Photographing a cat or a dog takes a lot of patience, but the results are well worth the effort. After all, your furry, four-footed companion is a member of your family and a good photograph of your pet will be treasured for years to come. Here are some tips for taking outstanding pictures of your family pet. As always, start with the basics: Charge your camera's batteries (or insert fresh batteries). Make sure you've got spares in case you run out and one or more memory cards with space for all of the pictures you plan to take. Also, make sure you know how to operate your camera and set it to the right mode to take the best pictures.
You can also have a friend or family member assisting you with toys and treats while you photograph your pet.
Use a flash
Like children, pets don't stay still very long. You'll probably need a flash, even if you're taking a picture outdoors in sunlight, or indoors in a brightly lit room. If your camera allows you to, reduce the brightness of your flash to its lowest level. This will give you enough light to freeze the animal in motion without washing out the colours of her fur, flooding the picture with light or creating excessive red-eye. If you're taking action shots outdoors, remember that the range of your flash is limited to about 12 feet.
Choose your background carefully
If you're photographing indoors, simple backgrounds and solid colours are best. Use common sense. Don't photograph your black Labrador on a black leather couch. If your calico cat's coat matches the colour of your ottoman's upholstery, take the picture elsewhere. Avoid patterned and textured backgrounds, as they distract from the texture of your animal's fur. If you're photographing outdoors, make sure that the sun is to the side of your subject and not behind it. The sky makes a great background, especially when you're taking action shots. If you're shooting against a background of trees, buildings or other objects, make sure that their shadows don't fall on your subject. Again, make sure that your subject doesn't blend into the background.
Get close - Use your zoom and macro functions
A close up shot is expressive, colourful and full of texture. Your camera's macro function is designed to let you get within 10 cm. of an object and reveals exquisite detail and variations in colour. It is especially useful capturing the subtleties of an animal's coat, or the luminosity of its eyes.
Be playful
Make sure to bring treats and your pet's favourite toy. You'll want to
reward her for her efforts. You can also photograph your pet at play.
Remember to use your flash to freeze her motions and snap lots of pictures.
(You can select the shots you like later.) Practice "tracking" your pet with
the camera, that is, follow her actions with your camera, all the while
ensuring that she stays in the frame. You can also have a friend or family
member assisting you with toys and treats while you photograph your pet.
Pet Photography Continued: [1] [2]
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Inside Pet Photography:
This pet photography tutorial teaches you how to take outstanding portraits of your pets. You'll learn how to use your zoom and macro functions to get up close and personal with your four-legged friends, how to choose a background and when to use a flash. You'll also learn how to photograph an animal in motion and how to make the picture taking process fun for you and your pet.
To make the most of your pet photographs, Black's recommends:
Compact Cameras
8x - 10x optical zoom to get a great perspective on your beloved animal friend.
A sports/action mode to capture your pet in motion.
Digital SLRs
An external flash to give you better texture and colours when freezing motion.
Accessories
A bigger memory card to take more shots and get that elusive shot.
Processing
A Black's photomug. Take your pet to work every day in the form of a custom coffee cup you'll be proud to show off.
Other Photo Tutorials:
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