How to photograph an animal. How to Photograph Animals

All amateur photographers who have tried to photograph an animal - domestic, in a zoo or wild - know very well that this is not so easy to do. Taking a photo that captures the beauty or fun of a moment is difficult. But, as they say, nothing is impossible. To learn photograph animals correctly, you need to know a few secrets, and in this lesson on digital photography we will study them.

Even if you have learned how to set the light and take close-ups, this will only help you with a stationary or sleeping animal where you can aim well. But once the pet starts running and jumping, it becomes completely impossible to catch a good shot. There is even a rule on television - try not to work with children and animals, because the operator or photographer must have enviable dexterity and reaction in order to keep track of them. Be that as it may, but take pictures of pets or animals in the zoo, it is best when they are in a motionless state.

First tip: When photographing an animal, try to make sure that in the photo it is slightly below your eye level. Failure to follow this rule can lead to funny situations. If you will be take off from below, then, for example, a dog or cat will visually seem simply gigantic, the same will happen if you shoot the animal at the same level as your eyes. Animals are usually short and much smaller than a person, even a child. However, eye-to-eye photography, or an animal's eye-level shot, is also often used by photographers. This one creates a special effect. The viewer feels that he has entered the world of the animal, its habitat, and is not an outside observer.

Second tip: Pay attention to. The eyes of animals are no less beautiful than those of humans. Therefore, you need to take them into the frame as best and fully as possible. Focus on the animal's eyes to catch the moment when it looks directly at you or slightly to the side.

Third tip: fill the frame with animals. It's better if the animal takes up more than three-quarters of the frame. In addition, you should not include a lot of unnecessary details in this frame. Here you need to use the rules of minimalists. An object plus one, two additional details (pillow, corner of the bed, blanket, tree, bush of grass, etc.) However, it is worth remembering that here, as in the case of photographing a person, it is worth doing so that in the frame there was one more item. Firstly, in the eyes of the viewer, the animal will be more alive. Secondly, the subject can indicate actual sizes animal, which will not cause disharmony in the viewer’s sensations. In addition to all of the above, do not forget the basic rules of any professional photography - the background should not distract from the main subject. The background should be neutral and comfortable to look at. Sharp background features, conspicuous colors, colors that are brighter than the animal, will definitely ruin the frame.

Do not forget that for any animal a place where it feels comfortable and calm is important. Nothing here should irritate or stress him. For example, if a dog can still be sat on a rug that it does not like, then a hamster is simply impossible.

Tip four: Don't use flash. This, I think, is already clear to everyone. Animals are very afraid of bright flashes and sounds. Their reaction is lightning fast, so if she gets scared by the flash, you won’t get a 100% shot. In addition, in natural daylight, animals look much more efficient and more familiar. The only exception to using flash would be very dark, black animal fur. In this case, regular light may not be able to cope with the detail of the fur in the frame, since it will absorb the light, and the flash will help natural light to do this.

Fifth tip: try not just to capture your animal as a memory, but rather to display its character traits. Maybe your cat is very playful or overly affectionate, your dog is very lazy or, on the contrary, runs after every butterfly in the yard? Remember what is typical for your pet, and it is much easier to get him emotional than it is for a human. To do this, you can use stroking, sounds, gestures, a favorite toy, food with which you can tease the animal. All this should cause an interesting reaction from the pet. With all this, try to ensure that the animal enters the frame with its front part, and not with its back or back (of course, there are exceptions).

Do you need quality plumbing for your home? In the AXOR online store you will find kordi mixers and much more at the most reasonable prices.

Sixth tip: When you photograph a walking, wandering, walking animal, leave some space in the picture in front of it. In this way, the viewer will have the correct feeling that he sees the animal moving forward. It's the same if an animal is looking somewhere - a little free space in front will indicate that it is actually looking into the distance, and not at the edge of the photo. If this space is not in front of the animal, then an uncomfortable feeling begins to develop that it is leaving the frame.

You can choose a variety of lighting. For a portrait, it will be better if the light is bright (for example, a daylight window), unidirectional and illuminates only one side of the animal’s face and body. This way the light and shadow will sink into the deep fur of the animal and you will get great contrast and detailed hairs in the fur.

If you are photographing an animal in motion, then use shutter priority mode or sport mode, which exists on most modern digital cameras. Also read the article for photographers “Shooting sports and moving objects”, which will help you master the basic techniques of photographing moving objects. Another helpful advice: use the camera mode when taking several photos at once or a series of photos, continuously shooting as long as your finger holds down the shutter key. This will be useful when you are filming a pet in motion or a wild animal, such as a predator hunting, a pack of deer running, etc. Remember that it is better to choose a good photo from a hundred photos than from ten!

It is worth saying that some of the best photographs of animals - wild and domestic - are paparazzi style. Catch the animal by surprise or make it unaware of your presence. This way you can catch very beautiful and unexpected shots. Animal in natural environment is the best way show its full nature. Don't forget to experiment and add your own creative and creative twists.

I hope this tutorial has helped you master the art of digital photography. Subscribe to Art-Assorti website updates to promptly learn about new lessons for beginners and professional photographers!

Can't decide on a good laptop that can satisfy all your needs for work, entertainment, games, and surfing the world wide web? I advise you to read the Review of the HP EliteBook 8470w A3B76AV-3 laptop. After this you will surely do right choice and you will not be disappointed in it after purchasing it.

We are starting our new series photo lessons “5 simple tips“how to…” from 5 articles, after reading which you will learn how to photograph certain objects and scenes. Our articles will focus on the five most popular storylines. We'll tell you how to properly set up your camera and what photography equipment you'll need to get good results.

The first article in the series is devoted to probably the most popular subject for many photographers: animals. Pets, animals in zoos or wildlife- interesting stories can be seen everywhere. But what should a photographer pay attention to, what camera settings should he choose, and what is the best way to photograph our little brothers? Our five tips will help you.

1 Use the right technique

Photographing animals is usually difficult due to their shyness. If you try to come closer, even the most fast reaction. Use a universal or telephoto lens with a focal length of at least 200 millimeters. This way you will maintain the required distance and not scare off your “model”. The same advice can be given for photographing your pets: to make the photos look natural, it is better to shoot from a certain distance and photograph without the animal noticing.

2 Set up your camera

Animals are constantly on the move. Even if they stop for a while and watch something, all they have to do is blink or turn their head and you will get a low-quality, unclear image. In this situation, it is recommended to use shutter priority mode (indicated in the camera menu S or Tv) with automatic installation aperture value and set the shutter speed to at least 1/125 second.

It's best to use full manual mode and open the aperture as wide as possible (set a low f-number). This way, you'll get a shallow depth of field, so your subject will be sharp and the background will be blurry.

It is very convenient if your camera has an Auto ISO function, which prevents under- or overexposure of the frame. Additionally, it is recommended to use spot metering linked to the focus point.

3 Prepare for difficulties in advance

Set the maximum focal length of your camera lens in advance. This way, you can take photos at a fairly large distance without scaring off the animal.

There are other challenges that can arise when photographing in zoos. For example, many animals are kept behind a glass partition. To avoid glare that degrades the quality of your photography, move close to the glass and wrap a black scarf around the lens with the sun hood mounted on it. This will cover the lens from side light entering it.

If you don’t have a scarf or handkerchief with you, remove the lens hood and carefully bring the front lens closer to the glass so that it is parallel to it. The disadvantage of this technique, unlike using a scarf, is that it limits your mobility when shooting.

4 Compose your shot correctly

Don't shoot animals from above. Squat down or sit on a bench, try to be at eye level with your “model”.

Try to photograph the animal in motion. The image of frolicking bears, monkeys playing with each other and bathing penguins is much more interesting at first and second glance than simple static portraits.

If you have a wide-angle lens with a focal length of 24mm or shorter, you can take advantage of the distortion that occurs when taking close-up images with such a lens, such as taking a series of caricature photos of a petting zoo.

When shooting, pay attention to more than just your main subject. When photographing in natural settings or in a zoo, you must be careful to ensure that the foreground and background do not distract from the main subject. Fences, bushes, and zoo visitors can get in the way of good composition. Sometimes it is better to use a strong zoom and photograph the animal not at full height.

But this does not mean that the background should be completely blurred and invisible. For example, low-hanging tree branches can be used as a natural frame for a photo.

But be careful and attentive to your subject, since with a long focal length the perspective of the photograph narrows, the foreground and background move closer to each other. As a result, you may end up with an unfortunate image where the branch of a tree located in the background, far enough away from the animal, appears to be growing out of its head.

Tags photo

Everyone who has a pet dreams of having one in their home photo gallery of his beautiful and, ideally, professional photographs. There are two ways to solve this issue: order professional photographer an expensive and, most likely, high-quality photo session for the animalist, or take out your camera and approach this with the greatest possible desire to learn this craft.

So, ? Here are just a few important points, by following which you will most likely receive an excellent photo card as a keepsake.

1. Seize the moment!

If you don’t have your camera at hand, but you really want to take a picture, then use the camera built into your mobile phone. Modern Cell phones often equipped with quite acceptable cameras. The quality may suffer, but you will forever have a captured, touching moment with your pet.

2. Reveal your pet's personality.

Before you start photographing, ask yourself: What makes him different from other animals? Think about what type of personality he has and then try to capture a shot that reflects his character. For example, if everyone knows your pet as a lazy, calm sleeper, then the shooting location could be the sofa where he is resting, or the country courtyard where he is relaxing in the sun. If your pet is hyperactive, inquisitive and always on the move, take your photo shoot in a local park or out of town. Catch footage of your pet jumping, running, or playing with other animals. Have toys, sticks, and some props in stock to diversify your shots. Who said photographing pets is easy? 🙂

3. Lighting.

Light is at the heart of all photography. And when it comes to photographing animals, this is especially important. In 9 cases and 10, I would not recommend using flash. As a rule, it distracts the animals very much, and in some cases even frightens them. Flash can also create a creepy red-eye effect, and in the case of cats, an unpleasant green glare on the eyes. Natural light is much the best option than when using the flash. An exception to this rule would be photographing black animals (when your pet has very dark or black fur). Blacks tend to absorb light and flash can add detail. A small saving grace when using flash can be a flash diffuser, but it is sold separately and is available for both built-in and external flashes.

4. Add people.

One of the best things you can do to add context to a photo is the loved ones in your pet's life. Shots of the owner or other family members interacting with the pet can make the image incredibly special. You can try posed shots, but it's better to capture natural shots full of love and friendship and understanding.

5. Wide-angle lens.

The advantages of a wide-angle lens when shooting in a limited space (apartment) at least boil down to the fact that much more can fit into the frame. 🙂 This item is for those who have a SLR camera and have such an interchangeable lens. If not, then don't worry. Go ahead.

6. Pay attention to the background.

When choosing a place to take pictures of pets, there are a number of important factors you can take into account. To begin, choose a place where your pet will feel comfortable and at ease. Finally, consider the background of your photos. Ultimately, you don't want your background to distract from the photo—sometimes the best locations are the simplest ones: lush green grass, a well-lit room with white walls, or a simple beige rug. Avoid backgrounds that are too colorful, bright, or distracting. If you plan to photograph your pet often, then perhaps you should buy a piece of blue or light blue fabric. Why exactly these colors? From experience, almost all animals turn out very well against such backgrounds. Linen fabrics do not produce glare. Others, you already need to look.

Speaking of backgrounds. Some dog breeds look perfect against rural landscapes, while others look perfect on a sofa or armchair. This specificity also needs to be taken into account. But this is rather advice on the artistic and compositional construction of the frame. By the way, beautiful ones can inspire you to creative feats and create beautiful photos with your pet.

7. Eye level.

Get down to the pets' eye level where you can look at them eye to eye. Sometimes, of course, you can get a good shot by photographing from your own height, but the best photos obtained in a different way. Getting down to the level of the animals means you'll see their world and get a glimpse of what other life is like - you'll be amazed at the results as they're more personal and there's a real chance of capturing the best shot.

8. Be a Paparazzi!

There are very businesslike animals. They are busy with their important matters, and sometimes they don’t pay attention to anyone. In these moments, he is more than real. Have time to capture the moments. For example, photographing a dog hiding a sugar bone somewhere in the yard, and not knowing that he is being watched. Or when a cat tries to get into a box, there are many such moments. You just need to know what your pet is doing. Photograph pets- it can be very exciting and exciting, or it can be boring and necessary. The choice is yours.

9. Freezing actions.

Many animals create problems for photographers because they are active and always on the move. The key to victory is using a high shutter speed. Most digital cameras will allow you to shoot in full manual mode if you're confident, or you can work in shutter priority mode, where you set the shutter speed and the camera automatically does the rest. Most cameras have a "sport" mode, which means the camera will select the most fast speeds shutter possible for your situation. There is no general advice, since all cameras work differently in such program modes. Try experimenting. You can also use continuous shooting. Later, from such photographs, you can get a funny animation or photo collage.

10. Portrait.

Try making a portrait of an animal. It can be done just like for people - facial, shoulder. You can add creativity and capture your nose, mustache, and eyes in the frame.

by Dmitry Lipatov

For some reason, many people think that photographing pets is easy and simple. But anyone who has ever tried to photograph such an unpredictable creature as a cat or dog knows that there is nothing simple about this activity. Let's check out some tips and tricks the pros recommend so you can get your perfect shot.

1. Rest

An animal, like a sponge, absorbs the emotions of its owner: if you are stressed or worried about something, the pet senses this and becomes tense and anxious. When stressed, he will show you flattened ears, unhappy eyes and a “sad” tail in full force. None of this is consistent with a successful photo shoot, unless you are pursuing the idea of showing the viewer how bad your cat or dog is feeling. Take a deep breath, put your worries aside, try to rest yourself and your pet before you start filming.

by Elke Vogelsang

2. Focus on the eyes

The eyes are the most expressive part of an animal's face, so if you want to create really interesting portraits, focus on the eyes and facial expressions. To get your puppy's attention, try whining softly. You will attract him and get a curious face in the frame, which looks directly into the camera and seems to literally say: “Woof!”

3. Get rid of unnecessary items

by Akimasa Harada

Before you start a photo shoot, look around and check that everything is in its place. Get rid of objects that might distract from your main subject. You should not have clothes or any empty items lying on the floor. plastic bottles on a green lawn - you don’t want to see all this in the pictures, do you? If an interior element does not serve to enhance your image in some way, it should either be removed completely or moved to the desired location.

by Akimasa Harada

Laconic environment produces a more aesthetic impression and definitely reduces post-processing. No one should have to see a happy puppy fade into the trash in the background.

4. One among strangers

by mario forcherio

While a few eye-level shots may look good and even cute, the really interesting subjects and angles can be found when you get down on your knees and immerse yourself in the world of an animal that has its own niche.

Even though each type of animal has its own level, you will still need to crouch, bend, or even crawl to become part of it. Another interesting step can be when you raise your pet to your level, for example, by sitting or placing it on a stool or other elevated surface.

5. Be flexible

If you've ever watched professional photography pets, you couldn’t help but notice that the photographer can not only bend and crouch, but also crawl and twist, just to get the most favorable angle for his photo. And it’s not surprising that even after an hour-long photo shoot like this, your muscles can ache as if you had run 10 km. Watch the animal, pay attention to how it reacts to certain of your movements. Choose your optimal position that will not cause anxiety or unwanted reactions in your pet.

6. Always go where the light is best

by Akimasa Harada

Everything is in photography, especially when it comes to photography of pets, where it is very important to be able to prevent unnatural glare in the eyes of the animal. Avoid taking photos in a dark room or on very cloudy days. Bright, but diffused light is the easiest way to create flattering portraits, so before you start shooting, take a look around to see if there's brighter, but diffused light just a stone's throw away. Get there without delay.

by Kemal Selimovic

7. TFP - not suitable

A very common “payment” for posing among beginning photographers or models is time per photo, which is completely unsuitable for furry subjects. The animal must have some kind of motivation to give you as much attention as required during the shoot. Be sure to determine what your dog or the neighbor’s cat, whose owner you persuaded to rent it out for a photo shoot, likes most. It doesn't even have to be some kind of treat.

by Akimasa Harada

Many animals will be happy to do your favorite thing - photography, in exchange for their favorite thing - playing. Are you motivated as a photographer? Your subjects need to be as motivated as your models. Reward them, your photo shoots should be fun.

8. Create a concept and think about the theme of the photo

by Pavel Shapovalov

The most interesting photos are obtained when the animal is shown in the context of its life. Think about the subjects of your photos in advance. What would you like to capture? This could be a cat that looks into a bag of groceries in the kitchen (concept: intentions, desires), a dog that looks longingly through the front door into the street, as if looking out for a friend or owner (longing), the arms of a child that are wrapped around the neck of a loved one animal (connection, feelings, manifestation of friendship). If you try to say something with your images, they will speak to the viewer on a deeper emotional level.

9. Calm, just calm

No more fast way Discourage the desire to work with you, like hearing loud and scattered commands that will confuse the dog or cause the cat to turn around and leave the room in which you are. Animals may be confused, frightened or worried by your loud voice and, as a rule, take the path of least resistance - they retreat from the shooting location.

by James Stewart

Try to communicate with animals as they do with each other - i.e. non-verbal. Use hand signals: pat your palm on the floor to draw attention to that area. Dogs understand such human actions well. If you need to give the command “sit” or “lie down,” do it in a low voice, literally once, well, maximum twice. Say your pet's name. The more often they hear it, the more inclined they become to joint actions and will try to adapt to you, since they perceive everything that happens as a game aimed at their own entertainment.

10. Move slowly

If you are already skilled in documentary photography and can catch the perfect angle of your pet on the fly, then you can do anything! Well, otherwise, just try to slow down your usual rhythm and movements. Even when moving around the animal, do it more slowly than you would like. This is especially important for photographers who photograph cats. Cats tend to radically change their behavior or “facial expression” if they suddenly catch an unusual movement around them. To prevent the animal from “ruining” your compositional scene, walk around it on tiptoe.

And the most important advice for photographers involved in pet photography is as follows: everyone who takes pictures of animals, moving on their knees, bending, moving strangely in space, looks comical. Humble yourself! Even if you look funny from the outside, your photos will become a tangible consolation prize for you!

Our pets become full members of the family. People derive great pleasure from playing with animals, caring for them, taking them for walks, or simply being in their presence. If we could capture all these beautiful moments with our digital camera, we could enjoy them for the rest of our lives.

Before you start taking photographs, arm yourself with simple but effective tips. Some important recommendations for newbies:
Choose a comfortable place for the animal :
When you photograph an animal, make sure it is calm. Make sure your pet has a comfortable environment. This is the first step to taking truly amazing photos.

Choose a simple background :
Since the background has important, keep it simple, uncluttered and no distractions. This way you highlight the image of the animal and not the background.

Shoot from eye level :
Most pets are small compared to us. Therefore, if we shoot standing, our subject may look like a small thing inside the frame. To add a personal touch, kneel down or shoot while lying on your stomach, at eye level with the animal. This will undoubtedly improve your shot.

Zoom in and shoot close-up :
Pets are generally small and can easily get lost in photos. Therefore, it is useful to use the zoom and take close-up shots here. At the same time, get their attention by calling them by name, or just make some noise.

Try not to use flash :
The flash is very distracting for pets. Therefore, its use should be avoided. It can also cause red-eye, which is also common when photographing people. Therefore, it is better to use natural light. Shoot outside or open a window and let natural light flood into the room.

Photographing an animal with its owner - By-truly intimate photos :
Animal portraits are extremely good, but from time to time it would be nice to photograph pets with their owners.

Use pet toys :
Pets love to play with their toys, so using them will add a playful feel to your photo. Try to keep them close to the camera, and when the animal tries to get the toy, you can press the shutter.

Take them by surprise :
Photograph them discreetly, when they are unaware of your intention, and you will get a natural photo.

Focus on the eyes :
Everyone knows that eyes are the mirror of the soul. By focusing on the animal's eyes, you will discover the emotions hidden within. Try photographing your pet when he is drowsy or has just woken up from sleep. You will feel the difference.

Avoid direct sunlight :
This will help preserve fine detail and color.

In addition to the above tips, patience will be very useful. To get yours best shots, wait for the right moment and press the shutter several times. Then you can capture the perfect image.