus. That way, you won't miss the shot while waiting for your camera to adjust. Now for our next big tip: For personality-filled pet photos, get in close, or let them get close to you. Sometimes when you get down on your pets' level and point the camera, they'll approach you. As they come closer, shoot away. A big wet nose as the subject of your pet portrait is adorable and so totally dog! And shooting on their level as opposed to shooting down from above reveals your pet's world, too. You may need to make a sound to get their attention and eye contact. Which makes me think of this picture of a cat, I crouched down to photograph. It shows her beautiful fur and whiskers. It's powerful to really look at an animal and appreciate its beauty. Try photographing your pet's fur or tail or her expressive paw draped over a favorite toy-go for the details. They can make for a very artful and unique image. You might want to get a friend or family member to help when shooting pet portraits. The helper can get the pet into position and keep them calm or distracted with petting and treats. Just like pictures of people can have red-eye, your pet's eyes can reflect back the light of a flash in a not-so great way. Think crazy dog and you're on the right track. Some digital cameras let you fix glowing pet eyes right in the camera. You don't even need to upload it to a computer to edit it. So there you go! Some easy ways to make taking pictures of your best friend almost as much fun as hanging out with him. I'll see you next time!
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