Cy Hundley
Hello out there fellow animal lovers. Thought I would share some information and give a few tips on the best ways to get the best photos of your animal for use as reference material for an artist, such as myself, who will use them to create a beautiful pet portrait painting.
I am by no means a professional photographer, so I don’t want to pretend to know more than most people. I do know however what I need as far as reference material (pictures) go, to create the most accurate and striking portrayal of your pet.
As is stated in my website, given the opportunity, I would like to do the photographing. Not only because I know what I need but mainly because it gives me the chance to connect with the animal and really learn things about its demeanor and personality. Many of my clients, however are out of state, and I need them to provide me with these all important photographs.
Here we go! The CAMERA: you do not need a huge Len’s pro model $12,000.00 rig. I use a simple Nikon coolpix S560. Nowadays it is really nice to have some sort of digital camera so files can be sent, manipulated enlarged etc… Every once in a while I still paint from an old 3 x 5 print but given the option, good digital files are better.
The SHOTS: I like to have at least 4 or 5 different pictures to paint with. One of these has to be the EXACT pose or likeness that you want me to portray as your pet portrait, of course some minor changes can be made, legs crossed, ears perking (teach you how to get that to happen later), straightening of messy coats etc… The other photos need to show close up of the eyes and snout, true coat color and 1 or 2 other relaxed poses as the animal just plain old being itself. Most of these photos,especially the one that will be painted should be taken at or near the animals head level, if possible.
The LIGHTING: It would be best to photograph your animal outside in morning light with the sun behind you and shining onto your animals face and coat. These are optimum conditions that of course cant always be met, any cat owners out there know this! Dogs and horses are easier to get the lighting right with. Mainly try not to use a flash as this can change the color of things on the animal. Having said all this simply put anything you can do to show the true color and shade of your animals coat and eyes will make for the best reference material. Flashes going off in the face of an unsuspecting animal is not good either so if you have to use one, be kind and don’t have them look directly at the camera.
CLARITY and COMPLETENESS: It is very important that the photos are clear. Mainly the eyes, snout and coat texture. You do not need to use a tripod, most of us can hold the camera steady, just be aware that the animal may not want to always cooperate with a static visage. always check your shots for clarity. Make sure as well that you get all of the animal in the photo, at least everything that you want painted! If nothing else take some extra shots of body parts which may have been left out of the “one” photo that you want painted. Also along those lines, make sure any characteristic marks that are unique to your animal can be clearly seen in the pictures.
SOME EXTRA TIPS: Be opportunistic! if your pet is snoozing in a cute way or doing something fun or cool looking have the camera handy and photo the event, keep an album, the more the merrier! Use a favorite ball or toy to help the animal to strike a pose. I am not a fan of using food or treats for this, but as a last resort it has happened. Any time your animal is acting in a way that totally exemplifies its character, TAKE THE PHOTO! Ears up and mouth closed is desireable for a classic pet portrait…use a high pitched whistle,softly of course, not as to hurt the poor things ears, or kissing sounds, I have even used bird calls to get that look in both dogs and cats. When photographing horses just move slowly and evenly throughout the shoot, they can get a little anxious about jerky movements and the camera clicking etc…
I hope all this will help you with the photographing for your pet portrait. These photos are extremely important especially if the animal cannot be met in real life…….Good luck and have fun!
Chat with you soon, Cy
