I recently wrote a blog post full of tips for photographing felines. Now, it is time for me to share some K9 tips. Dogs are man's best friend. They're normally down for whatever, full of energy, and love to give kisses! As long as you are willing to give belly rubs, pitch a ball or stick, or delve out treats, dogs are great subjects to capture, especially while in their element. Do you have a preference in which animal you prefer to photograph? Let me know in the comments, along with any tips that help you!
1. Bring toys, particularly their favorite one. (Treats are a bonus!)
Not only will you be able to get some great action shots by bring toys, you will also be able to hold a canine's attention by simply holding the toy where you want their attention to be. You do not want to continuously tease (or hold off for too long!) because the dog will pick up on it and eventually stop playing along. Play with the dog for a bit, then start trying to keep his/her attention with the toy, and then give it to them for a bit of playtime. You can also try letting the dog do whatever he/she wants to for awhile, and then surprise him/her by whistling or whatnot.
2. Bring in their humans.
Owners always enjoy being photographed with their pups. {Note that when I say "pups," I am referring to any and all ages because my 9-year-old was still a pup to me. Haha.} This is the perfect moment to capture face kisses, tug-of-war, or close-up "hand-shakes." The excitement that dogs get from being around people (but especially their owners) is unbelievably cute, so capture those classic moments!
3. Don't be afraid to get up close!
Dogs have no boundaries and know of no personal space. But in case you do, that's what you have zoom for. Having unique photos can warm a pet owner's heart, so get a clear look at your subject and see what makes them special, may it be extra furry legs, a birthmark, or insightful eyes. Also, ask the owner what they love so much about their pup. Get those photos as well, if you can.
4. Get up on it. Or down. Or in its face. Or somewhere, anywhere, really.
The key is to find an angle that gives your photo an interesting perspective. This tip can work in all types of photography - simply standing and shooting forward is not going to always work. It is very important to lie down or step on a ladder or simply move to get that great shot. If you get beneath eye-level of a dog, the perspective can make the dog look larger than its surroundings. Or if you get face-to-face, the outcome of the photo can be naturally dramatic.
5. Shoot in Black + White.
This tip may be biased because I am quickly becoming addicted to B&W photos, but regardless, try it out. B&W gets rid of distractions and allows your subject to be the focus. I personally love B&W canine portraits because the emotions in the eyes really stand out. While it can also stand out in color, B&W is a great classic that forces some type of feeling to be evoked. But use this tip with digression - think about the mood you intend to create with your pictures.
Bonus: Regardless to if you are shooting in color or black and white, keep the eyes sharp. Great for any photo.
6. Keep the flash at bay.
The flash can not only alter the shade of your furry friend's fur to wash it out, it can also distract your subject! The flash can make the dog look away or squint or become fearful, which will ultimately mess up your shot. Stick to natural lighting, if you can.
7. Don't pose, pose, pose.
This was my number one tip for taking pictures of cats. The same rule goes for dogs - do not over-pose. When you pose too much, you lose your subject's personality and character! While a pose every now and then is okay, simply follow your subject around and take photos while they do what they enjoy the most. For some, that's fetching a ball, others it's sleeping on its back with its tongue stuck out to the side. Capture what makes that dog unique.
