| OK. You have your pet. You have your camera. | | | | squirrel up the tree one more time. |
| You have the desire. Why can't you get a picture | | | | BE GROUNDED! No, that doesn't have anything to |
| that doesn't show the back of your pet's head as | | | | do with taking photos in a lightning storm. Pet |
| he/she walks away from the camera or a shot | | | | photography is at its best when it's taken from |
| of an oversized nose as they try to sniff your | | | | the animal's perspective. Your pet will be far less |
| lens? | | | | intimidated by the little black (or silver) eye that |
| The professionals make it seem so easy, don't | | | | appears to be eating your face if you get down |
| they? I've noticed that when you read their | | | | to your dog's level. Remember, your dog |
| instructions about how "easy" it is, you wind up | | | | (cat-bird-iguana) doesn't know that you are the |
| more confused than ever and get completely lost | | | | owner of the camera and that you control it. |
| in the ISO's of the thing-a-ma-gigs and the whatzit | | | | From the animal's perspective, this is a strange |
| number on the whoszits. | | | | little box that has removed one of your eyes |
| Let's get some basics in here. We know you may | | | | from your face and flashes blinding light in the |
| not be interested in becomming a professional | | | | pet's eyes before it lets you go! |
| photographer. You may not even be interested in | | | | Try not to use the flash! Yes, it's easy for me to |
| taking a professional looking photo of your pet. | | | | say that as you grovel around on the living room |
| You may simply want a nice photo of Skippy to | | | | floor at dusk. Obviously when you can, it is better |
| stick in your wallet, on your fridge, or in a frame | | | | to try pet photography outdoors in natural |
| on the piano that doesn't make him look like an | | | | daylight. Brilliant light can be tough despite the fact |
| alien. | | | | that it seems to you that the colors around you |
| First of all, if you're still using film and you're | | | | appear wonderful. You will have to check for |
| shooting outside, stick to ISO 400. Suffice to say | | | | shadows, both your own in the frame, and |
| it will help make your pet photos less blurry. If | | | | shadows on the face of your pet. Cloudy (not |
| you are inside, go for ISO 800 since chances are | | | | tornado type cloudy) but lightly overcast skies |
| you will have less light to work with and you will | | | | can create soft light and sublte shadowing both |
| need it. Take my word for it. | | | | indoors and outdoors. |
| Now, if you are still using film you are either a | | | | If you must participate in pet photography |
| professional already and not reading this, or as | | | | indoors, try to use the natural light from your |
| stubborn as the day is long and determined not to | | | | windows. Reposition a chair next to the window |
| be dragged into the 21st technilogical century | | | | that contrasts nicely with the color of your dog |
| unless it's kicking and screaming that there's | | | | or cat...or iguana, and make him comfy. The |
| "nothing wrong with your old camera!" | | | | animal will be less stressed and undoubtedly thrilled |
| Well, there probably isn't anything wrong with | | | | to be allowed on the furniture. |
| your old camera but the "new-fangled digital | | | | Don't forget to speak! Remember, if the little |
| cameras" have several distinct advantages in the | | | | black or silver box is swallowing your face and |
| pet photography department. Most of them can | | | | you don't make any noise, your pooch is more |
| shoot several pictures quickly in a sort of "stop | | | | likely to thik either you or he is in serious trouble. |
| action" animation-type sequence. You will at least | | | | Whatever cutesy words you usually use to get |
| have better odds of one decent moving shot! | | | | Fido or Spatz-Kat to behave will do wonders for |
| The new fangled digitals also let you check | | | | camera-stress. |
| immediately for how badly you screwed up, let | | | | There you go! You may not make this month's |
| you ditch the pictures you hate, and give you | | | | National Geographic, but Grandma will love the |
| plenty of time to try to get Fido to chase that | | | | picture of Fido digging up her prize roses. |