People often have special portraits taken of themselves, so why not your favorite pet? You can hire a professional photographer to do the job, or you can tackle it yourself with a minimum of effort. First, however, you need to know the rules of the road. Here are some tips. Catch your pet unawares. A cat snoozing on the mantle or a dog sprawled out on its back makes for an interesting photograph. Be forewarned, though: you’ll have to be quick to get the shot. Tip: have the camera out and waiting for just the right moment. Capture your pet doing something interesting. If your cat likes to swat at a ball, grab an action shot of it doing so. If your horse rolls back its ears when presented a treat, catch it in action. Tip: employ the services of a confidant who can get the animal to perform while you stay poised and ready to shoot. Capture your pet from a different perspective. Since everyone is used to looking down at small animals, be different. Photograph your dog or cat from your pet’s point-of-view. Get down on hands and knees to capture the scene. Tip: make sure you don’t get too close, or the shot will be out of focus. If you’re using flash, stay within the manufacturer’s suggested range to avoid overexposed or underexposed scenes. This is a great exercise for children, where a camera full of film and a creative imagination go a long way. |