Hi Digitalism readers …
This week I going to talk about taking great pet pictures.
An animal’s unpredictability, like young child’s is what makes them infinitely photogenic and interesting subjects.
By that very nature, they don’t take directions very well and can be a challenge to photograph. Yet with a few simple tips and oodles of patience you’ll soon be able to snap your pet to the best advantages.
Plan ahead
To ensure your picture turns out the way you want, you have to plan, plan & plan! Before you begin snapping, it is always best to have in mind the some basic pictures ideas. E.g. location, lightings, props, etc.
Freeze
A key problem in photography pets is confining them to a specific area so you can have more control over the situation. One of the good way is to pick the familiar spot, likewise favorite chair, rug and etc.
Watch your background
A plain background is most ideal in taking photos of a pets. However, if you prefer to take very strong depth-of-field background it is fine too. Therefore whole picture will more focus on the pet which is not the background.
Up close
The most common mistake most people make is to keep too much of a distance when they are snapping pets. To get better shots, you should move closer to the pet as this will ensure greater composition within the frame.
Level up
Don’t have the pet looking up into the camera unless this is the angle you want for the picture. It’s always a good idea to place the digital camera at about the same level as the animal so you’ll be seeing the pet’s point of view.
Hey, Boy, here
Cameras can be distracting for some animals. One way to get their attention or to lure them into position is to dangle their favorite treat or toy before them. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to act silly to catch their attention. Meanwhile, here’s a tip we read about: If you want two animals to get playful, try rubbing some food behind the ear of one of them. Then get ready to shoot fast!
Easy on the flash
Red eye ruins otherwise good portraits, but are more pronounced in animal pictures. The simplest solution is to turn off your camera flash. A bright but overcast day is great; the best light for photo-taking is early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Not a fan of the outdoors? All you have to do is find a window where the sun shines through and you are set to go!
Say Cheese
How to capture the right expression in pets? The key is behavior. Understand the pet’s attitude in playing, likewise playing with towel, toy & so on. Finally, do run a damp towel over the animal to clean out eyes, nose & ears before photo taking. And if you want to “alert” and happy subject, ensure both eyes of the pet are visible in the picture, and avoid droopy ears. A slouching, tired look will bbe magnified and unattractive.
So hope you guys enjoy this week topic 
*All photos is taken by: Canon EOS 400D with EFS 17-85mm F4-5.6 USM IS
**Thanks to my puppy: Panda
Digitalism
Filed under: Tips & hints
