Taking pictures of dogs and cats: I like taking pictures of dogs and cats so I am starting to volunteer at the local animal shelter. If I can take a nice picture I figure that animal...

catsndogs Loc: prince george

I like taking pictures of dogs and cats so I am starting to volunteer at the local animal shelter. If I can take a nice picture I figure that animal is more likely to get adopted. Do you have any suggestions about taking such pictures. Such as should I take a nice looking close up maybe showing just head and shoulders. Or should I try to show the whole dog. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.
I have a nikon p500. Not an slr but I like it.

jazzplayer

catsndogs wrote:

I like taking pictures of dogs and cats so I am starting to volunteer at the local animal shelter. If I can take a nice picture I figure that animal is more likely to get adopted. Do you have any suggestions about taking such pictures. Such as should I take a nice looking close up maybe showing just head and shoulders. Or should I try to show the whole dog. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.
I have a nikon p500. Not an slr but I like it.

If you're trying to get them adopted, I'd say full body shots are preferable. Head shots might be easier to get for unruly animals, though, and would also work better with limited presentation real estate, like print ads, etc.

Festina Lente Loc: Florida & Missouri

catsndogs wrote:

I like taking pictures of dogs and cats so I am starting to volunteer at the local animal shelter. If I can take a nice picture I figure that animal is more likely to get adopted. Do you have any suggestions about taking such pictures. Such as should I take a nice looking close up maybe showing just head and shoulders. Or should I try to show the whole dog. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.
I have a nikon p500. Not an slr but I like it.

I did that for a while (volunteered). The most frustrating thing was they did not have a decent background (or location) and all the images had cluttered backgrounds with cages in the just inches away. I tried strobes to eliminate the backgrounds which worked great, but the light stands got in their way and I was asked not to use them.

See if you can do better with a staged area so you can really present these unfortunate animals in the best light.

Then I fell in love with too many adoptees, my heart went out and the emotional strain of getting to know those that were destined for euthanasia kept me awake at night.
God bless those who work there day-in and day-out. I'm too much of a pet lover.

katbandit Loc: new york city

It's hard to take photos of any animal so I give you lots of credit..to begin with I would suggest a simple background. Have the animal away from it so not to cast shadows..use a diffused flash bouncing it off the ceiling so you don't flash in their eyes if indoors. Try full shots of them but close up and also try capturing their personality..say a bandana around their neck ..a toy with them..one big flower that they can sniff..make sure you only put something simple and not distracting from the animal. A small fishbowl with one little goldfish for a sweet curious cat..remember that people love animal photos that are fun and appealing..use a plain blanket and have a dog play with a ball while taking the photo from above standing on a small ladder..the ideas are endless...get to know each animal before taking their photo and good luck..you may end up with a larger family yourself..lol

francesca3 Loc: Sausalito, CA

I suggest that you practice taking various kinds of photos. You will soon see what works best.
Personally, I think that close-ups of animals' faces are more attractive to people who are viewing pictures of potential adoptees.
Then too, you perhaps you could take pics of both faces and whole body shots --- > maybe your facility can post both. If not, you can pick and choose the ones you think are best.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

catsndogs wrote:

I like taking pictures of dogs and cats so I am starting to volunteer at the local animal shelter. If I can take a nice picture I figure that animal is more likely to get adopted. Do you have any suggestions about taking such pictures. Such as should I take a nice looking close up maybe showing just head and shoulders. Or should I try to show the whole dog. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.
I have a nikon p500. Not an slr but I like it.

Dogs and children , get on their level, available light , burst shooting, let them get used to you, Bob.

Georgia Peddler Loc: Brunswick, GA

More power and salutations to those of you who shoot these animals. I picked up the wife last Thursday from her office and we ent for a quick lunch. She had me stop at the local humane office here in Brunswick, GA "just to look". We brought home a beautiful little kitty that has become our joy. Our little Jack Russel (Irish Shorty) has adopted the new kitty and the new kitty has taken over the house. Is she happy? You had better believe it!!
I salute those who volunteer daily at these facilities.

jimberton Loc: Michigan's Upper Peninsula

bobmcculloch wrote:

quote=catsndogs I like taking pictures of dogs an... (show quote)

great advice.

i do lots of photos of dogs and cats....flash is a real no no. flash scares them. they are in a scary place to begin with. set up an area and use available light with maybe a few reflectors on stands. set iso as high as your camera will take good photos, get you shutter speed up around 200-250 and shoot away. i use a small ball with a squeaker in it....when i want the dogs attention..i sqeeze the sqeaker and he or she always pauses for a second...time to shoot in continuous mode.

francesca3 Loc: Sausalito, CA

bobmcculloch wrote:

quote=catsndogs I like taking pictures of dogs an... (show quote)

Yes, that is totally right on. I take a lot of animal photos, and just as with children, the best photos are taken at their level so be willing to drop to your knees or even lower.
Using a flash is not a "no no."

davis

That cat avatar realy creeped me out when it actually moved and looked at me! Great effect.....got my attention

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Festina Lente wrote:

Then I fell in love with too many adoptees, my heart went out and the emotional strain of getting to know those that were destined for euthanasia kept me awake at night.
God bless those who work there day-in and day-out. I'm too much of a pet lover.

That's why I don't volunteer to do that. I occasionally drive pugs for a pug rescue group, and I still wonder what happened to those dogs I transported. I'm amazed that so many people can give up dogs that they have had for years.

As for getting good pictures, Festina hit the nail on the head. You cannot have the dogs in a concrete room that looks like a prison. Maybe you could paint a sheet of thin plywood and put the dogs in front of that. Going outside would be ideal, but that might not be allowed.

angiehunt Loc: Florida

I do the same thing, and because I'm a writer in my day job, I put together two little Kindle books on the subject--Snapping Shelter Dogs and Snapping Shelter Cats. :-) They're available on Amazon and cover everything from how to shoot to how to handle the animals--and the shelter regulations. I even cover who owns the copyright to those pics.

I bring my own backgrounds and a few props, and I love my pictures (and so does the shelter staff). Every once in a while I get a cat or dog that refuses to cooperate, but most of the time both the animal and I have a great time in our photo session.

Oh--and the royalties from the above books goes to help my shelter renovate a kennel wing, so please don't take this as self-promotional. :-) I'm trying my best to help in the best ways I can.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

angiehunt wrote:

I do the same thing, and because I'm a writer in m... (show quote)

Good for you! :thumbup:

angiehunt Loc: Florida

P.S. If you'd like to see some of my pics to get ideas for backgrounds and props, they are here: http://hunthaven.photoshop.com

Happy shooting! And yes, ignore the "no flash" rule. Whatever works, works. :-)

francesca3 Loc: Sausalito, CA

angiehunt wrote:

I do the same thing, and because I'm a writer in m... (show quote)

That is so wonderful of you! Is there a place we can go to see some of your animal photos?