On #NationalDogPhotographyDay we thought we’d share some top tips on how to take the best photo you can of your canine companion – we think about focus, perspective and capturing the doggy qualities that you love best
Taking photos before we had smart phones
I’ve mentioned before that every day in the calendar is some sort of celebratory day – it’s quite a rabbit hole to go down… but there are several days dedicated to dog topics.
Today is National Dog Photography Day.
When I was a child, centuries ago, cameras were box-like and cumbersome, with different lenses for different scenarios and situations. It took some time to set them up, fussing around for hours to get the poses “just right”, then further aeons to actually have a photograph developed and printed.
Nowadays every smart phone has a camera far better (and cheaper) than the expensive cameras and lenses of my youth. Social media shows people casually snap pictures of everyday life all the time.
Have you ever flown over the Ards Peninsula?
Last week I had the brilliant experience of flying in a small plane over the Ards Peninsula. My little brother is a pilot so he took me up. I wanted to take photos of our house, so I snapped away with my phone. But brother had other ideas and had borrowed my dad’s “proper” camera.
I struggled. I managed to turn it on but trying to work the lens and get a non-blurry photo was a challenge. Suffice to say, many of the photos appeared to be of the dregs of murky brown coffee, blurred and amorphous. Only by pure chance I did get a couple of reasonable ones. My brother tactfully said he would take the camera up again next time when he took his friend up….
At least I got some good videos and photos on my phone, including a great landing, much to my brother’s delight.
What photos do you have on your device(s)?
My phone has photos of my family, the cards and gifts I make, and plenty of Gus, mostly of him just being himself. I don’t have brilliant photography skills – I leave that to Gareth and Catherine – but modern day smart phone cameras mean even I can get some decent photos.
Top tips from a professional photographer
So on National Dog Photography Day I thought you might like some tips to take great dog photos. Anyone who has seen photos I’ve taken will realise they are not my own tips, they’re from a photographer friend of mine.
- Make sure your dog is happy with the camera. Some dogs will be worried by a rectangular shiny thing covering your face and/or pushed close to them and some will be concerned by the click noises as photos are taken. Let your dog sniff it, move it around, click the shutter – make sure your dog is relaxed about it before taking your photos.
- Think about the lighting and background. I have many photos of Gus. Several have him almost in silhouette because the light was coming from behind him. Others are spoilt by stray socks, piles of magazines or general mess in the background
- The bests shots are taken at dog level. Taking a photo from above the dog gives an odd perspective – your dog can look as if they have a huge head and small body. Which is why I have quite a few shots of Gus when he is lying on the settee…
- Make your dog the focus – my phone decides what the main focus of any shot is and focuses in on that, so make sure it is your dog that is in focus. I have several Gus photos where cushions, a table corner or the carpet are in focus but he isn’t…
- Capture your dog being themselves – too many photos are posed, placing the dog in a sit, down or stay. These are nice, but the best ones, the ones that bring out and demonstrate your dog’s character and personality, will be the shots taken when they are doing their own thing.
I hope these tips help you take some great photos today.
Please share them with us and with others – we love seeing your dogs! The hashtag for today is #NationalDogPhotographyDay
Keep training and stay safe,
Carol
