If you have a dog you know how important it is to capture those special moments on film but dogs aren't always the most willing subjects when it comes to taking their picture. In fact, they can be downright uncooperative. This makes it necessary to resort to a few tricks to get a good picture of your canine friend. Here are some tips on how to get better photos of your dog:
Be Prepared
If you aren't ready to snap a photo at all times, you'll miss out on some awesome photo opportunities. Some of the best dog photos are taken in those moments when you catch them doing something extraordinary that you'd never be able to capture in a photo studio. If you want good dog photos, keep your camera fully loaded and close at hand for the next canine photo opportunity. Preparation is critical for capturing extraordinary dog images.
Be Sneaky
Some of the best dog photos happen when a dog is unaware he's being photographed. Look for opportunities when your dog is distracted such as when he's napping by the fireplace or chewing on a bone in the yard. Slowly sneak up on him without distracting him from his task and capture the moment on film. Use several different angles and perspectives. You can determine which ones you like best later.
Be Patient
If you want to get good photos of your dog, patience is critical. Follow your dog around and allow him to get used to seeing you with the camera. At first he'll be distracted by the fact you're following him but eventually he'll lose interest and begin to behave naturally. This is the time to capture the image. You may want to get low to the ground and try taking shots from different perspectives. Avoid calling your dog's name as this will both destroy the spontaneity of the moment and cause your dog to come to you, ruining a perfect photograph.
Take Lots of Photos
If you have a digital camera, you have the freedom of taking as many photos as you want. Snap as many shots as you can when the opportunity presents itself, this increases your likelihood of ending up with a few really good photographs.
Tips For Getting Him to Hold Still
Getting a dog to pose for a picture in a formal setting can be an enormous challenge. One way to get your dog to hold still is to hold a cookie or other treat in your hand. Not only will your dog look in the direction of the camera, he'll probably have an expression on his face that will make the photograph all the more endearing. A trick some photographers use to get a dog to look at the camera is to make a sudden loud noise or simulate a loud bark to get the dog to focus in the direction of the camera. One strategy that doesn't work well is to say your dog's name. When you call your dog's name he'll move in your direction, ruining the moment.
Make it a practice to take photographs of your dog at all stages of his life. You can never recapture those earlier moments and you'll want to be able to look back and remember those special times with your canine best friend.
