NOVADog Blog

Many pets will sit still and pose for the camera, allowing even an amateur photographer to get a great shot.  But the most common complaint I get from my clients is that their pet won’t sit still or look at the camera (which is why they called me in the first place.)  Let me share a few pointers with you.

First, shoot at the highest shutter speed the lighting in your situation allows.  The fast shutter speed “freezes” the action, but requires a larger aperture opening because it doesn’t allow much time for light to reach the sensor (assuming you use digital now.)  For point and shoot cameras, this means using the “sports” or “action” setting.  If the picture is too dark, use a flash, increase the area lighting, or move to a brighter area.  You may find with the larger aperture that your photos are out of focus.  This is because the depth of field is reduced and you are shooting a moving object.  Often your autofocus will focus on something in the background, making your subject blurry.

Second, you can attempt to get the pet to sit still, even if just for an instant, so you can get your photo.  The easiest way to do this is by using an assistant.  For example, have your assistant keep your dog on a leash and place him where you want him.  Have the assistant stand at an angle to you, and then ask him to command your dog to stay.  Then compose and focus your camera BEFORE you have the assistant remove the leash.  You can make a noise to get your dog to look at you, then press the shutter release.  You may only have a fraction of a second, but that’s all it takes.  This method takes lots of patience, since it may take ten or twenty tries to get the photo you want.

Finally, why not just give in and take an action photo of your pet?  Since you have an active pet anyway, it makes sense to capture him in motion.  There are two ways to do this.  One is to hold the camera still and take a portrait of your pet as he runs past or towards you.  There will be some blurriness, but if it’s not too much the portrait will convey the impression of action.  The second is to pan the camera along with your pet as he runs.  This is difficult, but when done right will “freeze” your pet in motion and the background will be blurred.  This gives the portrait the effect of speed, much like you see in a still photo of a racecar at speed.

Photographing your pet may present many challenges, but it is also very rewarding.  Keep your pet in mind, use the right techniques and remember to be patient!  You’ll soon have some wonderful pet photographs.

Megan Baden is owner and founder of Paws and Claws Photography. She has been passionate about both pets and photography for many years, and started her own company in 2005. She is currently raising two miniature Schnauzers, Parker and Hunter.

Photos by Cascades Photography

Get Your Green on! It’s time for the annual FUN DOG SHOW.

March 6th marks the 29th annual Ballyshaners Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in Old Town Alexandria. The parade festivities always began with the Fun Dog Show, which is held in Market Square, and is co-sponsored again this year by Barkley Square Gourmet Dog Bakery and Karing by Kristina, Pet Care Professionals. Northern Virginia Dog Magazine is proud to be a sponsor of the Fun Dog Show event that draws dogs and their owners in record numbers.

Be sure to bring your pup! You can enter your dog in categories ranging from Best Tail Wag to Best Irish Costume. Proceeds from the event are donated to the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA).

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
10:00 a.m.
Invitational Classic Car Show.  North Pitt Street between King St. & Cameron St.

10:30 a.m.
Fun Dog Show.  Market Square

12:30 p.m.
Parade Division 1 steps off to begin the parade

More info: http://www.ballyshaners.org/content.aspx?page=91&section=1

Recently I was speaking with Carol Brooks from DogOn Fitness about some of the obstacles we have dealt with during the Canine Fitness Challenge and I had to be honest and say that if it were not for the accountability factor of the Challenge I (not my dog) would have quit.  I really don’t like winter and we are getting bulldozed this year.  My husband and I moved to Northern Virginia in 1989.  He is originally from South Carolina and I am from Mississippi.  We can take the summer heat here…no really, in 20 summers I can honestly count the number of days I could not go outside for an extended period of time on one hand.

But winter makes me crazy.  How does the dog feel about it you ask?  This is her first snowy winter.  She doesn’t seem to mind it.  She doesn’t beg to get out in the snow but neither does she shy away when we grab the leash. My daughter is walking her as the snow falls now.  Since I don’t love walking her in the snow I have come up with other ways to get some exercise indoors.  I think I mentioned in a previous blog that Tippy’s energy levels are way up so she has become a big fan of tug toys.  She likes to play a version where we tug for several minutes followed by a game of  ”keep away”.  She also enjoys being chased around the house.  She will play some combination of these games for up to 30 minutes.  This works for me because I get to stay warm and she is getting the exercise she needs.

We still use treats with her.  Especially as we have been working through some of her issues.  Canine Caterers generously supplied us with several bags of healthy treats but her favorite is the Crunch-eze health snacks.  They come in several flavors but Tippy will eat any of them.  We have worked very hard to cut back on the treats because we felt that with 5 people in the house she was probably getting “treated” a lot. She still wants more…but she is no dummy.  She is not an aggressive beggar.  She instead prefers to use her cuteness to get us to cave.

But we have become much stronger than even I thought we could be and it is really starting to pay off.  As we head into the home stretch of this challenge I am looking forward to the warmer spring weather  so I can enjoy the walks as much as she does. but I am also excited that the changes we have made have really worked for Tippy! Keep warm!

Amy Peterson and her family live in Herndon, VA. Their dog Tippy, was chosen as the winner to participate in the NOVADog Fitness Challenge. Our vet consultant says that Tippy has about 12 pounds to lose during the 6-month Fitness Challenge, which runs through March of 2010. We invite our readers to check back often to follow her progress and read interesting articles about canine health, fitness, and nutrition.