Two Fundamental Elements in Pet Photography

To accomplish a good composition photo of pets is not that hard but it’s not that easy too. A photographer needs to have the necessary skills to capture the best moments of pets. In such occasions like in a pet photo contest, different entries show a certain story in their pet photograph. As they always say that telling a good story is the same with taking a good photograph.

Pets especially dogs are not an easy subject to capture unlike what others think. Planning to join a dog photo contest needs extra effort, determination, and patience. Bear in mind that your subjects cannot understand the common language we use so we have to do every way to make them understand what we want them to do if we aim a very good portrait photo of them.

The most important elements each photographer must consider if they want dogs as their subject in a pet photo contest entry are composition and the proper placement of the camera. Before anything else, it would be better to create a story in your mind first before the actual photo shoot. Ask yourself how you would like the photograph to look and how would you like the viewers to feel upon seeing the photograph. A story can guide you on composing your entry in a dog photo contest. Let’s say that you want the subject to show superiority like Doberman and German shepherd breeds that are considered police dogs. Taking their photos from above would surely not appeal to judges in a dog photo contest. What you can do is to go down to their level and place the camera below them for a lower perspective and that will somehow produce a photo

of a tall and hero-like image of the subject.

To achieve a dramatic concept for your pet photo, try the overhead position and close up shots. In this way, you can capture the body part especially the head or face with its facial expressions that are prominent. Another position where we could get a good composition for pets is from taking the shot from behind. Use of frames must be implemented for this position to highly accentuate the center of interest. Taking a picture from behind can be very useful and flexible when used as an entry for a pet photo contest.

Knowing how to properly position your camera could greatly help in achieving an excellent composition in pet photography. For novice photographers, it is a must to learn the techniques mentioned above in order to improve the skills in photography and eventually become an expert.