FurryPhotos - Pet Portraiture/Pictures

[zaren]

luv ariel's pose.

 

[raptor84]

Let me ask u something, how come the cat stays so still for your picture? For some reason, i try to take pictures of cats/dogs, they never stay still wanting to lick the lens or hump my leg.
Or perhaps it is due to them being so bored with u always taking their picture?

Oh btw, cute kats u have there!

Cheerios

Not my cats lah. These were taken at the SPCA long ago. To take the cats pics you need 3 things. Patience, to wait for the moment. Timing, to capture the right moment. Understanding, to know how your subject will behave and react in order to get the shot.

This is on top of knowing your camera inside out along with the basics of exposure so you dont fumble around to change settings at the critical moment. You also need to know when to quit when the cat has had enough.


@zaren Its one of those lucky shots. One of the first cat shots that made me start shooting cats after dogs alone for so long.

 

[Trigger Happy]

Not my cats lah. These were taken at the SPCA long ago. To take the cats pics you need 3 things. Patience, to wait for the moment. Timing, to capture the right moment. Understanding, to know how your subject will behave and react in order to get the shot.

This is on top of knowing your camera inside out along with the basics of exposure so you dont fumble around to change settings at the critical moment. You also need to know when to quit when the cat has had enough.


@zaren Its one of those lucky shots. One of the first cat shots that made me start shooting cats after dogs alone for so long.

if i may humbly add a tip -- no sudden or threatening movements. get down to their level and inch your way forward, keep your camera ready so that bringing it up to your face doesn't involve moving your arms/ hands too much. i've found that this works best for my 3 dogs and stray dogs and cats. eye contact is a little tricky, sometimes it works, sometimes it backfires. this got to ask the pro.

 

[raptor84]

Thanks for pointing that out. In general slow steady movements will ensure that your subject dosent get startled. It helps to know some animal behaviour so you can use your body language to communicate to them using motions or signals they are familiar with.

 

[Koelsch]

i believe all cats have their own kinda personality and style. just gotta wait patiently for their 'pose'. and cats don't tend to move as much as dogs. so yeah makes things alot easier for raptor84 to shoot.

 

[raptor84]

i believe all cats have their own kinda personality and style. just gotta wait patiently for their 'pose'. and cats don't tend to move as much as dogs. so yeah makes things alot easier for raptor84 to shoot.

Quite true, dogs do take longer to settle down...

Some more pics taken at the SPCA yesterday..taken with a mix of the 18-55 kit and 50/1.8. Its pretty fun shooting with the cheap stuff as you dont bother too much about babying it (dont worry Brian its still clean). Then again my 70-200 hood is kinda banged up and the B+W suffered quite a bit of dog drool.... On to the photos then!

Joy, a sweet playful mongrel.



Shaq, This photo is not a good indication for his size cause as a mastiff he is HUGE. A Gentle giant with humans, he only gets along with a few dogs though.



Taka, a victim of my 18mm distortion :bsmilie:



Chole, wonderfully friendly with people but kinda 'bitchy' with other dogs. The DOF was a little behind in this shot though. She has this green chew toy that dose'nt leave her for more than 10 mins making it easy to direct her gaze with some help.

 

[fresh angle]

Jazz, a female silky terrier

http://david-low.smugmug.com/photos/107621336-M.jpg


Russ, our 2nd male silky terrier
http://david-low.smugmug.com/photos/118279468-M.jpg

http://david-low.smugmug.com/photos/118279415-M.jpg

 

[raptor84]

Jazz, a female silky terrier

Russ, our 2nd male silky terrier

I've helped you change it to image links.

1. Angles. If possible always try to shoot form their level unless you think that the above level composition will work better. The first shot is pretty good but the second and third dont really work or appeal as we always see dogs from that angle.

2. Lighting. Try to avoid flash especially on camera ones as they really kill the whole look of the dog. Using a compact/prosumer you are limited by the noise control (the panasnoics are well known for this) so if possible try to shoot the dogs outdoors as much as possible using the flash only as a fill light. If it is unavoidable try diffusing the light a little with tissue paper

Pet photography is tough to get right. Even now and then I still run out of ideas and angles...

 

[fresh angle]

I've helped you change it to image links.

1. Angles. If possible always try to shoot form their level unless you think that the above level composition will work better. The first shot is pretty good but the second and third dont really work or appeal as we always see dogs from that angle.

2. Lighting. Try to avoid flash especially on camera ones as they really kill the whole look of the dog. Using a compact/prosumer you are limited by the noise control (the panasnoics are well known for this) so if possible try to shoot the dogs outdoors as much as possible using the flash only as a fill light. If it is unavoidable try diffusing the light a little with tissue paper

Hi Raptor, thanks for pasting the image as I did not check that its a link that I attach.

I believed in photography, there is no fix and fast rule, even for the renowed 1/3 golden rule is simply just a guide. I don't believed it is always needed to shoot at thier level for pets, otherwise, you will see all pets or small animal photos boring in repeating all over the same angle. Most of my pets shots or just for keeps and shot with P&S and I have paid not much attention to casting of shadows.

Cheers

http://david-low.smugmug.com/

 

[raptor84]

Yes it is true to keep shooting form eye level but the thig is we rarely if ever look at them form that level which is why photos tend to appeal more that way. Yes those are only guidelines but they work for me. I have been trying to break them here and there to see if the style suits the subjet but most of the time I find it difficult to find a new angle.

 

[raptor84]

Its been a busy week. Will try to take more today, here is one more taken recently that is semi-decent.

Bandit, philosophising on a warm afternoon.

 

[fresh angle]

Yes it is true to keep shooting form eye level but the thig is we rarely if ever look at them form that level which is why photos tend to appeal more that way. Yes those are only guidelines but they work for me. I have been trying to break them here and there to see if the style suits the subjet but most of the time I find it difficult to find a new angle.

I'm not trying to stir an argument here but even your own photos got one that taken from high level and one with wide angle that distort the head. But I have no problem with that because every photo has its own uniqueness though it doesn't look stunning. Not every shot must be qualified for salon, isn't it? Most great photographer breaks the rule and able to find its "crude" angle to impress the subject. Searching for "unorthodox" angle is truly dependent on your creativity. An angle which you think not possible to do otherwise might be proven wrong by someone else. Most importantly, I believed its best to keep the protocol - I normally refrain from commenting unless one specifically ask for C&C because the one I unilaterally take on to comment might be a professional and had won several awards.
Cheers

 

[raptor84]

Its good to have another perspective to hear from. Yea I have recently been trying not to take it form the same old angles but creativity elludes me Thanks for your insights.

 

[archon]

My CKCS

 

[AxeLa]

My CKCS

c ute!!!

 

[raptor84]

Cute little KCS but you cut of the limbs. Lighting is the main culprit again here too...

 

[fresh angle]

Cute little KCS but you cut of the limbs. Lighting is the main culprit again here too...

Sorry Raptor to budge in here. Although I'm new here and post less than 10 times, but I'm very active in other photo reviews and has learnt some protocol along the way and because everybody observe the protocol, it has been very fulfilling to spent time in the forum. It's an international etiquette not to comment on one's photo unless he ask to. You must read again my previous post a few more times.

Here you are quite blunt to Archon and he never ask for C&C. You should post only your comment under the critque corner. Archon is here to support your thread and got in return a blunt comment. BTW, I don't see anything wrong with the lighting. Yes, his shot is not perfect but nevertheless its a good capture. A simple word like "nice shot" will suffice an auto return in appreciation for supporting your thread. Otherwise, people will shun from you. Not all photographers are perfect. We are all learning.

http://david-low.smugmug.com/

 

[raptor84]

Sorry Raptor to budge in here. Although I'm new here and post less than 10 times, but I'm very active in other photo reviews and has learnt some protocol along the way and because everybody observe the protocol, it has been very fulfilling to spent time in the forum. It's an international etiquette not to comment on one's photo unless he ask to. You must read again my previous post a few more times.

Here you are quite blunt to Archon and he never ask for C&C. You should post only your comment under the critque corner. Archon is here to support your thread and got in return a blunt comment. BTW, I don't see anything wrong with the lighting. Yes, his shot is not perfect but nevertheless its a good capture. A simple word like "nice shot" will suffice an auto return in appreciation for supporting your thread. Otherwise, people will shun from you. Not all photographers are perfect. We are all learning.

http://david-low.smugmug.com/

My original intention of this thread (as stated in the first post) was to be as a place for me to post my pictures up here for comments and suggestions. I do not mind anyone else coming in here to post thier pics but in doing so I automatically assume that I am free to leave my thoughts on those pictures too. If anyone who posts here does not wish to have any criticisms please state so in your post.

I do appreciate the support and willingness to share the pictures and while I hope no one has been offended by my comments, I do believe that I have made valid points. If the poster feels my suggestions or critiques inaccurate or invalid they are welcome to rebutt with reason. Sometimes their artistic vision might clash with the norms or if it was an experimental shot the rules might not apply(so for no one has stated that and I assume that they are going for convention)

I may make mistakes along the way and by opening up to the blunt opinions of other people its a good way to see something I may have missed or been missing all the time. Once again I hope that no one takes my comments personally as I was just trying to help.

 

[tltan]

Bro Raptor,

I understand what you are trying to say. Dont worry too much there.

Bro FreshAngle,

I think you really do have many nice pics in your gallery. However, the pet corner is abit lack lustre (honestly, or I shouldnt comment but I already commented that the other pics are wonderful), as you put it, you didnt put in effort. Here is a guy (raptor) that puts his effort into making every pet shot counts. And his work in helping these dogs out there is commendable. I dont understand a sudden butting in and posting your pics in his thread followed by commenting on his comments. From where he was speaking, I feel that he is just trying to help here. The CKCS and your dogs are beautiful animals but pics of red eye or green eye effect doesnt help to enhance that beauty. A bit of PP would have helped in the CKCS picture indeed but who am I to comment. I wonder whether its etiquette to post your pics up abruptly in another thread when you could have started your own, unless you seeked his approval or wanted to show the thread starter some pointers or differences. However, that said, I must say that your pics in other field is indeed good. I think I can learn alot from there.

Bro Archon, you shot the CKCS with studio lights or just external flash?

Regards,
tltan

 

[fresh angle]

Bro FreshAngle,

I dont understand a sudden butting in and posting your pics in his thread followed by commenting on his comments. From where he was speaking, I feel that he is just trying to help here.

Regards,
tltan[/QUOTE]

Hi tltan,

Thanks for pointing out that this thread is not asking for contribution of pictures. I saw numerous pets pictures in different headings and have mistaken it must be from a few different posters but without looking who is the poster, so my immediate impression was that its a "free-for-all" posting. Its quite commonly done for other forums that I used to visit. If I knew it, I will not budge in. Raptor - I apologise for that.

Hi Raptor
However, having said the above, its good to observe the opt-in rule rather than opt out. One should not assumed he wants his photo to be critique unless ask for. That should be the norm and not the reverse. There are many simply just like to share their pictures and some strong C&C words may discourage many soft hearted beginners.