Beginner Needing some help with studio pet shots.

CaveDweller

CaveDweller

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I've only just got some flashes and modifiers so thought I'd give portraits a bash of my dog. I'm finding it a bit tricky with how to pose him and the rule of thirds. I try to get his eyes on a third but when I do that it seems there is a lot of wasted space with the background showing, what are your opinions? Also this is my second time using my flashes as a studio set up, trying to get used to that also. I tried these shots with plain grey paper. I tried over exposing it to be white but it didn't look right against his white fur, and I tried under exposing it to be black but it didn't look right against his black bits.

Any help or critique would be appreciated. Having trouble posting pictures from flickr, for some reason the HTML code isn't working so here are the links.



http://www.flickr.com/photos/116565355@N05/12351312083/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/116565355@N05/12351643653/

and this is an example of the problems with cropping I am having. His eyes are perfectly on a third but there is a lot of wasted space, might just be me though. Feel free to edit my images.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/116565355@N05/12352412934/


Edit, just noticed I posted this in the people section and not pets.
 
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Firstly great shots and thanks for sharing. I love the first and second shots (and Fav'd the first) although the third doesn't do anything for me.
I try not to follow the rules to the tee when I shoot people or animals. I love the sharpness of the face/eyes of the shots and quite like the grey background. Shooting on a white or black background with a dog of corresponding colours can be tricky but keep at it and make sure you get a hair light in to highlight the break between the two and you'll be laughing.
As for getting animals to pose I still think its 20% training, 20% bridery & 60% luck.
 
Have to ask why do a photo of a working dog in a studio? Forget about it and try taking in the dogs natural surroundings ,ie field, for example. You should be able to get some stunning photos taken outside without worrying about background etc. You have done this in your avator so stay with it
 
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realspeed said:
Have to ask why do a photo of a working dog in a studio? Forget about it and try taking in the dogs natural surroundings ,ie field, for example. You should be able to get some stunning photos taken outside without worrying about background etc. You have done this in your avator so stay with it
Click to expand...
I just got some new flashes and modifiers so had to have a play around with them. It was a rainy night, the kids were in bed and the wife wasn't playing ball lol, so the dogs were the next best thing. I totally get what your saying, just have to wait for the weather. It's always dark when I get home from work so outdoor shots are quite hard at the moment.

I've trained Shep (the one in this thread) for herding and sheepdog trials, so on a nice day I should be able to get some great natural shots of him doing what they were bred for.

CaveDweller said:
I've only just got some flashes and modifiers so thought I'd give portraits a bash of my dog. I'm finding it a bit tricky with how to pose him and the rule of thirds. I try to get his eyes on a third but when I do that it seems there is a lot of wasted space with the background showing, what are your opinions? Also this is my second time using my flashes as a studio set up, trying to get used to that also. I tried these shots with plain grey paper. I tried over exposing it to be white but it didn't look right against his white fur, and I tried under exposing it to be black but it didn't look right against his black bits.

Any help or critique would be appreciated. Having trouble posting pictures from flickr, for some reason the HTML code isn't working so here are the links.



http://www.flickr.com/photos/116565355@N05/12351312083/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/116565355@N05/12351643653/

and this is an example of the problems with cropping I am having. His eyes are perfectly on a third but there is a lot of wasted space, might just be me though. Feel free to edit my images.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/116565355@N05/12352412934/


Edit, just noticed I posted this in the people section and not pets.
Click to expand...

Cheers. For some reason the codes didn't work for me. I only made my Flikr yesterday so it might have just been me.

Simon Kitt said:
Firstly great shots and thanks for sharing. I love the first and second shots (and Fav'd the first) although the third doesn't do anything for me.
I try not to follow the rules to the tee when I shoot people or animals. I love the sharpness of the face/eyes of the shots and quite like the grey background. Shooting on a white or black background with a dog of corresponding colours can be tricky but keep at it and make sure you get a hair light in to highlight the break between the two and you'll be laughing.
As for getting animals to pose I still think its 20% training, 20% bridery & 60% luck.
Click to expand...

Cheers, never had someone favourite any photo of mine lol. I'll take note of that for the next attempt on a rainy night. They are obedient so I can pose them how I want, I was just having trouble getting them to look "right".
 
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Quote" I just got some new flashes and modifiers so had to have a play around with them. It was a rainy night, the kids were in bed and the wife wasn't playing ball lol," unquote. Here its only the dog will play ball now:rolleyes:
 
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