Tips and tricks for capturing your canine's personality with every click of the camera
Simply snapping a picture may not capture the playfulness or spontaneity of a dog. Knowing what kind of equipment, angle, and composition to use while photographing a dog can make all the difference in the character captured in the photo. Dog Photography For Dummies gives you practical and fun guidance for capturing your dog's personality and turning ordinary shots into priceless memories that will last a lifetime.
Covering all the latest and greatest gadgets and accessories available to capture and alter photos of your favorite pooch, Dog Photography For Dummies offers techniques that amateurs and intermediates alike can use to improve their photography skills. This hands-on guide features great examples of dog portraiture, plus tons of ideas for fun new places to pose your furry friend, such as the beach, the park, the car, in the snow, and more.
Detailed discussions of color versus black-and-white, indoors versus outdoors, composition, and capturing movement
Advice on how to get a dog to sit still
Considerations for photographing a shy dog who is scared of the camera
Guidance on making the most of natural light
Tips for photographing dogs with black (or dark) coats
How to photograph people and dogs together
Whether for decorating, memories, or holiday cards, Dog Photography For Dummies makes it easy to capture the best of your four-legged friend.
Author(s): Kim Rodgers, Sarah Sypniewski
Edition: 1
Publisher: For Dummies
Year: 2011
Language: English
Pages: 320
Dog Photography For Dummies
About the Authors
Dedication
Authors’ Acknowledgments
Table of Contents
Introduction
About This Book
Conventions Used in This Book
What You’re Not to Read
Foolish Assumptions
How This Book Is Organized
Icons Used in This Book
Where to Go from Here
Part I: Heel! The Basics of Dog Photography
Chapter 1: The Big Picture of Dog Photography
The Scope of Dog Photography
Skills You Need to Excel
Picking the Perfect Approach
Chapter 2: Dog Photography: It’s Like No Other Animal!
Remembering That Fido Isn’t Human
Working with Your Best Friend
Chapter 3: Mutts and Bolts: Photography Equipment
Where It All Begins: Your Camera
Looking at Lenses
Choosing the Best In-Camera File Format
For the Love of Lighting
Other Helpful Things to Have on Hand
Chapter 4: Paws-ing for the Basics: Camera Settings and Techniques
Explaining Photography Fundamentals
Working with Your Camera Settings
Exploring Common Techniques
Maximizing Your Compact Digital Camera
Developing an Artistic Eye: Composition
Creating Images in Color versus Black and White
You Don’t Have to Be a Pro to Shoot Like One!
Part II: Fetch! Go Get That Perfect Photo
Chapter 5: Photographing Indoors
Allowing Light to Determine When You Shoot
Photographing Your Dog in His Favorite Places
Special Considerations for Indoor Photos: It’s All about the Light
Dear Diary: Recording Day-to-Day Activities and Hangouts
Chapter 6: Photographing in the Great Outdoors
Keeping Time on Your Side
Scouting Your Location
Special Considerations for Outdoor Photos
Trying Your Hand at Typical Locations
Testing Your Skills with Challenging Locations
Chapter 7: Taking Studio-Style Portraits
Make Your Own Studio — Anytime, Anyplace
Special Considerations for Studio-Style Portraits
Sitting Pretty for Posed Portraits
Prepping for Photojournalistic Photos
Chapter 8: Capturing Flawless Action
Getting the Timing Right for Interesting Action Shots
Finding a Place That’s Light-Filled and Fun
Special Considerations for Action Photos
Snapping Specific Action Photos
Chapter 9: Zooming in on Close-Ups and Details
Working Out the When and Where Factors
Special Considerations for Close-Ups and Details
Documenting Doggie Features
Embellishing the Story with Pooch Paraphernalia
Chapter 10: Capturing the Love: Dogs and Their People
Recording Special Moments between a Pooch and His People
Special Considerations for Group Shots
Positioning Everyone for Posed Photos
Gearing Up for Interactive Photos
Unique Pairings
Part III: Sit! What to Do after the Photo Shoot
Chapter 11: Introduction to Postprocessing
Tools of the Postprocessing Trade
Managing Your Masterpieces
Managing Files within Lightroom
Chapter 12: Editing and Saving Your Final Shots
Digging Through Your Images: How to Choose the Keepers
Adjusting Photos in Adobe Lightroom
Retouching in Adobe Photoshop
Saving Your Masterpiece
Chapter 13: Showing Off Your Photos
Posting Pics of Your Pooch Online
Show and Tell: Printing Your Photos
Chapter 14: Make No Bones about It: The Business of Dog Photography
Figuring Out How Much You Really Love Photographing Dogs
Touching on Business Basics
Taking Care of Business before the Photo Shoot
Taking Care of Business after the Photo Shoot
Building Your Portfolio
Maintaining a Marketing Mind-Set
Part IV: The Part of Tens
Chapter 15: Ten Ways to Make Your Photo Sessions Fun
Introducing Yourself to the Dog
Filling Your Pockets with Enticing Treats
Getting Physical: The Preshoot Workout
Incorporating Play
Taking Lots of Breaks
Staying Home
Styling Your Dog
Keeping Your Cool
Using Small Talk
Keeping Safety in Mind All the Time
Chapter 16: Doggone It! Conquering Ten Common Challenges
Avoiding the Black Dog Blob
Making Adjustments for White Dogs
Coping with Uncooperative Dogs
Capturing Puppies’ Cuteness
Staying Sensitive to Senior Dogs’ Needs
Planning for Leashes
Working with Multiple Dogs
Managing a Menagerie
Sizing Up the Challenge of Giant Breeds
Handling Stressed-Out Humans
Chapter 17: Pro-Bone-O: More than Ten Tips for Giving Back
Identifying Local Shelters and Rescues
Making the Best of the Shelter Setting
Offering Your Help without Creating Extra Work for the Rescue
Making the Most of Adoption Day Shoots
Being Aware of Rescue Animals’ Special Needs
Spreading the Word about Adoptable Animals through Social Media
Donating a Portion of Your Session Fees as a Fundraiser
Donating Packages for Silent Auctions
Hosting Special Events as a Fundraiser
Using Your Own Website to Help Rescues
Using Adoptable Animals in Your Promo Materials
Chapter 18: Ten Ways to Promote Your New Business Endeavor
Creating a Website
Getting Found by Search Engines
Talking Up Your Business
Building Relationships with Local Pet Care Businesses
Trading Services Wisely
Volunteering with Local Rescue Groups
Attending Pet-Related Events
Visiting the Dog Park
Building Press Instead of Advertising
Staying Connected with Past Clients
Index
