How to Take Perfect Pooch Photos

How to Take Perfect Pooch Photos

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Posted 2021-03-07 by Neil Follettfollow
Over the years as a photographer, I have judged many photo competitions in which the subject was dogs. As a working photographer, I have also photographed many dogs myself.




If your dog is mildly trained and will sit and stay on command, you are well on the way to get some perfect pooch photos of your pet.




My technique is simple. Select a suitable location. A park is better than your backyard because you need to watch the background, so when people look at your photos they will look at Fido, not what is in the background.


Pose your dog sitting, focus and frame your photo, then softly say the word "meow", imitating a cat to attract their attention. Your subject will then cock its ears or tilt its head or if you are lucky do both. That's when you trip the shutter. When I first tried this technique I was worried that my subject might make a mighty leapt to "get the cat." They didn't. Plan B was to say "Woof".


Popular portrayal of human subjects is what we call environmental portraits; that is to photograph your subject in their environment. For example, photograph a librarian in a library and a teacher in a classroom.


Does your doggy have their own kennel? Try a photo of them proudly sitting at the entrance. Do they have a favourite toy to play with? Take your doggy subject a nice juicy bone and photograph them gnawing at it. If you do that, make sure it is the last photo you take as you won't relieve the dog of its bone without a bite, or at least an unfriendly growl.




One of my pet hates with pet photos, particularly with dogs, is showing their collar, particularly if there is a council ID tag hanging on it. Take the collar off, unless you own a bulldog and it is wearing a wide studded collar, which adds to the photo rather than distracting.


Dogs like to run, so go to an off lead area and get some action shots. If you toss a tennis ball into the air you dog will probably leap into the air to get it before it hits the ground.




There are a few enclosed dog parks where your canine friend can run free with other dogs and this is a good opportunity to photograph your dog enjoying themselves among new found friends.


Treat photographing dogs like photographing children. Get down to their level. Looking at a dog or child from a standing position is how we usually view them. Getting down to their level gives a different perspective.

With a bit of practice, you will get some perfect pooch photos.




If you don't have a dog, but only a cat, my advice is, don't even try.

#animals_wildlife
#dog_friendly
#outdoor
%wneverywhere
84326 - 2023-06-11 06:52:58

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