Here are my top three tips for photographing your dog with your phone camera! 1. Get down on their level! Be prepared to get a knee a bit grubby and get down low. Ideally, you want to be low enough that their eyes are level with yours or at least the camera. Keep the camera straight and at a 90 degree angle to the dog. If you don't get low enough or you tilt the camera downwards, your dog will look distorted i.e. big head, small body! Alternatively, you can get your dog to (safely) go up onto something higher than you! 2. Make sure the light source/sun is behind you! Look to see where the sun or light source is (for example a window if indoors) and ensure you put your back to it and place your dog, so the light is on their face and front. If you try to take a picture with the sun/light source behind your dog, in most cases the dog will be too dark to make out any features, especially if their coat is dark to start with. Just be mindful of shadows if the sun/light source is very bright and directly behind you. You may need to move so it's slighlty off to one side or the other, so you don't get big shadows or a squinty dog! 3. Use Bribery to get their attention! Trying to get a dog to sit and stay when there is too much sniffing and playing to be done is a challenge, even for the most well trained dogs! And let's face it, most dogs think having their photos taken is boring! Therefore, using their favourite treat or toy to get them to sit still for a few seconds is a game changer! Just remember to use the treat/toy as you would when training, i.e. show the treat, then ask them to sit, stay etc. Then while positioning yourself low, hold the treat/toy low and as close to the camera, at their eye level to get the subject to look as close to the camera as possible. Try to avoid holding a treat up high, while the camera is low, as you will just get a picture of the underside of their chin! You may need help with this. You position yourself ready to take the shot and someone else gives the command and holds the treat/toy in position. Don't forget to make a big fuss of your dog and give them that treat/reward, after you have taken the photo! The more you do this, the easier it will be to get them to do it again! For more pet photography tips and tricks follow me on my social media channels and don't forget to tag me or hashtag #emmagrantphotography in any pictures you take where you have used my tips, I would love to see them!
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