Photo tips

[rmci]

Ok, I finally got my own digital camera for Christmas; a Sony Cybershot. I've been noticing how wonderful a lot of the posted pictures look and was wondering if you have any tips for me, besides learning how to use it
Oh, and Baxter has been turning his head away from camera's. He previously didn't (see my avatar) but I'd say he's been doing it while, maybe half the year. He does it even without a flash. Any ideas on how to get him to relax around a camera?

[Rivsky]

I had a Cybershot before my current camera - they are pretty good as well - just have fun and play around with it a lot! That's the way I figured out how to use it - was WAY too lazy to read the book! I think it just takes some practice figuring out when to use the flash and when not to and that sort of thing.

As for your dog's camera shyness have you tried just having your camera out and clicking it (so he gets used to the noise) without actually pointing it at him and when he's looking at you just get your camera out but don't actually click it - this may get him used to it as well (treats and praise would be good here if he doesn't react)?

I think the more they see it the less bothered they are by it - I seem to think sometimes River thinks my camera is permanently attached to my arm!!!

[Cassiepeia]

Can't tell you how to relax him (my own dog isn't fond of pictures nowdays), but some tips for shooting your pet (with a camera )...

Get down on their level - Photos that look down on the pet seldom look flattering or interesting.

Try to capture action shots - Get the dog playing a game or just zooming around (move the camera in sync with the pet to stop the pet being blurred).

Don't use a flash unless you have absolutely no other choice! - I hate flashes...I guess I'm a little too 'anti' flash. LOL But the worst shots are those where the pet is washed out by the flash, or it's eyes are glowing like it's evil or everything is so bright it doesn't look close the real thing.

Catch them doing things (or with things) they love - Look for moments where the pet is content....like with a favourite toy or in its bed, or eating or with it's best mate etc... Perhaps distracting your dog with something it loves will help relax him?

Be aware of the background - The background is a part of the picture too so be aware of what's there before you snap (although if it's an action shot or something you don't think you can recreate you may just have to forget that LOL but it's good advice for portrait shots or posed pictures).

Get up close and personal - Try not to stand too far away, don't be afraid to get right in there and snap a close up of your dog. Read your camera's manual and find out what the closest distance you can be to the subject is...and then go closer just to test it.

Hmmm...that's all I can think of right now. Hope it helped.

Cass.

[Doglover1988]

To get them to look at me I hold a treat or toy in my hand right over or beside the camera and they usually will look right at the camera.

[TinyAlbinoDancer]

To get him used to the camera you can use desensitization. Bring the camera close to him daily, and take photos (with and without flash) without pointing the camera at him. Follow each session with a treat, and work up to pointing the camera at him. Taking pictures of him outside first will help because it won't flash, so you'll get good pictures while he's running around oblivious.

Missie is so used to the camera she'll walk to my background and sit on it before I'm even ready. Then she'll patiently allow me to pose her until we're done--and then she demands her treat!

Also, the best commands for your dogs to know once they're desensitized to the camera are sit, down, and stay (most important!). Missie will stand on any little stool or table for me if I tell her to stay, and the sit and down commands allow me to pose her more easily.

Ollie is more nervous, so talking to him with baby talk during the shoot helps him ("what a gooood boy! You're such a good boy! Awww!"), and making wierd noises or using familiar terms gets his ears up. Both he and Missie respond to the phrase "you want" no matter what I finish the sentence with. I get Missie to cock her head by using words she doesn't know in connection with it, like, "you want to play basketball?!"

Those are all my secrets.

[rmci]

Thank you for the tips! I hope to be posting some beautiful photos soon!

[Rivsky]

Looking forward to seeing them!!