There are a lot of animals that have little to no patience, and they won’t sit idly by and wait for your photo to be taken, so use your creativity to capture these dramatic moments.
Some tips for taking pictures of animals for my Araites!
Understanding the personality of an animal
Taking pictures of your pets makes more sense if you can capture their personalities in your photos as well. It is not a bad idea to capture the time when your pet is most comfortable, like rolling on the grass or lying on your lap. Before taking a photo, ask yourself what is unique about this friend and try to capture it with your camera.
Activity photography
Photographing pets while they play is a great way to keep photos interesting. Since they move very quickly and you want to make sure your photos are sharp, try switching to TV or S (speed priority) mode so you can monitor animal activity. Select the continuous focus mode (Al Servo AF Canon / AF-C Nikon) so that the lens can constantly focus on the animal’s movements. For consecutive shots, select a burst mode and hold the shutter button for as long as you want.
Contact lenses
During your pet’s quiet moments of rest, usually after eating or going to bed, get close, choose a standard lens (50mm) or 28-70mm zoom, AV mode (aperture priority) and wide aperture to blur the background, focus on the eyes – the area should be sharp – and avoid the flash if possible to capture the animal’s gaze. To do this, you need to carefully organize the background, with neutral colors so as not to distract the attention.
Photograph with people
A simple portrait of a pet or with its owner is a classic photo. Photograph outdoors to avoid using the flash, which may distract your pet’s attention. The 50mm lens is ideal for this type of shooting, choosing a shallow DOF mode, keeping all subjects in the center of the frame, and focusing on the eyes. Remember to take a quick photo as it’s easy for your pet to lose focus.
Lie on the floor of the house / the floor
Lying on the floor of your house or lawn, with your pet, allows you to capture the most natural moments. You won’t be able to use a tripod, so to keep your camera stable, you can use a carrying pouch or thick book to prop it up. To avoid shaking, you must take a deep breath before taking the picture. Choose DOF mode from f / 2.8 to f / 8 and a fast shutter speed if you want to blur the background because the animal can move very quickly.
Avoid using flash
There are many reasons why you should not use the flash when photographing pets. The flash is bright and blinding; can scare small animals and escape. Especially when you are indoors, it is best to use natural light from windows as it will not discolor your pet’s fur. If the fur is shiny, the flash will discolor your pet’s fur. Red-eye is another reason you shouldn’t use the flash, like when shooting with us. Finally, avoid using the flash with animals that live in the tank, as the glass can reflect light from the flash creating an unsightly white light.
Photographic techniques:
To capture an active pet, use a fast shutter speed – up to 1 / 3200s if necessary. Avoid using the flash as animals often don’t like it. Open the opening for more light and blur the background.
A telephoto lens is very useful if you are photographing your pet from a distance. A standard lens is also beneficial for portrait photography and works well in low light conditions.
Final thoughts: Pets can be an inspiration for your deeply lovable and interesting photos. Communicate with a pet, use toys or food to reward them for good performance, or let them go if they are not interested in photography. Finally, the above photography techniques will help you take great photos as long as you are patient with that special friend, remember Araites.
