Photographing Black Dogs 101
Having trouble getting glamour shots of your black dogs? Prospective adopters love photos. Are your black dogs looking their best? Follow these easy tips to improve your photos, get your black dogs noticed and help increase adoptions. If your dogs look so good that they get agents and develop super model attitudes, don’t blame us!
*All tips assume that you are using a basic point and shoot camera with automatic settings.
Outdoor Tips
- Take your pictures in the morning or early evening for best light; from sunrise to about 3 hours after sunrise and from 3 hours before sunset to sunset.
- Shoot on a cloudy day. The light is soft and your subject will be evenly lit.
- Face the sun, then turn 90 degrees to your right or left. This is where you should place your subject.
- Use direct lighting if no other lighting choice is available. Stand with your back to the sun, then move slightly left or right so the sun is shining just over your shoulder. Place the subject directly in front of you.
- Use a large white object such as foam core, paper, or a white wall to add extra light. Just place the white object as close to the dog as you can without getting it in the shot.
Indoor Tips
- Use natural light if possible. Photograph your subject near large windows with plenty of sunlight.
- For a little extra light, place your subject next to something white such as a white wall or a large white piece of paper.
- Shine a utility light flashlight at the white wall your subject is standing next to it to bounce light off the subject.
- Avoid having other people, animals, or unsightly objects in the background that may take attention away from your subject.
General Tips
- Do not use the flash on your camera if you can help it. It causes the human equivalent of “red eye” and is very unflattering to your subject.
- Do not photograph the subject from above. Get down to the dog’s level for a more natural look. This may mean lying on the floor or setting a small dog on a table.
- Do not photograph dogs outside in mid afternoon when the sun is directly overhead. This causes unflattering, harsh shadows.
- Make sure your own shadow and those of other people or dogs are not in the photograph.
- Get a few other people to help; someone to hold the leash and another to get the dog’s attention.
- Reward good behavior with treats! Tiny, soft “training treats” are best for an immediate reward without interrupting your photography session.