 natural light is best
If you use a flash, the eyes tend to reflect. And, if you take the photo indoors and/or at night, you will need the flash because there won't be enough light. Automated digital cameras try to help you out by putting the flash on automatically...
Try taking it during the day and use natural lighting as a source- open all the blinds and shades, and turn the flash off if you can. The pictures may be blurry, so you have to hold the camera very still or brace yourself up against something like a wall when you take it. I've uploaded 2 examples of the same dog- Lucyglows has the flash on/reflective eyes. Lucygood is taken with a window open in the afternoon time of day. Note she's not in the direct sunlight, but the room is lit by it. The lighting is softer and more natural.
I have heard of people also dulling down the flash on digital cameras with tape or something similar, to try and tone down the harshness. I've never had much luck with that, but something to consider.
Teresa |