| 1. Introduction:If you have just picked up a camera | | | | Ideally you want the best lighting, optimum flexibility |
| for the first time, or have been taking pictures for | | | | with positioning the camera. Lastly if you are going to |
| years, the information contained in this guide will | | | | remove the background from the final print, the |
| ensure that you do not overlook anything as you | | | | cleanest background for editing is desirable. This |
| frame and shoot that picture. Taking your | | | | section will help you take advantage of any flexibility |
| photographs to the next level, by using a few | | | | and optimize your shoot given the environment4.1. |
| computer tools, and free clip art, we will walk you | | | | Pick The Right LightingGiven that we are focusing on |
| through the steps to create a picture like the one on | | | | color photography, proper lighting is essential. In fact |
| the cover of this book as easy as 1-2-3.At pet | | | | proper lighting actually means LOTS OF LIGHT, and |
| shows, and especially dog shows, enthusiasts like | | | | the correct type of light. Without proper lighting it is |
| yourself pay close attention to every detail down to | | | | nearly impossible to have an award-winning |
| making sure that every hair is in place, the bows in | | | | photograph, even one that has been touched up with |
| the top knot are perfect, down to the shin on the | | | | the best photo editing tools. When it comes to |
| glistening coats. The end quality of your picture is | | | | lighting you want to have an even distribution of light |
| dependent upon your attention to details. Whenever | | | | over the entire surface of the pet, including the |
| we take a photograph for a client and create their | | | | underside areas. This light illuminates all areas, is not |
| unique art we do exactly the same. Starting with the | | | | harsh or glaring and does not cause shadowing. Light |
| right photograph is key and we will provide some | | | | that is at a low-angle such as parallel to 30 degrees |
| often overlooked aspects of pet photography. | | | | above the ground, or when outside, sun rise or sun |
| Remember that you must start with the right | | | | set is often the best. This low-angle light covers the |
| photograph in order to obtain good and even great | | | | side surfaces of the pets' body with light. Light that is |
| results.2. Digital Photography Basics For PetsThere are | | | | high in the air, such as overhead lights, or when |
| two assumptions made here. The first is, that you | | | | outside sun light that is high in the sky such as that |
| are interested in color photography and the second is | | | | mid-day harsh sun should be avoided. This harsh light |
| that you have read your camera owners manual and | | | | results in the top surfaces being washed out, and the |
| understand the features and capabilities at least at a | | | | lower areas being dark with excessive shadowing. |
| basic level. With that said the intent of this guide is to | | | | The ultimate goal is low angle, soft, evenly distributed |
| help you get started with taking photographs and | | | | light that illuminates the entire pet. Also remember |
| getting the best possible results. Before we continue, | | | | when to keep the light source or the sun behind you |
| there is one thing often overlooked until it is too late | | | | and watch out for your own shadow!4.5. Picking The |
| that will ruin a great photograph. Shut off the date | | | | LocationYou need to determine if the photo session |
| and time stamp feature. You can be sure that it will | | | | will be indoors or outdoors, and once that is decided |
| always take away from the picture or be in the | | | | you need to optimize the environment as much as |
| wrong place where no amount of editing can account | | | | possible to make the pet at ease. Before the pet is |
| for it.2.1. Picture QualityThe focus here is to start | | | | there, take a good look all around and make sure |
| with the best of everything possible and use your | | | | that the area is clean, organized, and there are |
| camera to the fullest. This does not mean that you | | | | minimal distractions. Distractions can be toys, a left |
| need to spend $2000 on a camera and special lenses, | | | | over newspaper lying around, and even a tree |
| but it does mean taking advantage of the best | | | | branch. You will be in competition with all of these |
| capabilities your camera provides. Even a $100 | | | | distractions for the pets' attention. Unless you have a |
| camera can create good small prints. After you | | | | sleeping dog you are photographing, you will always |
| understand your cameras feature menu and how to | | | | be in competition with the environment. Now the dog |
| navigate it, go back and re-read the picture quality | | | | may be well trained and stay where you put them, |
| section again. Once you understand that section set | | | | but their attention may still be elsewhere. You also |
| your camera to the BEST modes possible.Many | | | | want to remove any items that could complicate the |
| cameras have resolution settings similar to Normal, | | | | photo editing later on.The intent for many of the |
| Better, Fine, and quality settings of Good, Better, | | | | photographs used in fantasy scenes is to remove the |
| Best. Select the Fine and Best modes or what ever | | | | background and have the pet stand alone. It is |
| your camera calls the highest quality and highest | | | | important that nothing sticks up in front of any part |
| resolution modes. You can always reduce the | | | | of the pet that can cause an obstruction. Unless your |
| resolution and quality later if needed, but you can | | | | final print will be of your pet in a grassy field, do not |
| never improve it. Starting off with the best quality | | | | take your pictures of your dog laying on a lawn or |
| photograph gives you the best possible chance of | | | | grassy field. The blades of grass will hide the bottom |
| having a great photograph and piece of art. This | | | | of the paws or any part of the dog that is in close |
| becomes even more important when making larger | | | | to the round4.9. What Photographs Should You Take |
| prints or even posters. As you increase picture | | | | - Getting inside your pets headIt is recommended to |
| quality, your memory card will fill quicker and be able | | | | initially start by letting your pet act naturally in the |
| to store fewer images. Be sure that you have a | | | | environment and study how it acts and responds to |
| large enough memory card or multiple cards. | | | | whatever stimulus is there. This will allow you the |
| Remember, you do not want to run out of storage | | | | opportunity to get inside of your pets head and over |
| when your pet is doing something that will look great | | | | time possibly predict how they will act. Remember |
| on that next Christmas card, so be sure to have that | | | | that many pets will see the camera equipment |
| extra 512M or 1G card handy2.6. Lens Filters and | | | | around and sense the extra attention making them |
| ShadesIf you must take photographs in bright sun, | | | | want to get even more attention. Over time they will |
| such as at an outside farm and pet show, use a lens | | | | forget that you are there and start to focus on the |
| shade and force flash to overcome the harsh sun. | | | | elements in the environment, including even laying |
| One alternative to use especially if your flash is not | | | | down on that special pillow. The idea is to have your |
| powerful enough, is a polarizing filter instead of the | | | | pet at ease and capture that natural moment. This |
| flash. The polarizing filter is one of the most useful | | | | will require you to be patient and continue to snap |
| filters for outdoor photography and is a requirement | | | | the shutter hoping to capture that special moment. |
| for any serious photographer, especially for those | | | | Even in as little as 10 minutes you will understand the |
| that use a digital camera. A polarizing filter will reduce | | | | pets' personality and be able to now stage that |
| the glare and make colors stand out more in harsh | | | | specific photo.5. Basic Adobe Photoshop and |
| sun conditions. These filters can significantly reduce | | | | Illustrator IntroductionFor most photography work |
| white-outs or wash-outs (surfaces with the primary | | | | and picture manipulation you will be using Adobe |
| color all washed out) due to bright reflections. An | | | | Photoshop or other similar photo editing tool. If you |
| example of this would be your golden lab having a | | | | will be creating large prints greater than 11x17 with |
| whitish back, and dark murky looking legs lacking in | | | | text, you should use an illustration tool that provides |
| detail. Some photograph flaws can be edited out and | | | | good text and layout capabilities such as Adobe |
| touched up, however, these flaws are nearly | | | | Illustrator. With these two types of tools you can |
| impossible to eliminate after the fact and make the | | | | create fantastic and artistic pictures, and then include |
| editing look natural.A second important tool to have in | | | | them in professional looking layouts. The intent of this |
| your camera bag is a lens shade. A lens shade is | | | | section is to provide some starting guidelines to |
| inexpensive and is attached on the end of your lens | | | | create some of the basic pictures that are displayed |
| to keep excess light from directly entering the lens. | | | | on Keep in mind that the guidelines and steps |
| It basically provides a tunnel that shields the optics | | | | provided here have been generalized, however, they |
| (lens), and due to its black color absorbs any | | | | will point you in the right direction to create a great |
| bouncing light. This helps the camera to better detect | | | | picture. The references in this section are referring to |
| the light levels of the subject.3. Express your Pets | | | | Photoshop, so if you are using a different photo |
| Personality Through Creative ArtPeople find many | | | | editing tool, you will need to find the equivalent |
| ways to express their personality, whether it is | | | | features.Note that to better demonstrate the |
| through sports, music, art, or another outlet. In any | | | | techniques, the photographs used are not the best |
| case, the creative nature that we have comes to | | | | and did not follow all of the rules in the previous |
| the surface once we have the tools and have | | | | sections. For example, there are poor lighting and lack |
| developed ability to accomplish this. One area that | | | | of detail to emphasize the use of the tools and |
| has continued to grow as a result of technological | | | | techniques.So to get started, take what you have |
| advancement is with computer enhanced graphics. | | | | learned here, get out that camera and have fun.The |
| Faster home computers coupled with programs such | | | | selections of text are excerpts from the Ebook titled |
| as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator have taken the | | | | Pet Photography and Graphic Arts by Anthony |
| high end graphics work once limited to corporations | | | | Palmieri at Palmieri founded Palmieri Concepts after 20 |
| to smaller businesses. The most basic photo | | | | years of creating custom artwork for his own |
| manipulation is to correct flaws in the picture, which | | | | pleasure and enjoyment. This business grew out of a |
| can be expanded to the more advanced creation of | | | | love for motor vehicles and was started to share |
| fantasy scenes, such as overlaying multiple images | | | | with others what began as a hobby. After taking his |
| and the addition of special effects.4. The Photo | | | | own pride and joys (yes this really started with |
| Shoot - The Tricks of Understanding Your PetNow | | | | family pictures and not cars) and combining them |
| that you have a general understanding of how to use | | | | with creativity, it became obvious that many others |
| your camera, lets focus on where, when, and how to | | | | would like to showcase their loves as he has done.In |
| get the optimum environment. There are some things | | | | addition to the custom artwork, he has also written |
| in our control, and others that are not, and at any | | | | numerous articles on automotive art and car shows |
| one time they can change. It is important that we | | | | covering topics from custom show boards, to |
| discuss each element so you can decide what to do | | | | automotive theme garages. Links to some of these |
| given your situation. These elements are lighting, the | | | | articles can be found on web page. His goal was to |
| location, and the position of the pet. If you are | | | | create a business where each and every one of his |
| restricted to a specific time of day outside, then you | | | | works of art are custom done just for you with the |
| many not have any control over the lighting, or do | | | | intention that it would be something that he would |
| you? If you are photographing the pet at a show | | | | display on his own walls. Many of the custom pictures |
| such as walking around the judging stage, you are | | | | that he has created can be seen displayed at his |
| probably limited to the camera position and location. | | | | house. |