Puppy protraiture...Pointers please

[kybo]

Hey,

My nephew's Beagle has just had 5 puppies and, as I've taken shots of him at karate tournaments before, he thinks I have the skills to photograph all and sundry.

So, not wishing to disappoint, I am applying here for help. Bearing in mind I have never photographed animals before can you good people offer some assistance and imagry to point me in the right direction?

Also, as they are only a couple of days old, I'm led to believe that handling them is a no-no?? If so how do we get round this barrier - patience; is it worth sitting and waiting for a shot to present itself or do we wait until they are old enough to be handled?

Many thanks,
Scott

[Gemm]

I'd wait till they all fall asleep and take lots of shots. There's nothing like puppies sleeping all huddled up together!

[mattdaniels]

They are too young for proper portraits. I wouldn'd do anything before about 6 weeks. You need a lot of patience and a helper to attract their attention / get the right poses. And a bit of luck. Examples from a friend of mine who breeds Dobies:







Dogs are hard enough to pose as it is, best of luck with puppies!

[Gizmo!]

As with most things which don't know/don't care what you're doing, smaller apertures for greater DoF and faster shutter speeds. Both of which dictate more light is required.

And patience, Luke.

[Ed_P]

Uncluttered backgrounds look good. This used a black backdrop draped over a chair; window light plus a speedlite bounced from behind me off the walls/ceiling. 1/125 second, F5.6.


Cute Puppy by Ed Phillips 01, on Flickr

[kybo]

Matt, Ed,

Gorgeous images; aren't puppies/young dogs so cute.

Based on what's been discussed so far my nephew, and to some extent myself, were being a bit too keen in wanting some shots. I suppose there's no harm in nipping round every so often, on the off chance of getting a 'lucky' shot or two, without moving or staging them of course.

O/T - mummy won't let daddy near the puppies yet, is that a normal protective stance by the mum?

Scott

[GetCarter]

Get down low and have 'toys' is my best tip.

[_dobbo_]

Buy William Wegman - "Polaroids" or perhaps if it's puppies you are shooting then buy William Wegman - "Puppies".

Copy.

Done.



As above - uncluttered background works well - obligatory wide angle is also a good option.





Put them in a saucepan! Yum:

Edited by _dobbo_ on Wednesday 19th October 12:55

[Gizmo!]

_dobbo_ said:

I love that.

And the fact the dog appears to be called Wilf.

[_dobbo_]

Wilf is great!


I hate you for making me wear this...


If you look closely his bum isn't touching the floor. This is Wilf's show of outright defiance when you tell him to sit but he doesn't really want to. It's about as badly behaved as he ever gets - he's such a good boy it's ridiculous!

Treat?

[kybo]

I agree, Wilf looks positively lovely - and a great name to boot!!

George does it for me though - a proper well groomed scruff-mutt as we call them (no disrepect intended George )

I nipped in on the pups yesterday (without my gear) just to see how they were doing. They're a little more detached from Daisy now so I may nip round at the weekend and see if I can get any half decent snaps.

Ben, what wide angle lens did you use on George and Wilf?

Thanks,
Scott

[_dobbo_]

It's a Sigma 10-20.

Other UWA lenses are available but I absolutely love the Sigma. Superb colour and contrast, fast focusing and quiet. Very hard to beat for the money and available in all camera fitments.

Tamron do a similar lens for similar money - Nikon and Canon equivs are significantly more expensive.

[14-7]

GetCarter said:

Get down low and have 'toys' is my best tip.

Is that after he's had a hair cut?

[AndyKH]

Be patient, line up the shot before getting their attention and be patient.

[Felters]

Here you go - this is our Pointer when she was about six months old. That is what you meant isn't it?

[kybo]

/\ Nice one Felters!! I get it now - took me about 30 seconds, though!!

Andy, love the Peek -a- boo shot.

Probably best to wait until at least they have their eyes open, but I've decided to have a go this weekend - I'll have to go macro though as they're only about 6in long at the minute. Got no Widey's or any special lenses to use but we'll see what happens.

Ben, I'm so glad it's not an extortionately expensive lens you've used. Been wanting a decent UWA/Fisheye for a while, just haven't been able to afford them. Will be scouring the net for one of those!!

Thanks,
Scott

[Gizmo!]

You might also look for a Tokina 12-24: I have one and it's very good indeed, constant f4 also.

Cost me £310 new, not sure how much they are now.

[kybo]

Gizmo! said:

You might also look for a Tokina 12-24: I have one and it's very good indeed, constant f4 also.

Cost me £310 new, not sure how much they are now.

I'm on it!! F2.8 not needed for blur? Or does it not make much different with Wideys?

ETA: Watching one on ebay £270, no bidders, 9 days left.

S

Edited by kybo on Friday 21st October 13:55

[Gizmo!]

kybo said:

Gizmo! said:

You might also look for a Tokina 12-24: I have one and it's very good indeed, constant f4 also.

Cost me £310 new, not sure how much they are now.

I'm on it!! F2.8 not needed for blur? Or does it not make much different with Wideys?

ETA: Watching one on ebay £270, no bidders, 9 days left.

S

Edited by kybo on Friday 21st October 13:55

Aperture is proportional to focal length. So it makes less difference on a WA than a telephoto. As above, I love the 12-24.

Tokina also do a 11-16 f2.8, and I suspect it's amazing.

But the 12-24 does dof ok...