by Gigi McWhirter
Whenever I want my dog to give me some space, I pull out my camera and pretend I am getting ready to take a picture of her and faster than I can say “Smile!” she bolts!
And when I really want to take her photo, I have to catch her off guard and snap as fast as I can without her noticing.
Candid shots are often the best, but occasionally, it is nice to have a posed photo.
Here are some suggestions for taking photos of your pets:
Find the right light: Avoid bright, direct sunlight. Cloudy days are the best for taking photos outside. Indoor pics are best when taken by a window or glass door to take advantage of the natural light.
Use lamps instead of a flash: When shooting indoor pictures avoid the red or flash eye effect by using lamps. A desk lamp with a flexible neck works well.
Avoid camera shake: Take a breath while taking the photo. You can also try resting your elbows on a flat surface such as a table or fence post.
Follow the action: These shots turn out best if you follow your dog with your camera while taking a snapshot. The pet will turn out clear and the background will look blurry to remind the viewer of movement.
Keep background uncluttered: If possible, use a solid color so the pet stands out and the viewer will not be looking at the stuff in the background.
Shoot at eye level: Photographs taken at the pet’s eye level are the best to show life from the animal’s perspective.
Getting pet to look your way: Try using treats, whistling, or a high-pitched sound to get the animal to look at you while snapping the photo.
Editing your pictures with your camera’s built-in features or photo apps can create fun and beautiful images of your up-and-coming social media superstar!
Happy Tails to you!
