| Dogs and cats, puppies and kittens are photographic
naturals. Children are the only subjects who can steal the show from them. The problems in
photographing both children and pets are quite similar, since young children and
pets don’t take direction! They are always themselves and should be shown in
all their 'naturalness'. By using reasonably good photographic techniques, your
photographs will have an appealing quality all their own. Pets, like young children, are
unpredictable and have an irresistible charm. But pets can be shy and moody
creatures. They are individualists, with their own definite set habits and personalities.
Each photograph you make is a separate character study of the pet or pet’s involved.
An animals positive nature usually prevails and it's your challenge to catch it on film.
Use Simple Backgrounds and Props
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Most pets do not pose, but their actions may be conditioned. They are
completely still only when asleep. Dogs and cats have an inherent grace and beauty. It is
quite simple to take a ‘good’ pet photograph because of the nature of the
subject. The challenge is making a ‘good’ image into a ‘great’ image!
That’s what we will explore here. It is impossible for you not to have fun and
satisfaction in successfully conquering the problems and challenges encountered in
photographing pets.
PLANNING
 Pet
photography is a constant paradox: a paradox of plan plus accident. Before beginning to
photograph, it’s best to come up with some basic picture ideas, i.e. general
locations, lighting, props etc. After that, the general composition of the photo must be
carefully planned, i.e. Close-up, medium shot, full-length etc. When the basic ideas and
the general composition are set, the accidents of form and the surprising expressions of
the animal, together will create the completed photographs.
Patience is, without a doubt, the prime requisite in photographing pets. Props such as dog
biscuits, a feather you can flutter and toys are helpful aids, but only work if properly
handled. Everyone is familiar with the way cats react to catnip and puppies react to
biscuits. These props can be used to lure and keep the animal at a given spot, but if you
want a fixed pose, that is where your patience begins.
EXPRESSIONS
Expression in dogs and cats is the sum of many elements: eyes, ears, nose,
body forms. Eyes are the more important factor of this combination.
For an alert, amazed, or frightened expression, both eye and iris must be visible. Next
are ears, they should always be ‘up’ to make the animal look alert. There is
nothing as bad as ‘droopy’ ears on what should be an alert animal! The nose
should be wet and shine from your lighting pattern.
Eyes, Ears, Nose and Form
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Beautiful body forms are usually accidents. Patience, verbal
directions and watchful waiting for the animal to assume the required pose, are the
only solution.
These simple elements of eyes, ears, nose and body
forms may not be what you will be looking for in your images. You may want
to photograph your animal asleep or in a more candid position. But for ‘great’
portraits of dogs and cats keep in mind these four basic elements of expressions.
TECHNIQUE
 The natural curiosity of pets may also be used to the
photographers advantage. An understanding assistant, preferably the animal’s owner or
someone who relates to pets, can be of great help.
Because pets have become so much a part of their home surroundings much stress has been
placed on photographing them with artificial light indoors. Outdoor pictures of most pets
can be a problem since it is difficult to confine the animal to a definite area.
The actual technique of photographing pets presents certain specific problems. The
first step in photographing dogs and cats is to restrict the area in which the animal may
move. A familiar spot should be chosen which naturally confines it: a tabletop, hassock,
favorite chair, cat tree, pillow, or rug. This simplifies focusing and the effective
use of depth of field. Focus on the important point in the composition. If necessary,
place the pet for a short time, at this point and focus. No thought need be given to the
animal itself until the time the photo is actually taken. The aperture should be closed
down to cover the depth of field, which should correspond to the restricted area. In this
way, sharpness is maintained even if the pet moves. Naturally the shutter speed must be
fast enough to stop whatever action occurs. Next determine the correct exposure for
you’re lighting. When you are set, place the pet in the proper spot and apply
"Patience, props and verbal directions."
SHUTTER SPEEDS
Extremely fast shutter speeds need be used in only two
cases: outdoors, where pets are naturally restless and have to be caught in action, and
indoors when movements of play are being photographed. Action indoors should be
photographed with a flash unit. The latter is by far the better light for stopping action,
as flash will stop all movement.
Use Your Flash To Stop Action
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EXPOSURE
Exposure should be not only correct, but a little generous, because fur texture is
important. Dog and cat images should have a furry textured feeling.
This Image is Over-Exposed by 1/2 Stop
Note The 'furry' Feeling
|
LIGHTING
Four types of lighting are available to the photographer:
sunlight, flash, artificial lighting and available light.
Sunlight needs little explanation. Bright sunlight is best; hazy or dull sunlight tends
to flatten textural quality.
Flash is most important in taking action photographs, but it also has other useful
functions. First, it produces the previously mentioned, eye and iris, for certain
expressions. It is best to use multiple flash in such instances. Balance the lighting by
using one flash on the camera, another as a slave unit. Flash is also excellent as a
balance, fill-in, or supplementary light to sunlight either in or out of doors. The most
effective usage is to take a strongly backlit subject and alleviate the shadow area by
shooting into it with your flash.
Artificial light, (floodlights, tungsten or quartz-halogen) if properly handled, is the
most effective lighting medium. Sunlight effects can be obtained. A textural quality is
achieved which no other lighting can equal. Softness and a dimensional quality can be
given because you have complete control of the lighting. The 45-degree angle lighting and
its modified forms are best suited for planned pet pictures. The lighting should be
balanced to give a feeling of daylight.
With today’s fast film speeds and electronic cameras, available light is also a
good and simple option. Make sure that you have enough exposure to retain your depth
of field and that the available light your using has some dimensions to it.
BACKGROUNDS
 Simple backgrounds are best. If a light background is required, it is better
to light it separately with the flood or spotlight. If you are photographing in a home
where there are no plain walls, throw the background out of focus.
When using flash on the camera, be careful of backgrounds. The aperture is often small,
producing great depth of field. In this situation, the background, if not neutral, tends
to compete with the subject for attention. The best procedure is to plan the background
carefully in order to accent the subject. One way to do this is by contrast. If the animal
is dark, place it against a well lit, light background; conversely, try a dark background
for a light color pet.
GROUPS
Even more charming than a photo of a single pet is
one of a group of pets. The important fundamental to remember is to restrict the area,
since pets are among the world’s most curious and active creatures. If you have four
or five to deal with, dig deeply into your fund of patience. Use a basket or box lined
with some soft, dull-finished material to restrict them to a given area. Because of their
curiosity they will try to crawl out. Group pictures must be taken at high speeds,
preferably with flash. The pet’s movements, at such times, are usually quicker than
the photographer realizes. From a picture standpoint, baskets photograph better than
boxes. Other interesting pictures result when shooting from a low angle at groups of pets
on a small table or desktop as they peer over the edge.
Use Your Flash For Groups
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Pedigreed pets should be shown to best advantage
for show possibilities. The photographer should cooperate with the owner or breeder,
who will want certain features to predominate. Take time with the breeder, do some
research on the breed you'll be photographing, get to know your subject. But from the show
dog to the alley cat, the technique is much the same. They are lively, beautiful
creature’s, each with their own personalities, and for that reason they are
always interesting and fun to photograph. |
