Treepusher Loc: Kingston, Massachusetts

The shelters need all the help they can get. Good for you volunteering to do this, looks like they're getting some top-notch work. Excellent photos.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Nice images and good going for doing this...I'm going to call my local shelter and ask if they need this sort of thing...I'd love to do it.

RmcBUDDY Loc: Morris County, NJ

I think you are going to start an excellent trend here. I am going to call my local shelter today and see if they need someone to take photos of the animals there. I love animals and this is an excellent way to help them find a loving and caring home.

Marilyng Loc: Lorain,Oh.

Awe they are to cute,with photos as beautiful as these I bet they get a lot adopted! Hats of to you & your wife Bob!

bobfitz Loc: Kendall-Miami, Florida

That would be great. The better the photos the better the pets chances for adoption. Shelters don't have a budget for photography, but if enough of us can help them out it would make all the difference.

Bob

bobfitz Loc: Kendall-Miami, Florida

Bravo. I know you will love doing it. Thank you.

Bob

Robin Poole Loc: Missoula, Mt

[quote=bobfitz]Hello everyone,
I recently rescued a dog from a shelter and in doing so came to understand that for the most part, the photos that they use are not very good and do not show the dogs in their best light. My wife and I decided to volunteer to photograph their dogs for their web site to hopefully generate more interest and more adoptions of these beautiful pets. If any of you could spare a little time, I'm sure your local shelters would welcome your expertise. You will need an assistant to control the dogs. I used a card table with a fabric cover and a backdrop, one Nikon SB800 flash, 36" umbrella and a D7100. If we can help to place more of these animals into good, loving homes it will indeed be a Happy New Year. Best to all in the new year.

Bob/quote]

Absolutely adorable!! Do you bounce the flash off the umbrella to get no shadows? About how much time a week do you spend doing this? What do you use for a backdrop? How would you fotograph a large dog like a German Sheppard? Thanks, Robin

angiehunt Loc: Florida

I've been "shooting" shelter dogs for nearly two years--in fact I wrote a book, SNAPPING SHELTER DOGS, that you can find on Amazon. But this isn't a commercial--it's just to say that you don't HAVE to have anything, just a camera and your time.

I was pretty much a novice when I began, and the dogs taught me tons about photography. :-) My shelter had a fenced area that made a perfect studio, so I brought some nice plain shower curtains, threw one over the fence for a backdrop, and sat down on the floor with the dogs. Using toys or squeaky treats to get their attention, I was able to take great photos without an assistant, lights, or tables (though I do try to use a table with small dogs and puppies, but ONLY if they are quiet and still. If they're too rambunctious, I get on the floor with them.)

I've met some wonderful folks at the animal shelter, and it's been one of the best things I've ever done. I created a Facebook page, CREATIVE PHODOGRAPHY, to encourage others to pick up their cameras and join in. Hope to see some of you there!

a shot I took yesterday. This is "Buster Brown."

izzyandal Loc: Hilton Head Island

Grrrreat ! Having a shelter critter find a forever home is among my greatest highs. We are the staff to three, sweet, pussycats....all had tragic stories and now their greatest problem is being spoiled rotten.
One was snatched for death row, at a nearby shelter, one was rescued from the fanbelt of junkyard car. The first two are a girl and boy Siamese and the third is a, rare Snowshoe cat.

Look at the intelligence in Simon's eyes !

bobfitz Loc: Kendall-Miami, Florida

Yes, I bounce the light off a silver lined umbrella with the wide angle diffuser on the flash and the umbrella about 4 feet from the dog. The closer the light, the softer the light. I shoot camera and flash on manual, that's up to you. Whatever works. I use a background holder and clamp on a fluffy neutral colored throw blanket. The bottom fabric is a white shaggy material from the fabric store. How much time can vary. The first day, they had 16 dogs ready for us. They have to be bathed and looking their best. The 16 took us about 2 1/2 hours including setup and break down. They have about 100 dogs so we'll be going back several times. Large breeds can be done the same way or by putting the bottom fabric on the ground and lowering the background. This is just the way I do it. You can do it any number of ways. Most importantly We use a grooming noose if the dog is to frantic. My wife holds the dog with the noose and I remove it in Photoshop. (See attached photo.) Don't forget...if you have a nice natural background you can certainly use it. best to you and good luck.

Before Photoshop

bobfitz Loc: Kendall-Miami, Florida

Your photo is beautiful. Thank you from the animal lovers of the world.
Bob

izzyandal Loc: Hilton Head Island

I use no flash. I use a large Aperature to make the background a blur.

Robin Poole Loc: Missoula, Mt

Bob Thanks much for your answers. They are a great help. robin

OviedoPhotos

Thanks for helping out the critters.

Papa Joe Loc: Midwest U.S.

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: