Pet Photography - Help Please

Andysnap

Andysnap

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Andy Grant
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Hi All,

I have been asked by someone in work to take some photographs of her 2 dogs this may also lead to more work as she is very into kennel club/Crufts/dog show things and all her friends may be interested if the work is good enough. So my question is a simple one WHAT DO I DO? :help::runaway:

Seriously though both dogs are white and she would like some outdoor shots, I've suggested a field of buttercups, but I just need some kit help.
I currently have a D90 and the following lenses : Sigma 24-60mm f2.8, Sigma 28-70mm, Tokina 12-24mm and a nifty. I'm thinking the Siggy 24-60mm and the nifty, agree/disagree? Any other tips or ideas would be gratefully received.

Thanks

Andy
 
28-70mm would probably be my choice for this - try to get a bright overcast day - white dogs could be a problem in bright sunshine.
 
Thanks Andrew, I was concerned about the white dog and sunshine problem, bright but overcast is best then.

Andy
 
I'm not an expert on this sort of photography but I'd say focus speed is a big factor when deciding which of your lenses to take with you if the dogs are likely to be running around a lot.
 
sdb123 said:
Just as an aside, why have you got both 24-60mm and 28-70mm f/2.8 lenses?
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Because I can't resist a bargain. I will be selling one of them when I decide which I like best.
 
As Andrew said, bright sunshine could cause you headaches with blown out highlights.

If you're doing close-up shots of the white dogs where they'll be taking up most of the frame, make sure to over-expose by between 1 & 2 stops or they'll come out gray.

George.
 
Does she want show or informal shots? If show shots (and it is not one of the bull breeds) get side on to the dog, more or less level with its shoulder so you get some forechest showing (if it is a breed that needs forechest - if they have it and don't need it be slightly further back :) ). Have the dog looking straight forward, many owners have the heads slightly to one side which does not look so good on the photos.

If informal static shots and owner wants eye contact then get them to stand behind you, not off to one side where the dog will look at them. A treat balanced on your head or on the camera can be good for this. With some dogs a squeeky toy or whistle helps but this depends on the breed/individual
 
I was taking pics of our dogs last night.. I can confirm that white fur is a real problem (for me anyway) with blowing the highlights.

I had to basically hold the ball in front of the built in flash to get eye contact, fine if you aren't using fill flash.

Hopefully show dogs will be less likely to be tearing about and getting distracted while you are trying to get them to sit still.
 
Lazlo Woodbine said:
I'm not an expert on this sort of photography but I'd say focus speed is a big factor when deciding which of your lenses to take with you if the dogs are likely to be running around a lot.
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Good point, I would like to get a few shots of the dogs running toward me from a low angle so its another thing to take into account.

Cheers

Andy
 
They are Bolognese dogs which are little fluffy things and apparently they are very well trained show dogs. She wants informal pics though as she's got loads of show images already. Thanks everyone for the advice I think I'll need it as she's already told about 5 of her friends that I'll take their little lovelies pictures as well. Aaaarrrggghhh.

Andy
 
Andysnap said:
... she's already told about 5 of her friends that I'll take their little lovelies pictures as well. Aaaarrrggghhh.
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Don't let them take the ****. If she likes them ask her to cover your costs at the very least. Her friends should be paying you for your time or a markup on prints as well. If you don't ask for it, they'll probably ask you to come and photograph their kids/relatives/cheeseboard collection as well and not expect to pay.

I got into that mess a while back when I was fixing friends computers, then their friends computers, then their family's computers, etc, etc. Lesson learned!

George.
 
I was going to ask what breed but I see you've just posted that. :)

At least they're not maniacs so IF they are well trained it shouldn't be too bad.

As a former breeder (stopped now for various reasons) it can be notoriously difficult to get the monsters, sorry darlings, to keep still.

TBH I'd have gone for a longer lens myself.

Might be interested in the 24-60 if you decide to let that one go.
 
Well I wouldnt worry too much if its Bolognese's cos you cant tell which end is which!!!!

Seriously, Kerioak has given you some great suggestions.
 
Exercise the dogs for a while first.
Do some test shots to get the metering right then stick the camera on manual at the desired exposure.
Get a long stick or similar with a cord at the end and dangle a toy above the dog's head to make it work at trying to catch it. This will keep the dog in roughly the same spot and you can crop out the toy later.
Try close ups of the head from the front with focus on the eyes and also side profile shots.
Shoot off hundreds of pics.
 
BadgerLover said:
Don't let them take the ****. If she likes them ask her to cover your costs at the very least. Her friends should be paying you for your time or a markup on prints as well. If you don't ask for it, they'll probably ask you to come and photograph their kids/relatives/cheeseboard collection as well and not expect to pay.

I got into that mess a while back when I was fixing friends computers, then their friends computers, then their family's computers, etc, etc. Lesson learned!

George.
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Thanks for all the advice guys, all taken on board. And I've said I'll do her pics for cost and she interrupted and told me to charge anyone else the going rate as they're all loaded. :lol:

Andy
 
Kerioak said:
Don't forget cost includes the wear and tear of the camera and yourself as well as prints, postage, time etc :D
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Yes indeed, wear and tear on me is much more likely than on the camera. :)
I'm just hoping that this leads to something more substantial as I would love to be able to do it on more professional basis because I hate my job:bang:

Andy
 
I've dabbled in dog photography from time to time... I started in the deep end with 8 dogs and 5 folk wanting photos.
My first bit of advice, don't do all five people in one sitting. I'm not sure if that was implied, but don't. You really want to spend as much time as possible with your first 'client'. IMO set aside at least 1 hour.

Now for the shoot. THis is a bit of a brain dump from my experience

Location is VERY important. You want grass short enough so that the dogs are visible, but not so short it is yellow. Buttercups would be nice but make sure you can do some none buttercup shots too.

More important is backdrop. White dogs can look lovely on a bright blue sly, but they can look even better on a dark hedge/treeline background. Make sure your chosen location has some nice thick hedges to fill the frame. You want the dogs to pop out of the frame not blend with the surroundings.

Know your location, know what it offers and how best to use it.

You want to try to get the longest focal length you can IMO.
More importantly the best angle to shoot dogs from is their eye level - if that means laying on your belly then that is what you do. This is where Tokkelossi got it bang on - using a location that is frequented by dogs could be very bad!

Will you be doing natural shots of the dogs sitting down or will there be a degree of run and play? Run an play works MUCH better if you can get the longest lens possible. I'm talking minimum 70-200 range here - borrow one if you have to.

Do you have an external flashgun? Even outdoors it is amazing how black dogs eyes can look, you ideal conditions are weak sunlight but your subjects look the wrong way and you have some very lifeless looking eyes. Guarantee a pleasing catchlight every time by bolting a flash on top and setting it to -2 1/3 exposure compensation (less negative if the day is overcast).

Remember to get a variety of shots. They already have a stack of images of how their dog looks, you are trying to capture character. Not easy but given time possible.

Don't forget to have fun, dog photography is a blast!
 
Agree with richard on the 70-200, I enjoy shooting my 2 dogs and use my sigma 70-200. I am also lucky to have a large back garden which is higher than the patio which makes it easy to get to their eye level.
 
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