| Digital cameras make it easy and fun for | | | | bold and beautiful still shots: Use the |
| amateurs to capture endearing images of their | | | | vertical camera position and get |
| pets. Tiny dogs, big dogs, beautiful dogs, | | | | |
| scruffy or ugly dogs; they all have an innate | | | | close-up to capture his facial features, |
| grace about them. The lift and tilt of their | | | | expressions and the texture of his fur. Start |
| head, the quizzical look when you address | | | | shooting the moment he settles down, and keep |
| them, the body-posture of anticipation; we | | | | shooting. Don't stop to checkout the |
| love them and we want great photos. If you | | | | shot-quality. The best shots will be when he |
| want memory-maker photos, try these easy | | | | isn't looking directly at you. His eyes are |
| tips:Choose Bright Light and a Familiar | | | | the most compelling feature but it's also |
| Location: Plan to shoot outside, if possible. | | | | important that his ears are up and his nose |
| The light outside is brighter, and brighter | | | | is moist. Pull back for a medium or |
| light is best. Pick a familiar outdoor spot, | | | | full-length shot, using the horizontal camera |
| probably your backyard. Think about what kind | | | | position.For vibrant and high-spirited action |
| of shot you want: Do you want a playful, | | | | shots: You know Max well, so you know where |
| vigorous and alert shot of Max or do you want | | | | he scampers, ferrets and has the most fun. |
| to see his gentle, sweet and mellow-side? The | | | | Does he like to roll in the grass, nudge a |
| sun must be to the side of your pet, not | | | | ball with his nose, or crouch for a |
| behind him. Put Max in the spot where you | | | | low-flying bird? With the digital setting on |
| want to photograph him. Get down eye-to-eye | | | | Sport Mode, snap away. Most digital shutter |
| with him and check the background. Is there | | | | speeds are not fast enough to capture a |
| good contrast between his fur and the | | | | moving image at just the right moment, but |
| background? Are there shadows falling from a | | | | lots and lots of pics, shot in quick |
| roof-line or garage? Is the background messy | | | | succession, will yield some very good photos |
| with children's toys, a trash can or lawn | | | | of your pet's shenanigans.Flash Tips: In |
| furniture that you don't want in the shot? If | | | | natural light (outdoors), your flash is |
| so, something has to go -- either the | | | | probably limited to a range of 10 to 12 feet. |
| unwanted props or Max. Let Max be the | | | | Try both flash and no flash to determine what |
| star.Take Time to Practice: Practice setting | | | | works best. Most digital cameras have a |
| up the shot you want. If your dog,(we'll call | | | | "fill-in" or "force flash" setting. With this |
| him "Max") is trained to sit, then you have a | | | | option on, you'll get a flash every time you |
| great shot right in front of you, if not, | | | | press the shutter button, which should bring |
| then it's a bit like teaching him a new | | | | out unique details such as the color and |
| trick. Most dogs do not like to pose but | | | | texture of fur and luminous eyes. The |
| you'll encourage him through repetition. | | | | "fill-in" flash may |
| Kneel or lie down close, with the camera | | | | |
| positioned at just below his eye-level. | | | | over-expose and the auto-flash may not |
| Zoom-in and fill the frame with Max. He'll | | | | activate because it isn't dark enough. |
| certainly be curious and move in and out of | | | | Practice, practice, practice and be familiar |
| the shot. While Max is getting familiar with | | | | with your camera to maximize its |
| you "down there," you can see the lighting | | | | options.Indoor tips: Lighting indoors is a |
| and composition of the photo in the LED. Use | | | | special challenge. Use simple lighting and |
| his favorite toy to distract him or | | | | then judge what you need to add or take away. |
| wait-him-out...just relax in position. He'll | | | | Pay close attention to backgrounds: make sure |
| tire of you, eventually, and suss out the | | | | your pet has a contrasting background and |
| birds or squirrels. Lure him back to the | | | | avoid busy patterned fabrics or |
| photo spot with a favorite biscuit or snack. | | | | upholstery.Tips for dogs and kids: Children |
| He will quickly learn that a treat is in | | | | can get their pets to do amazing things. Can |
| store when he is in the photo spot, and that | | | | the kids get Max to wear a hat for a still |
| will mean a good camera shot for | | | | shot? Great "chase" shots are taken with a |
| you.Persistence and Repetition: Repeat the | | | | child in the lead. Get a shot of your dog |
| practice steps for a week or so, taking | | | | "kissing" a child, grandma or gramps, by |
| photos each day, with and without the flash, | | | | putting a spot of butter or honey where you |
| and always using the Sport Mode shutter | | | | want the kiss to be.General Tips: Have your |
| speed. Let Max get to know and expect the | | | | dog brushed and clean. Consider removing his |
| flash. After the session is over, you'll make | | | | collar as light can reflect off of it. Keep |
| an educated decision about using the flash or | | | | the atmosphere fun. If you are tense, |
| not. Delete the practice photos, if you want, | | | | irritable and impatient your pet will be too. |
| and start again tomorrow. The drill is to get | | | | Take lots and lots of shots and you'll get |
| Max familiar with the camera in your hand, | | | | more than a few very good ones. |
| the flash and the same location every day.For | | | | |