Photograph outside - think about the light and background
Photographing outside might be the best way. The daylight shows right colors of your pet and the light in general looks much better. It is very important that you send me a photo with right colors, otherwise it might get wrong on the painting or drawing. Be sure that direct sunlight hasn't made your animal's eyes much lighter than they usually are. With dark dogs it may be helpful or even necessary to use a little bit of flash - it is easy to adjust flash strength with some digital cameras. Always keep the flash away from animal's eyes!
You may make the animal to close eyes or the animal will be with blue or green eyes which make the photo useless for painting or drawing. Low sun just after the sunrise and before sunset will bring out more colours and it may be fun to try to use it. Still remember - what is on photo will be also on painting.
The background may easily be changed in mock up but it may still be something to think about. Don't forget - you will take lots of pics and some may end up also in family album. Use natural environment where the animal is feeling comfortable. Happy face is beautiful face! Avoid too much detail in background - it will 'hide' the animal. Avoid too much contrast and also too similar colours with the animal. Natural green is usually the best but dalmatian with tan spots looks awesome on light sand while looks too pale on dark grass.
Look your pet in everyday life and find those wow moments when your animal looks great. When you position your animal then look also lines behind the dog. Horizon 'cutting' off half of the head is not the best option. |
Don't forget about the shadows! Otherwise a promising picture is ruined by shadow - sun is from behind. Rottweiler Songa
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Dog 'hiding' in background. Too similar colours and finding the dog may really be a challenge. Pitbull Bronx.
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Even simple brick wall can be nice background for an elegant dog showing off her autumn outfit. Mixed breed Jessi.
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Be sure your animal is clean - or muddy if you prefere :)
Sounds like silly thing to remind but if you look around on different homepages you will notice lots of pictures where great picture of fantastic animal is ruined with bit of cookie on the lip or a little tear in the corner of the eye.
If part of you animal's personality is dirty face and half of the bush in long hair then you may consider it also on photo but think before sending that photo to be painted - are you really sure you want it on your wall later on?
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Wish her head would be dry….. Rottweiler Songa |
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Ask help if needed
Two people can be present when taking a photo. It is easier when one is distracting the dog with a toy or with only voice while the other person is taking the photo. Sometimes may be better to take pictures alone or with no distraction by the other person. It may take up to an hour to get few good shots but may be worth it. It takes lots of patience and waiting and dozens of bad photos but at the end the animal will look more 'natural'. Never rush when animals are involved! You can't make them smile but you can make them to relax and then they smile themselves!
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Angles and levels
Angles are very important. Go down to animal's level (or up if you happen to own a giraffe or really big horse).
If you are taking a portrait then be at the same level with animal's eyes. Don`t look down on your animal when taking a picture. Take the photo when your pet is looking slightly to the left or right of the camera. Straight on shots or directly from the side can make the animal's face look flat. Don't leave your pet with only one eye - both should be seen. Look also the position of ears, tongue, lips and even long hair.
When you take the picture of whole animal then shoulder height is usually the best. If you take the picture under an angle from bit more in front then you may make animal's body look shorter. Photos directly from the side may make the body look longer than it usually is and make the whole picture look flat. Pictures taken too high make legs shorter and too low will make them longer.
Try different positions to find the best one. It may be tempting to 'hide' something you don't really like but you may end up loosing something unique your pet has.
When the animal has taken the position that seems to be great then be fast! Better three pictures that look exactly the same than one where one eye is almost closed.
Good question is how far you should be from the animal. Depends on you, your pet and your camera! If you have good lens for your camera then it may be better to be bit further away so that the animal is more free and also more interested of the surrounding which may help a lot. Don't forget to zoom if needed!
At the same time some animals relax more when owner is closer to them.
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Both photos are of the same beautiful mare. Look how the positioning of the horse and photographer change her proportions. Tori mare Alondra. |
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Eyes
Think about the eyes - they are mirror of your pet's soul! The animal must have open eyes and look straight to the camera or slightly to the side. If I can`t get the eyes right because of a bad photo, then the portrait won`t look good.
Eyes are the most important thing. Don't use flash or if you really have to then use it under an angle. Take the photo outside, then natural light should be all what you need - scroll back to read more about it.
Only you really know when your pet's eyes are 'right' - when your best friend is happy, in good mood, is thinking. in bad mood or feels pain.
When you look at the picture you should feel it also from it - then the picture is 'talking' and writing about the animal, and also the moment when the photo was taken, will help to get the same feeling also to the drawing or painting.
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This cat is talking whole story with only her eyes. Cat Päts |
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Focus
Make sure the animal's face is in focus. If you have a very good camera, try to focus on the eyes, then I think you can get it right. Black dogs are harder to photograph because it's harder for the camera to focus if everything is black. If you can use manual focus with your camera then it may be good idea to try it.
With autofocus avoid sharper and lighter details in background that may make the camera to focus on them. Make lots of pictures and re-focus many times. There are just few things that are more frustrating than discovering that 10+ otherwise fantastic shots of your pet were all focused on a camomile bloom.
Don't be frustrated if the animal is very slightly out of focus. It may be adjustable in computer but don't rely on that!
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Nice photo of a puppy after rough play but focus is on some bright green leaves in front. Long haired dutch shepherd Gerri.
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Last but not least - take your time!
Never go out with the idea that today you will get the best shot of your animal. It will just add extra and definitely not needed pressure to the situation.
Carry your camera with you and just keep taking photos. Sometimes the best pictures just 'happen'. Also don't think only about your pet, there are tons of great pictures just waiting to be taken.
Practice your photography skills on different things and one day getting a great photo of your animal is much much easier than it used to be. Most important - have fun!
don't hesitate to take a photo even when the
animal is not so co-operative. Guinea pig Tatikas.
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Not the best quality photo but the moment itself is worth a fortune. Jack russell terrier puppy Milvi.
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Good luck and please Contact me if you have any more questions… |
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