PHOTO ADVICE
The quality of photo that I receive has a huge impact on the end result of the portrait that I can produce. Not only is focus and clarity important, but your pet should be featured 'large' within the image. Ideally, your pet should be looking at the camera or slightly to the left or right (vs looking UP at the camera). If the pet is looking to the side....make sure that both eyes are visible; a partial view of the back eye looks better than only one visible eye. Make sure that all features, such as eyes, nose and whiskers, are visible. I encourage clients to send mutliple photos so that together, we can pick a photo that best represents your pet.
PET PHOTO LIGHTING
The best possible lighting is normally achievd either outside on a bright, overcast day.....or in a bright room by a window. Bright sunshine and direct sunglight may make your animal squint or not show their true color variations. Indoor lighting, even with a flash, often results in abnormal color and shadows and a less than desirable outcome. If photographing your pet outside, stand with your back to where the sun is (preferrably behind a cloud), and have your pet facing you. This will produce a maximum amount of natural light on your pet. Ideal lighting is especially important with animals that are all black or all white. If you are photographing in a brightly lit room near a window, stand with your back to the window and your pet facing you for optimal results. Never use a flash indoors as this creates abnormal color and shadows.
POSE AND COMPOSITION
:The best portraits capture not only an animal's likeness and appearance....but also the animal's character and personality.
When posing your pet or submitting prior photos, always try and make sure that:
When posing your pet or submitting prior photos, always try and make sure that:
- The photo represents your pet's personality and physical appearance. Is the color true? If you like a particular pose but the color (due to lighting or filters etc) is off.....feel free to send in multiple photos. "I really like this shot......but the color is more correct in THIS one.....".
- Are the eyes open and catching/reflecting some light? Eyes are the "window of the soul", so good sharp eyes are important.
- Is the photo taken at eye level? Photos taken "down" on an animal are distorted...and show too much of the top of the head. Ideally, the chin should be visible to some degree.
- Try and make sure your pet "fills the frame" of the photo. Try to fill the frame without pinching or zooming on you phone as this loses photo quality. Photos taken at a distance and then enlarged by me to help me capture detail, also lose quality. That being said.....if your pet is TOO close to the camera......the photo will be distorted (hence the photos may show the pet with an enormous nose)! I also recommend that you avoid using portrait mode. These photos are beautiful to view on your phone.....but for my purposes.....much needed detail is often blurred in the image.
IMAGE QUALITY
A photo with good resolution is very important and helps provide necessary detail for a good portrait. The image file size is ideally 3MB or higher. Please also consider:
- Is the lighting appropriate?
- Is the subject in focus?
- Is the color correct with good contrast between lights and darks?
- Is the original image file available to be sent by email (photos that are uploaded onto social media are automatically reduced by their respective platforms and are of less quality).
KEEP SNAPPING AWAY!
Many times, I'm asked to do a memorial portrait for a a pet that has already passed, and obviously in those situations......I do the best I can with any available photos. But if you have a living pet and desire a portrait....I encourage mutliple photos to be submitted.
Fortunately, in the era of cell phones.....photos are fast and cheap so snap away! Go for alert ears and sharp alert eyes. Have a friend help you..... and remember....treats are your friend! Try shooting on mutliple days. Pets frequently get burdened or burnt out quickly with posing.....or like us....may just have an off day.
Just remember.......A GOOD PORTRAIT STARTS WITH A GOOD PHOTO!
Fortunately, in the era of cell phones.....photos are fast and cheap so snap away! Go for alert ears and sharp alert eyes. Have a friend help you..... and remember....treats are your friend! Try shooting on mutliple days. Pets frequently get burdened or burnt out quickly with posing.....or like us....may just have an off day.
Just remember.......A GOOD PORTRAIT STARTS WITH A GOOD PHOTO!
Excellent eye sharpness and detail for an indoor photo.
Poor indoor lighting and blurry image. Good lighting is vital for solid black or white animals.
Subject does not "fill the frame". Image will lose detail and clarity when enlarged for portrait image.
Good indoor shot. Photo with good lighting that provides detail. Shot at eye level which gives good perspective of features.
Portrait mode has lost all of the detail on the chest and shoulders.
Excellent indoor photo with great visible detail.
Photo taken at eye level but TOO CLOSE! Nose size is distorted.
Better photo of same dog. Good lighting and detail for indoor photo.
Outdoor photo but very poor lighting....providing no details.
Photo taken looking down on the dog.....resulting in a "flat" image. Try and make sure chin is at least partially visible.
Good.......
Better........
BEST! Great photos give great results!