Quick camera tips for better pet photos
Pets, like any family member, have unique personalities, individual reactions to situations and ways of expressing themselves. From a dog who likes to play hide and seek peeking around the corner, to a cat who triumphantly lands in her favorite spot after shooing away anyone who dares to trespass on her prized territory, these little events are among the memories of families who own Pets . Capturing the nuances of these situations simply requires a camera and the use of a few techniques that make pet photography unique.
Shot selection
There are several ways to capture great pet photos with a camera. Portraits can be a challenge with a pet, but the end results can be worth the extra effort. It may be necessary to use food, toys, or another person to direct the pet to look in a certain direction or elicit a certain expression. Getting a more natural scene involving interaction with other animals or family members can help create an image that better captures the animal’s true personality and a more typical atmosphere when the focus is off the camera.
Common settings for pet photos are where the animal is comfortable, such as lying on a favorite chair or looking out the window. Another ideal setting is where they can engage in a favorite or natural activity. This helps reduce some of the difficulty in getting an acceptable camera pose and better reflects the pet’s behavior and personality.
Shot setup
As is true when photographing other types of subjects, ensuring that the background is free of clutter or distractions can help focus the attention of the shot on the pet. A plain background often makes the best background. Wiping a pet’s eyes before shooting can also help eliminate any distracting debris that will take the focus off of their eyes.
Just as with small children, anyone hoping to capture the best images of their pet must approach the situation with patience. Waiting for the right shot to happen is often a key ingredient. Once the right setting or situation has been chosen and all the necessary props or helpers have been assembled, then the task of getting the best shot will often require several shots with the camera.
Taking the hit
Getting photos that show the details of your pet’s features requires you to zoom in on the camera and be at its level. The pet should fill the frame and the photographer’s point of view should be close to the pet’s eye level. When zooming in with the camera is not an option, zooming can help achieve similar results, and when all else fails, cropping during the editing phase can also improve results. Although the pet’s eyes should be the focus of the photo in most cases, it’s important to shoot with the camera at an angle if using a flash to eliminate the eerie glow that can occur when the flash bounces off the eye.
Whenever possible, it’s best to avoid using your camera’s flash with a pet. The risk of getting an unwanted reflection in the eyes is significant and some pets will even learn to avoid the flash by closing their eyes at the wrong time. For this reason, photographing pets outdoors is often easier, especially early or late in the day or in the shade when strong sunlight doesn’t take away their features. When shooting indoors and available light is poor, better photos are easier with a camera that allows the built-in flash to be disabled or removed. The photographer can then bounce the light off a wall or ceiling to avoid harsh glare.
Choosing an appropriate camera setting can help ensure optimal focus. Many consumer cameras have settings like portrait and action that work well. Using burst mode or the sequential shot setting when trying to capture images of a pet at play can allow for quick shots that best capture the activity.
For the millions of people and families who have pets as part of their lives, preserving the memories of their time with us can be important. A good camera and knowing just a few photography techniques can help capture images that will be treasured for years to come.
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