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