Want Better Dog Photos? The Best Dog Photography Tips for Dog Owners

I love having photos of my pets around the house; however, I could use some lessons on taking better photographs.  Either they are squirming or the photo comes out with red eye.  Here are some fabulous tips to help take better pet photographs in the future

If you have ever tried taking pictures of dogs, then you know it’s hard to get a good shot.

If you have ever tried taking pictures of dogs, then you know it’s hard to get a good shot.

Dog photography takes time and patience.  Even amateur photographers like you and me who simply want to take better pictures of our dogs can do these simple things to improve our dog photos.

I know my hand at dog photography hasn’t been the best.  When I take photos of my dogs I tend to just keep snapping away until I think I have gotten what I want.  Many times, I end up frustrated because I didn’t get the shot I wanted.

Of all the photos I have taken of my dogs, I only have 1 photo that I really like of the 2 of them together.  Usually when I am taking their picture, one of them looks the other direction or else they move before the camera takes the picture.

I still keep most of the photos that I take.  That is, unless they’re out of focus and you just can’t see what the picture is supposed to be!

Those familiar tried-and-true New York Institute of Photography 3 Guidelines… What are they again? Strong subject matter, focusing attention upon the subject, and then simplifying the picture by eliminating what’s unnecessary and retaining what is indeed necessary.

If you want to take better pictures of dogs, here are some excellent dog photography tips:

• Avoid green eyes(similar to red-eye in humans) by not using the flash.  Instead, use natural lighting whenever possible.  If you simply must use a flash, make sure you’re aiming from the side and the camera isn’t aimed directly at your dog’s eyes.
• Take pictures at your dog’s level, rather than always standing above with your camera pointed down at your dog’s level.  Without a doubt, the more angles you experiment with (2-3 feet off the ground, directly above your dog, directly below your dog, from the back, from the side, or from some other angle), the better your dog pictures will be.
• Experiment with different ways to get your dog’s attention. The more you can incorporate the element of surprise or actual eye-contact with your dog, the better your dog photos will be.  Some ways to do this: use different treats & toys, make different sounds,
• Use the continuous shooting mode whenever possible.  Don’t wait for your dog to do something cute, then get into position to take the shot.  Instead, shoot even when it seems your dog isn’t doing anything interesting.  Those are sometimes the best shots — because you’re able to capture a sudden movement that your dog makes!
• The best photos are when your dog is completely relaxed and just being a dog.  The candid shots are the most natural, best dog photos you can take.  Posed shots are good too sometimes, but more as the exception than the rule.
• Your dog shouldn’t always be dead-center in the photo.  In fact, the best shots are when your dog is off to one side in the photo, or you’re zoomed way in for an extreme close-up of one aspect of your dog (like an ear twitch, an eye wink, a tail wag, or a head twist).  Zoom is a wonderful thing.

From:  http://www.dogasaur.com/blog/2010/want-to-take-better-photos-of-your-dog/