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???

OMG how cuuute. Thoses are some really good pics! I just love them:Dpost more pic...more pics... please

You don't have to twist my arm to do that!

Thank you so much, now thats a face, what a little doll, your reat at pics I need your help! If your ever in n.c just come on my, It takes me forever to get a good shot of my babies, I do enjoy looking at puppy pics, they are just like babies don't stay little long! Thanks again Denise ps love the blk&white!

hehe...i have the Canon xti 400d camera...and when i take pictures I am on the floor...

Well, for the most part, it looks like most of us are Canon-heads. Personally, I like to save my photos in RAW+jpg. That way I have benefit of having a quick jpg I can view quickly and upload to someone or whatever but I also have a RAW version that gives me much more control and editing capabilities with the right software. Of course you only get that option in the Advanced Zone modes, not in the Basic Zone modes like Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Close-Up, etc. If you want to slowly start moving your way out into the advanced modes, gain a little more control over your shots and be able to save your photos in RAW+jpg format, give Mode P (Program AE) a try. AE stands for auto exposure. P mode is basically the same as full auto with the exception that the flash will not automatically fire. You'll have to press the little flash release button to make the flash pop up if you know your going to need the flash. Other than that, the shutter, aperture and ISO will be set pretty much just as it would in full auto. The main difference is you can then adjust those if you wish. So, that might be a good way to learn and play. See how the camera would take the shot, then adjust shutter speed, aperture, ISO or any combination of these and see how it affects your shot. I mean, you wouldn't want to do it on one of those "to die for, I'll not live if I don't get this shot" shots, but it's a good way to learn.

Also, for those wanting to learn more about shutter speed, aperture size, f/stops and ISO and what all that stuff means, an excellent book I've found is Bryan Peterson's "Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with a Film or Digital Camera (Updated Edition)". It's laid out well, explains the techniques and has tons of example photos to show you what the author is talking about. You can pick it up for about $17 new or $11 used from Amazon here:

Amazon.com: exposure

I've just noticed Mr. Peterson has come out with another book "Understanding Shutter Speed Creative Action and Low-Light Photography Beyond 1/125 Second". I can't recommend it since I haven't read it but I can't recommend the first book enough and plan to purchase this newer one soon. You can check it out here is you like:

Amazon.com: Understanding Shutter Speed: Creative...

Oh well, that's enough of my advice for this early in the morning. Everyone have a great day and let's all go take some wonderful shots of our little guys!

- Byron

hehe i got that first book...i am part of the Canon Photography Forum also and someone on there recommended this book, well actually a lot of people did so i purchased it. I also join NAPP thru recommendation of other users but haven't had the time to even explore the benefit of joining. I do plan on enrolling myself into basic photography class at the university to get a better understanding of exposure, apenture, iso, etc...hehe

I'd like to do the same (take classes). Maybe one of these days. Maybe after I retire, but, since I've determined I won't be able to retire until three years after I'm dead, that might be kind of hard!

Can you send me the link to the Canon Photography Forum? I'd like to join that myself. Also, what is NAPP? I'm, not familiar with it. Thanks.

- Byron

here is the Canon Forum for digital photography...

Canon Digital Photography Forums - Powered by vBulletin

NAPP (National Association of Photoshop Professional)

National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP)

I like Hansch99's reply "Have a lens with a large aperture (like f/1.4 or f/1.8) to take low-light photos without using a flash". as a flash seems NOT to capture the true color of my Yorkie, Albert. I, too, use a Canon Rebel digital/slr. With all these great tips, I think I'll see if Albert is in the mood for a photo op! Blessings to all!
NLane

Wow what a great group of photographic people. I guess we all know who know how to take all the pictures now. WE can ask you and have you do them...he he I'm always stressin over pictures and figuring out how to get something to come out the way I want. Others always seem to do a much better job.

In that case, you should really get the Canon 50mm f/1.8 lens if you don't already have it. It's my favorite lens in general, and specifically it's my favorite lens for taking pictures of dogs. It should cost about $80 on Amazon.com--it's an absolute steal for the quality of pictures it takes--and you'll love the shots it takes at f/1.8-3.5.

i agree! heeh

The higher cost of the Digital SLRs is a problem for many. I use the Canon Rebel XT when I am doing serious photography, but I am really pleased with the results using my Canon Powershot SD600 Digital Elph, which cost a little over 300 last year. It is so small I can easily carry it in my pocket or purse so that I never miss a good photo op.. . . and since I almost always have my Yorkie with me, I get lots of unexpected shots. I'll share some of them later.
I am generally an amateur landscape photographer (Photography by Norma Howard Lane) but am trying to learn more about "puppy photography" now!
NLane
NLane