Photo tip
 

I just bought a new Canon dslr camera, you know, the type with interchangeable lenses. Anyway, I've been studying a lot to learn of all the many capabilities of my camera and to improve my techniques. I've sworn to never use my camera in Auto mode again! Anyway, one of the things I've read is about pet photography. It mentioned how most people make the mistake of taking their photos from on high, while standing or at best, while sitting. Even when sitting, we are huge compared to our pets. It would be like trying to take portraits of our spouses or children from the top of a five story building! I know I was making this same mistake and I see many fellow YTers on here doing the same thing. I know sometimes this is the best angle to take in all the action but, if you really want to bring your photos to life, and your little guy (or gal) is behaving and calm and will let you, get down in the floor, on their level to take your photos. When over at my ex's taking pre-homecoming photos of Jackson and Bear, I always have a few where I just lay down right in the floor with them and snap off a few. I usually have to wait until they're distracted with each other because, as soon as they see me in the floor, it's like "Daddy's in the floor too. ATTACK!!!" I always manage to get a few good shots though and the difference it makes is unbelievable. Try it and you'll see what I'm talking about.

- Byron

I have the same trouble, so you are not alone,I have to take 50 shots to get one good one too.:)

Very good tip. It really helps to get down on your dog's level to make photos of them look more natural.

For those that have DSLRs, I think two other good tips are to:

1) Have a lens with a long zoom (this helps you be able to take pictures at a distance and makes your dog less tempted to play with the photographer); and
2) Have a lens with a large aperture (like f/1.4 or f/1.8) to take low-light photos without using a flash.

Thanks for the tip! I have such a hard time getting good ones of Scooter and I want to always remember how adorable he is right now! I think we're going to have a photo shoot tonight!

great tips. I have the canon Digital rebel xti and I love it. rarely do I use auto mode.
I LOVE your first photo. Looks like Superdog flying!

Thanks for all the good tips. My daughter broke my camera, so when I get it fixed I'll try them out.

I just bought a Canon Rebel XSi and love it as well. I have a good friend that is a big Nikon fan but I've been a fan of Canon optics for many years. I've been drooling over dslrs for several years now and finally decided to take the plunge.

I have the standard 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 kit lens (with IS) and I bought the 55-250mm F4-5.6 telephoto (also IS) to go with it. Neither have a very large aperture so I'll have to make sure there's a lot of natural lighting. I also bought a Speedlite 430EX external flash, so I can bounce the flash off the ceiling and improve the lighting when I do need the flash. It's MUCH better than the built-in flash. The difference in results really has to be seen to be believed. I'd love to pickup a macro lens and another good, general purpose lens with a really large aperture eventually but I'm in for much more than I wanted to be as it is. More lenses will have to wait a couple of years.

- Byron

OMG I have the same Canon and I'm still in auto mode.:( My husband laughs at me all the time..I have this fancy, schmancy camera and in auto mode (but it still takes great pics I must say) and I promised myself that I would start to learn how to use this thing. Thanks so much for starting this thread and I'm picking up some pointers.

I have already done the coming down to their level while taking pics and I must say when I have done that..I have the best pics!

It's a great camera that's for sure.:D:D:D

Oh an all the pics in her avatar and when I post are taken with this camera! And I know NOTHING about cameras..hehehe.

Great photos!!! Love the the running shot.

I wish I could have gotten the a slr camera, just a wee bit too expensive when I got mine 2 years ago. I had to find a camera with zoom and anti shake for work since I used take pictures from a boat. Unfortunately it was out of my pocket so I couldn't get what I really wanted. But digital cameras are such a good way to go, I take so many pictures and it is wonderful to not have to pay to develop them before reviewing the "good" shots.

The first photo has to be absolutely the best action shot I've ever seen. I love it. I've got to try that. Please tell me you enhanced the grass! Nobody has grass that green.

Thanks for the compliment! I brought out the shadows because his face was a little underexposed, but I don't think I boosted the color at all. I took that picture right after we had two weeks of flooding rains here in Wisconsin, so our grass was looking lush.

Those are great lenses to start out with. I have a very similar set-up (a 18-55 kit lens and a 70-210mm f/4), and I also use the 430EX.

I also picked up the Canon ef 50mm F/1.8 for $80. It's a fixed-focal-length lens, so it can be a bit limiting, but it practically sees in the dark with its large aperture. I know you said you've already spent more than you'd like, but this lens is well worth the money if you can swing it--in fact, if I could have only one lens out of my collection, this would be the one.

I'll keep that in mind and maybe make one more purchase. If nothing else, it would be a great portrait lens for my kids, furred and unfurred alike!

- Byron

Ok guys do not laugh at me but this is funny ! I went to a wedding and throughout the night I kept company with the photographer. He and his wife had the NIKON 3 that cost about 5 grand.

I was determined to go get a camera and was interested in the NIKON D 80 but after I did my research I TOO was told to buy nothing but CANNON.. so off to the stores we go.

I was 1 minute away from buying the new Cannon EOS40 SLR.

I asked all my questions and it ended up I would really need 2 more lenses and the camera was already 1200.00 so with 2 more lenses I was at 2 grand easily not to mention the case the card ect...................

I was so intimidated by the big camera that I settled for the 12.1 mega pixel Cannon camera. The camera right before the SLR. Once I have this mastered I will get a SLR camera. I want to do pet photography so this thread was very interesting to me so TO THE OP thank you !

Have a blessed day
Vicki:)

Okay......what kind of cool job do you have that allows you to take pictures from a boat???