p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.3px 'Times New Roman'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000} span.s1 {font-kerning: none} All of us surely likes to take pictures of our pets. However, the photographs don’t always turn out according to our expectation. Therefore, here is bit of advice, how to best manage picture taking, and best capture our furry friends.
Think about the personality of your pet The best way is to try to capture a cat or a dog at the moment when they are showing their personality. If you have a lazy couch pet, try to take a picture of them in their sleep. On the other hand, of you have a “hyper” dog or cat at home, take their favourite toy and try taking a picture of them in action. The easiest way how to capture a dog in action is to take picture of them when they are coming back to you with a fetch. The easiest portrait is then before you throw a fetch or a treat. That’s the reason why it is a good idea to take a friend with you, who will take care of the activity with the dog. Since you might have too little hands for throwing fetch or drawing their attention by a treat and taking pictures :).
Be on the same level with the animal My favourite pictures of pets were created just like this, when I was lying in front of them on the floor. This will give you and your viewer a better look on the life of a dog or a cat. If you are outside, maybe you will get a little bit dirty, but the results are usually worth it.
Use correct lighting and settings Usually, the same light that is flattering for humans is good for cats and dogs as well. The best option is for sure a natural source of light. In cats, the light source is usually a window, in dogs, it is the sun. Around noon, you will have to deal with high contrast, which can be an issue especially when taking pictures of black dogs. That’s why it is better to find a shady corner for shooting. When taking photographs of movement, don’t forget to set a sufficiently short time of the shutter. You can get advice also in the article "When and where to photograph".
Be patient You can use the series of several pictures in a second and hope, that you will capture the right moment, but the greater practice you will have in taking pictures of your pets, the less you will need this method. It pays off to be patient and to wait for the right moment. It helps to anticipate, what your pet will do and to press the shutter release at the right moment. Don’t expect to get a perfect shot on a first try, just photograph away, until you manage to take a perfect picture. And if not one photograph turns out well, don’t let yourself be discouraged and try it again later.
Be creative and have fun Play with your pet and try to focus their attention on the lens. Use toys or treats to for this. Play with the background and lighting, for example, try to take pictures at sundown or in a shady room, where a streak of light is heading in through the window. Try using a wide-angle lens or a fish eye.
How are your picture taking skill when it comes to your pets? Have you been to a class? Share your fun stories from shooting!
When one says a mini breed, most of you will immediately think of a Chihuahua. And it’s not surprising, its the smallest dog breed in the world. They are popular abroad as well as in the Czech Republic and they are often picked by people whose desire...
The Ragdoll, a cat which reminds you of a dog with its behaviour, was in the top three favourite breeds among keepers in 2017. At the worldwide scale, it is on the second place, right after the Maine Coon. The Ragdoll is a very cuddly pet which is into...
Cats have always been regarded as mystical animals with many mysteries. One of them might be the question why these creatures like sitting in a circle so much.
You might be asking why should a cat learn to walk on a leash in the first place? It doesn’t mean you should go hiking with your cat. However, a short walk might be a great adventure for your cat. And you can’t do that without a leash, especially in a...
Keeping an eye on the weight no longer concerns only us, the two-legged creatures. Vets deal with overweight and obese pets more and more often. Most often, it applies to dogs and cats, but even rodents can easily suffer from obesity. How to prevent...
Toxins are accumulated in body during winter and spring is therefore the best season for detoxification. Everything awakens and people purify their bodies so why shouldn’t we involve our closest companions to it?
The fact that it’s no problem to go for a journey across the whole continent (or even the whole world) together with your pet is well-known to the owners of three cat travellers – Bengal cat Suki, courageous cat Wilow and fearless tom cat Simon. They...
One of my New Year’s resolutions this year was to be more active. A dog is a great companion for an active life. What is a healthy level of exercising with a dog?
These portions seem so small, shouldn’t I give my dog more? And should the dry food be dipped or not? And how many times a day should I feed my dog? And should I supplement the food by something? When should we switch to adult dog food? This is only a...
Do you know how to properly behave with your furry friends in national parks and protected nature areas? Are you sick of all the trash in city parks? And are you considering what you should do to be a more eco-friendly dog owner? You can also...
Siberian Husky is an amazing dog breed. It is a very active dog. Agile, strong and distinctive. That’s why many mushers use them to pull their sledges. It is said that all dogs who like pulling are suitable for a dog sled, but a Siberian Husky really...
Domestic cats don’t go outside as often as dogs and you have to prepare them for travelling. However, they won’t avoid visiting a vet or travelling to a cottage from time to time.
