Actually I’m talking about dogs.
I’ve taken images of dogs for years but lately it seems they have become a larger part of my repertoire.
My favorite dog portrait is of my dog, Spike.
I admit to being a little bias on this one. Recently, I’ve had the pleasure to meet and photograph many dogs and occasionally their owners.
Following are a few tips for capturing better outdoor dog portraits:
- Outside available light, that is without flash works best. The flash from your camera may startle, look unnatural or take too long to recharge. If it’s an overcast day (this is Seattle after all), run the iso up to 400 or 800. Shoot at 1/60 second or higher.
- Get down on the dogs level. Although an occasional shot of the dog looking up at you is cute, getting down may be more rewarding.
- Choose your time wisely. If you are looking for frisky, “catch the ball” shots, work with your pooch before he/she is exercised. If a more relaxed image is desired, work her out, let her rest, and then bring on the camera.
- Really pay attention to the surrounding. Try to have an uncluttered background
. If you are shooting in color, try analogous colors. - Get up close and personal with pooch.
- Use a “shallow depth of field” and a shorter focal length. Try 50-70mm @ f5.0-8.0 from 2-3 feet away. Try for the background going out of focus leaving eyes and snout in focus.
- Have a few key words to perk up the dog. I always ask what word excites the dog. Usually it’s something like: “park”, “walk”, “treat”. Be camera ready say the word, ears perk up and “bam”a great shot.
- Have treats available but each time give him a very small taste.
- Work in pairs. One person is working the camera; the other just behind or to the side coaxing your pet to look in the direction of the lens (refer to tip # 7 and #8)
- Finally take a lot of pictures and have fun! Let the dog play; let yourself play.
Try these and let me know how they work out. Send me a few of your best dog pictures and I will post some in a future blog.
Have a great time with your dog.
Triptych: TRIP-tik: a picture in three panels side by side.
Would you describe my family triptych portrait session?
My Triptychs Are An Interpretive Work Of Portrait Art
I strive for my triptychs to create a provocative, powerful and insightful moment in your lives. It’s much more than a “family portrait”.
Our First Meeting Is Informative
It’s a time for questions but more importantly to view the triptychs full scale. It’s very difficult to appreciate the impact of a work of art that can be over 5’ wide when it is confined to a computer screen and appears 6” wide.
A Triptych Session Is An Interactive Process
The shooting day is relaxed and slowly paced. We meet, ask and answer questions, select clothing, prepare for the sitting, then adjourn to the studio.
There is A Strong Urge To Sit, Look Into The Camera And Smile. Please, Suppress It.
Unlike a typical portrait session, this one is designed to capture a moment in time and reveal your individual personalities. We’ve all been trained to sit, look into the camera and smile. This is quite different. As the family begins to naturally interact, my camera and I fade into the background.
My Mission
I capture the nuances of expression, which I accomplish by photographically splitting your group into thirds: The left third, the right third, and the center third.
At the session’s close, I have captured upwards of 200 frames. Before you leave, we set a date to review the final selection and to choose your triptych.
Images before editing
The photographer shakes up the familiar scene, and, as if by magic, we see a new meaning in it. - With apologies to Anais Nin
Now, my behind the scene work begins. The images are spread out on a virtual table dividing them into their respective thirds: left, right, center. Next I edit the initial large take to a select 40-60 images. From this select, I assemble 1-5 potential triptychs for your final selection. . Before we meet, I may devote an entire day assembling images to create your family triptych selection.
Gestalt: The Whole Is Greater Than The Sum Of Its Parts
The last meeting begins with an air of excitement. I stress how the family triptych should be viewed as a whole. If anything, they are similar to three frames of cinema film. One plays into the next creating a dynamic interchange.
During the process, an image may be substituted from the select group. This is welcomed. As family members you know each other better than I. I’m intuitive but not all knowing 
.
The triptych is brought to life through my imagery and our partnership. It is therefore essential this last step be completed in one sitting without input from others who may not understand the nature of the triptychs.
By the end of the session, your triptych is selected. Then, three to four weeks later, I delivery your beautiful framed work of portrait art.
Family Triptych
