Photographer

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Portrait and Pet Phography Expert

Why do some of the subjects of my photos have red eyes?
How do you place a cat & dog etc. in the same photo ?
What do you do to get the animals to cooperate with you ?
When should I use a flash ?

Q. Why do some of the subjects of my photos have red eyes?

A. Flashes that are attached and therefore very close to the camera shine light directly into the retina causing red eye. Use a separate flash held either to the side or on top of the camera. Make sure the flash is higher than the subject being photographed. Another way is to bounce the flash of a white card or ceiling. This will eliminate red eye and help also with harsh shadows behind the subject. If you can't take the flash off the camera or can't make the flash go higher try to get the subject to look away from the camera. This way the light doesn't shine directly into the retina.

Q. How do you place a cat & dog etc. in the same photo ?

A. This is not an easy task. If the cat and dog get along as friends you could try making the dog comfortable on a table or chair and then gently put the cat in front of him. Hopefully the cat will stay. Have your camera ready on a tripod looking at the image you wish to shoot. Keep trying. Eventually the cat and dog will stay together. If you can do digital imaging you might want to shoot the dog first and then the cat then digitally cut and paste the two pets together. This can be done very effectively.

Q. What do you do to get the animals to cooperate with you ?

A. Dogs are easy to photograph. I use a posing table and lots of treats. A dog will generally stay put after being put onto the table. I talk to him and hold up toys and things. I also get the owner to stand behind me so that the dog will look right into the camera.

Cats are not so easy to photograph unless they are mature cats. Young cats tend to want to jump off the table and hide. It's best to have a camera ready with a flash that comes off the camera and follow the cat until it settled down. This way you are sure to get some decent photographs of it.

Q. When should I use a flash ?

A. You should use a flash indoors if the lights are on otherwise the image will come out with a red caste. You should use a flash out doors when there are shadows on the subject or the subject is back lit (avoid shooting into the sun) Sunny days are the worst days to shoot portraits but a flash will fill in the shadows and make skin tones even out. The best time for portraits is on a overcast day where the light is perfect and you don't really need a flash. If the natual light is subdued you can take some nice window portraits without flash indoors. Make sure your camera is on a sturdy tripod and place the subject close to a window.

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