by Eliza McGraw
The very second you approach your dog with a camera, he changes from a beautiful and noble example of canine perfection into a lop-eared, drooling beast only an owner could love. How can you, as his photographer and owner, capture his best, most photogenic self on film — or, more accurately these days, on a digital memory card?
Taking good pictures of your pets requires thinking of the situation from your pet's point of view. You seem to want to pay attention to him, but you have this weird metal thing on your face. He can't see your eyes, and every time he comes near, you scoot back. What is going on?
Use an Assistant
To help you take good pictures of your pets, find an assistant who can keep the animal's attention while you concentrate on taking the picture. Some pets respond to the crinkling of cellophane in a pocket (is that a treat?) and others to the squeak of a favorite or new toy. Cats' eyes follow a laser pointer, and if you have a fast enough camera, you might catch a great shot of your cat leaping to catch the red dot of light. Horses turn bright-eyed and attentive when they hear a carrot snapped in two. To photograph fish in a tank, press the lens to the tank and have your assistant feed the fish to guarantee some appealing activity.
Go Outside for Natural Light
You get the best results taking pictures of your pet in natural light because you can turn off the flash, thus avoiding the dreaded demonically possessed eyes effect. Dawn and dusk flatter portrait subjects the most, and a bright but overcast day produces nice shots with few distracting shadows. Avoid direct sunlight, which causes harsh shadow "stripes" and squinting subjects.
Natural light also helps you capture the catchlight, the name photographers have for the all-important white-appearing sparkle in an animal (or person's) eye. The catchlight conveys life and animation. To achieve this effect, focus on your pet's eyes as you prepare your shot. Clear, crisp eyes rescue a photograph, while a shot with blurry eyes and sharply focused fur goes into the trash folder.
Consider the Setting
Plan the your background before you shoot — your cat sitting on his favorite chair or your dog waiting by the back door captures your pet's personality better than an overly posed calendar-style portrait. Move household clutter aside — the laundry basket, the piles of papers. Think about your pet's color, as well; a white cat fades into a white wall. Finally, check for objects behind your pet, such as tall plants, that make it look like something's growing out of your pet's head.
Get the Right Perspective
Position yourself on the ground to take pictures of dogs and cats. Sit cross-legged or crouch to get the best perspective. Photographing a dog or cat from above results in a what-did-I-do-wrong expression. You can also place your pet on a bench or table so you can shoot them more comfortably, but bear in mind that some pets grow anxious if they are placed at an uncomfortable height, and you wind up with a worried expression in your photograph.
Large animals, such as horses, require different positioning. Unless you are very tall, taking pictures of horses from the ground produces a last-thing-I-saw-before-the-horse-ate-me photo if you get too close. Try standing on a mounting block or the lower rung of a corral fence. Choose a head shot, whole body shot, or one with trunk and head — cropped horses' legs look awkward. Avoid shooting through fences and gates, and watch for barnyard clutter and manure.
Shoot, Shoot, Shoot
No matter what your pet's species or size, shoot continually, because a great shot lasts just a moment. Keep shooting as your pet looks around. Keep shooting if he gets up. Keep shooting if he scratches his ear. Just keep shooting.
As you strive for that perfect pet portrait, don't confine yourself to one event. Hang on to your camera and experiment. You'll find which positions and places appeal to you the most, and your pet will acclimate to your camera, allowing you to capture more natural poses and moments. Keep sessions short and end with a favorite treat for a job well done.
When photographing pets, be patient. And remember, there is always the adorable shot of the peacefully sleeping cat or dog. Easy and cute. What more could you want?
Eliza McGraw's animal photography has appeared in various horse magazines. She takes many, many pictures of her dog Cash and horse Sugar in Washington, DC.
Copyright 2010, Sears Brands, LLC. All Rights Reserved.