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February 1, 2015 By Eileen Blass 7 Comments

‘Lowdown’ from a photo pro: Get great dog pics every time

Tilting the camera up
Tilting the camera up from ground level makes this photo of Teddy dramatic. © 2014 Eileen Blass

So, you want to make better pictures of your Bernese Mountain Dog. It’s hard to mess up when you have a beautiful subject right there in front of you. But you can always make your pictures better by changing the way you look at things.

And don’t feel you need a big fancy camera to do this. You can use your smart phone or a point-and-shoot. The quality of the optics on smart phones and point-and-shoots these days is amazing. You don’t have to spend a fortune, you only have to experiment.

Take things to a different level

Let’s face it, we are taller than our dogs, so most pictures we make of them are looking down at them. That’s not a terrible thing. I do that too. But that gets boring after a while. I like to get down on the dog’s level. Perspective is everything.

Teddy on a hill
It looks like I’m on Teddy’s level, but I’m not. He’s on a hill. © 2013 Eileen Blass

Use those hills!

If your dog is in the backyard and he’s on a little hill, that’s a perfect opportunity for you to shoot from a different perspective. You are a bit lower than him, so your picture will look like you’re on the same level. Here’s a picture of Merlin as a pup that shows this. He’s on a little hill, I’m standing below him and I’m also crouching a bit so it seems like I’m on his level. Same situation with the picture of Teddy in the snow. He’s on a little hill and I am lower than him, so it puts me at eye level or just slightly below him in this case.

Merlin on a hill
Merlin stands up on a hill, which makes it look like I’m on his level. © 2014 Eileen Blass

Get down on the ground!

So, your dog is doing that Berner pout as he lays in the kitchen. You could shoot him from where you’re standing, but if you put the camera on the ground and shoot on your dog’s level, you’ll make a better picture. Here is Merlin relaxing in the kitchen. What makes this picture work is that I’m right there on the ground with him. When you’re outside and your pup is in the grass, get that camera down in the grass with him. Plus, it will make the pictures more fun since the grass will be a significant part of your picture, too.

eyeball to eyeball
Camera in the grass adds eyeball to eyeball contact. © 2014 Eileen Blass
Merlin pouts.
Merlin pouts. The camera is on the kitchen floor. © 2014 Eileen Blass

 vvvv

While you are down there, now look up!

Merlin on the grooming table
Getting below Merlin makes this photo even more striking. © 2014 Eileen Blass

For even more impact, place the camera on the ground and tilt it up. I love putting the camera in the grass and shooting up at the dogs when they are playing. Teddy sailing over a jump (see picture at top) really illustrates how cool this angle can be. And of course, you’ll need a cooperative dog!

Look for something that your dog is doing that works with this angle, leaping around at the beach? Frolicking in the snow? When Merlin was a young pup, I found that placing the camera on the ground when he was out there playing really made for some different pictures. Here’s what I’m talking about. Since the camera is on the ground and I can’t look through it, there are always a lot of wasted pictures, but hey, it’s digital!

Teddy and the Rainbow
The only way to get Teddy and the Rainbow in the same pic is to shoot up. © 2013 Eileen Blass
Merlin romps in the snow
Merlin romps in the snow towards a ground-level camera. © 2014 Eileen Blass
Merlin tugs at pants leg
The straight-down angle makes this photo work. © 2014 Eileen Blass

Look straight down!

Once in a while, you find a moment when it’s best to point the camera directly down over your dog. Perhaps it’s a cool composition that you notice from a high angle, or perhaps it’s a sweet moment or a storytelling picture you need to capture right away. Here are two examples where high angle works to tell the story of what’s happening. I don’t think either of these pictures would have been as good if they were shot from another angle.

A downward angle
Downward angle captures the spooning better than any other. © 2014 Eileen Blass

So, take some chances

Put your camera in a different spot and don’t be afraid to waste a hundred shots. It’s not like you’re having to pay for film and prints. You might get lucky and make one great picture. These dog photography tips can make a world of difference.

Filed Under: Photography, Resources Tagged With: berner, bernese mountain dog, BMD, low angle, photo tips

Comments

  1. Toni Davies says

    February 1, 2015 at 5:08 pm

    Thanks for all the hints. I may never become a great photographer but I’ll start taking much better pictures 🙂

    Reply
  2. Ruth Taylor says

    February 1, 2015 at 9:08 pm

    Thanks Eileen, some good hints there. will have to try them out. Might even go and have a go at the Clydesdales from different angles, lol!!!!!!!

    Reply
  3. Kathy says

    February 2, 2015 at 7:15 am

    Thanks for the great tips!!

    Reply
  4. k says

    February 2, 2015 at 9:17 pm

    Thanks for all the helpful hints, I am so bad at picture taking, I’m sure these tips will help a lot.
    Kathy Sibley
    Michigan

    Reply
  5. STACEE says

    February 3, 2015 at 1:43 am

    OH MY GOODNESS, YOU REALLY CAPTURED SOME GREAT SHOTS THERE EILEEN. THANKS SO MUCH FOR SHARING YOUR TIPS, THEY DEFINITELY MAKE A LOT OF SENSE AND WORKED WELL FOR YOU

    Reply
  6. Gay says

    February 3, 2015 at 9:20 am

    Thanks For these hints. My bad knees won’t let me get on the ground. Are there some poles to put tne camera on? If so where can i get one?

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 21 Ways to Take Great Photos of Your Dog says:
    December 29, 2016 at 5:20 pm

    […] a different angle. Crouch down, kneel, get down on your belly to be on the same level as your dog or put the camera on the ground and point it […]

    Reply

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