1. Introduction
Dogs are Family Too
2. Choosing a Camera
Digital vs. traditional film
3. Always Be Prepared
Candid photos
4. Let There Be Light
Flash vs. natural light
5. Know Your Subject
Finding the right mood
6. Composition
Perspective is everything
7. Bragging Rights
Displaying your photos
8. Resources
Glossary & helpful links
Introduction
Dogs are Family Too: Part 1 of 8It's no secret that your pampered puppy is a very important figure in your family. Like a child, they demand lots of attention. And they deserve every bit of it! They have lots of toys and their own bed. They enrich your life in so many ways. And the stories! You could talk about your dog for hours. She's so cute. He's got a great sense of humor. But a picture is worth a thousand words. Especially a really great picture.
Family photo albums for me weren't complete without pictures of our entire family, including our dogs. My parents always use the dog in the picture as a barometer of the year and the respective ages of my brothers and I. There was Scruffy and her puppies, who slept in my dad's slippers. Spooky, the black lab who loved to run. Muffin, a small collie, afraid of everything. And Nikki, a Siberian Husky who knows exactly who is in charge of the entire family. (He is, of course!)
It's no longer unusual to see a beautiful portrait of a dog alongside other family portraits on the wall. But taking great pictures of your pooch isn't easy. It's like taking great pictures of a two-year old. Your dog, prince or princess they may be, has no interest whatsoever in sitting pretty for a portrait. (If he or she does, you're really lucky.) Usually, they are far too interested in finding their favorite ball or chasing that squirrel. They don't care that suddenly lunging towards you for a kiss ruined a picture perfect moment. And whether you're trying to get them to pose for a portrait or you're trying to capture Fido catching the ball or playing frisbee, you may have noticed that they don't take direction very well.
Regardless of the challenges, taking the time to capture the personality of your little tail-wagger in a great photograph will be time well spent. Not only will you and your pooch get to spend some quality time together, learning subtle nuances of each other's moods and personalities, but you just might become a better photographer too. And have some great pictures to go with those wonderful stories.
So what can you do to improve the quality of your pooch's portrait?
Keep reading: Choosing a Camera »
