Anyone who has the pleasure of sharing their life with a pet, no matter what kind, knows that they are considered to be another member of the family - and as such, it's a given that you want to get an exquisite photograph that captures their true personality and natural beauty. This isn't as easy as you think, as pets are exceedingly tough to photograph. While you may think it's merely a matter of getting them to sit still while you take that classic shot, it's never the case. In contrast to people, pets don't pose when you ask them. While your pet might give you unconditional love every day, this might not be the case when you are trying to get a great photograph!
The great thing about pets is their curious nature, but if you want to take a photograph, sometimes it can be a bit of a problem. If your pet knows that they are the focus of attention, they will probably get over excited, and the more you try to settle them down, the more they will assume that it's a game! Therefore, it's normally a good idea to take pictures of your pet in their normal environment, doing what they enjoy the most, as they are more likely to settle down. This is a time when you have an excuse to use a little treat as bribery - when your pet is aware that there's a a chance of a little something in reward, they are much more likely to do exactly what you want.
Let your dog be himself! With dogs, you will get the most amazing photograph if they are unconstrained, displaying their real character. It's a good idea to simply allow them to run around, as the best possible canine shots reveal their independent spirit, something that you may not be able to properly capture if you attempt to take a static shot. A dog running free is poetry in motion. Then again, if your dog loves to lounge around, a picture of him simply relaxing would make a charming shot. Try shooting the picture on your dog's level. This could mean sitting or lying down. Prior to shooting, let your pup sniff the camera; when it's covered with his scent it will make him more relaxed, and just be himself.
Cats are extremely strong willed and sometimes a little reserved. Capturing the quintessential photograph involves plenty of time and tenacity, and sometimes, a little bit of craftiness on your part!. The first thing to remember is that your feline won't change in any way to take into consideration your requirements - it's all about you meeting their needs. You will have the best chance of a superb shot if you take a picture of them in their home, as this is what they think of as their kingdom. A good piece of advice for photographing your cat is to sit tight until they are comfortable in a calm environment, and then make a little noise to get their attention. This way, you are likely to get that second to none photograph with them looking straight at the camera.
Whichever type of pet you have, try to use natural light if you get a chance. If you use a flash it will likely scare your pet, and once they are skittish, your photo session is finished. Another advantage of natural light is that it can magnify the natural sparkle in their eye. No matter if it's dog or cat, fish, reptile or horse, the eyes are the most telling part of their personality, letting you take a shot that expresses exactly who they are. Attempt to keep the photograph as distraction-free as possible - anything extra in the photograph will detract from what is intended to be the centre of attention - your pet!
Most of all, try to make it a fun experience. If your pet thinks that what the two of you are doing is something positive, they will be much more likely to cooperate. Once they sense stress, the expectation of getting a picture is zero. Don't be concerned about lining up the perfect shot every time - simply keep snapping, changing your angles and approaches. If you take multiple pictures, you will have a better chance to capture that unique shot that sums up the personality of your special friend. Bear in mind that for every 50 shots you take, only a couple of them may be what you are looking for. If nothing else, you can always wait until special friend is sleeping, to get that endearing shot of them at their most peaceful!
The great thing about pets is their curious nature, but if you want to take a photograph, sometimes it can be a bit of a problem. If your pet knows that they are the focus of attention, they will probably get over excited, and the more you try to settle them down, the more they will assume that it's a game! Therefore, it's normally a good idea to take pictures of your pet in their normal environment, doing what they enjoy the most, as they are more likely to settle down. This is a time when you have an excuse to use a little treat as bribery - when your pet is aware that there's a a chance of a little something in reward, they are much more likely to do exactly what you want.
Let your dog be himself! With dogs, you will get the most amazing photograph if they are unconstrained, displaying their real character. It's a good idea to simply allow them to run around, as the best possible canine shots reveal their independent spirit, something that you may not be able to properly capture if you attempt to take a static shot. A dog running free is poetry in motion. Then again, if your dog loves to lounge around, a picture of him simply relaxing would make a charming shot. Try shooting the picture on your dog's level. This could mean sitting or lying down. Prior to shooting, let your pup sniff the camera; when it's covered with his scent it will make him more relaxed, and just be himself.
Cats are extremely strong willed and sometimes a little reserved. Capturing the quintessential photograph involves plenty of time and tenacity, and sometimes, a little bit of craftiness on your part!. The first thing to remember is that your feline won't change in any way to take into consideration your requirements - it's all about you meeting their needs. You will have the best chance of a superb shot if you take a picture of them in their home, as this is what they think of as their kingdom. A good piece of advice for photographing your cat is to sit tight until they are comfortable in a calm environment, and then make a little noise to get their attention. This way, you are likely to get that second to none photograph with them looking straight at the camera.
Whichever type of pet you have, try to use natural light if you get a chance. If you use a flash it will likely scare your pet, and once they are skittish, your photo session is finished. Another advantage of natural light is that it can magnify the natural sparkle in their eye. No matter if it's dog or cat, fish, reptile or horse, the eyes are the most telling part of their personality, letting you take a shot that expresses exactly who they are. Attempt to keep the photograph as distraction-free as possible - anything extra in the photograph will detract from what is intended to be the centre of attention - your pet!
Most of all, try to make it a fun experience. If your pet thinks that what the two of you are doing is something positive, they will be much more likely to cooperate. Once they sense stress, the expectation of getting a picture is zero. Don't be concerned about lining up the perfect shot every time - simply keep snapping, changing your angles and approaches. If you take multiple pictures, you will have a better chance to capture that unique shot that sums up the personality of your special friend. Bear in mind that for every 50 shots you take, only a couple of them may be what you are looking for. If nothing else, you can always wait until special friend is sleeping, to get that endearing shot of them at their most peaceful!
About the Author:
Alisha C Elliott is engaged in offering assistance about cat photography from www.clintimages.com
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