Tips On Photographing Your Pet:

As you may know having a good photograph to work from is very important.

The quality of my portrait will be dependent on your photos.

You need to supply a photograph that is clear, up close (fill the view finder with your pet, not your house or garden!), and is of a pose that is typical of your pet.

The photo's below are an example of the images that are best to work with.

To achieve this the following guide helps you get the photo you want.

The best possible lighting is achieved outside or by a window.

If you are outside avoid in direct sunlight as this will make your pet squint and also you will have dark shadows on the face and the colouring of fur will not be true.

If the sun is out, put your pet in the shade, but stand with your back to the garden that has the sun on it otherwise your camera will focus on the area with the sun and your pet will just be a shadow in the foreground.
(have the light source behind you)
The best day is a bright overcast day (not too heavy cloud so the light is still getting through).

If you have to take your photo indoors, then in a light room near the window is best. (your back to the window and your pet facing the window). Try to avoid using the flash, as this will cause red eye in your photo.

The best position of your pet is to have yourself right down at the same level of your pet.
Photos pointing down don't look right. If need be lay down.
It is a good idea to have someone next to you with a favorite toy or sweetie, or to say a word that gets your pet to look interested.
Have your pet look at the person next to you. As this pose is better than face on or completely side view.
A slight angle to the side is much better or place your pet onto a table to raise them up to a better positon for you to photograph them from.
Make sure that the surface is non-slip, otherwise they may injury themselves from a slippery surface. Note: Do this with caution as some animals can be scared of heights.

It's a good idea to get several photos over a period of a couple of days. We don't want your pet to look fed up!!

And finally remember to have fun, if you start taking photos well before you need the painting then there is no rush or stress on you.

Good luck!!

An excellent photo to work from

This is an excellent photo to work from. Because it was taken up close I can see the eyes clearly.

A good example for a horse painting

Here is another good photo.

Taken up close so I can see the eye. It is the eyes in a painting that makes it alive.

Another good photo

Last updated: Monday, May 23, 2005