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Know

YourStuff

All your technique and gear questions answered by
our team of experts knowyourstuff@bauermedia.co.uk

How do I go

about taking

Chris Parker

PP’s deputy pics of pets?
editor is an
experienced
I’ve been looking for something new to shoot and
tutor, landscape
so have just started a personal project on pet
photographer and
photography. I am really struggling to get decent
videographer.
results. How do you get good pet images when they just
don’t seem to want to cooperate?
Sandra White, Manchester

Adam says: Photographing particularly well for shooting
your pets can be frustrating. your pet. Devote a bit of time ADAM ATKINS
Sometimes they will be the to having the camera with
perfect model – wonderfully you while interacting with
obedient and engaged. Other them first, before you start Use a long lens
times, their mood might make taking photos. They will be 3 Another way to help
Kirk Schwarz them wary or uncooperative. more relaxed around the your pet to relax is
Knowledgeable It might seem like pot luck as camera and much more willing to shoot them with a long lens
wedding, fashion to whether your shoot will to have their photo taken. from further away. They tend to
and product be a success or not. In reality, naturally distance themselves
photographer though, there are steps you can Go at their pace from situations they aren’t sure
Kirk has an eye take to increase your chances 2 Not all pets are as of. If you work at a distance they
for finer details. of success. The name of the compliant as you would are comfortable with, you’ll get
game is to get them feeling like. More often than not they’ll some much nicer images of your
comfortable around the camera. do their own thing rather than little buddy. The odd shout here
sitting serenely while you and there to grab their attention
Slow down compose your shots. Instead, will get them looking at the
1 Excitement might spend time with them, playing camera. Don’t overdo this
convince you that and following them around, though, as they’ll soon get bored
getting stuck straight in is a photographing them in a more and will stop responding to your
great idea, but it’s often not the candid documentary style. noises. Treats are another key
best course of action. Pulling You’ll capture much more of weapon in your arsenal here,
out your camera and diving your pet’s character this way not only for rewarding your pet
Adam Atkins straight into photographing and come away with more when they’ve done well, but for
your pet can be a confusing personal images. You will also keeping their attention.
PP’s features
experience for them. They be able to keep them engaged
writer is an
will usually either remove in the shoot for much longer. Speed it up
accomplished
professional themselves from the situation If they do get bored, give it a 4 Animals tend to
sport and travel or think it’s a new game and rest for a while and come back move around quite
photographer. try to join in on the camera later when the idea of playing erratically, with sudden
operation. Neither works is fresh again. movements and changes of

58 PRACTICAL PHOTOGRAPHY