Image Guidelines
We’ve all been there, trying to get that great photo of our adorable friends can be nightmare. However don’t worry, a little knowledge can go a long way to achieving that goal. If you are looking for how to film a reference video refer to post: video guidelines
If you already have a few reference photos and want to make sure they will make a great reference photo here is a simple checklist of the things I’m looking for:
Good Lighting – is your picture light enough to see your pet?
Details – are the details on your pet sharp and clear?
Distance – is your pet too far away and hard to see?
Unfiltered – Filters make it hard to see the true coloring of your pet.
Unfit Reference Images
What Makes These Images Unfit?
- No eye contact
- Unable to see fur pattern
- Lack of details
- Can’t see entire face
- Image is very dark
- Not taken at eye level
- Dog is sad (…haha jk)
- Instagram filter
- Poor lighting
Great Reference Images
What Makes These Images Great?
- Raw and unfiltered
- Natural lighting
- Eye contact
- Full head is visible
- Taken at eye level
- Highly detailed
- Highly detailed
- Eye contact & level
- Natural lighting
Tips for Taking a Reference Photo
Having Two People Present
Taking good quality photographs of pets by yourself can be difficult. Getting a person to help you will not only make your task much easier, but will also cut back on possible stress for you and your companion and time spent taking your pictures.
Taking a Photo with Natural Lighting
To get natural lighting take the photo of your pet outdoors or near a window. It is best to not use your cameras flash. The best lighting is outside on a bright but overcast day, with the light source behind you. For indoor photos try to take your picture with the morning sun. Have your back against the window with the pet facing towards you.
Get on your Pets Eye Level
When taking photos it is best to aim to be a eye level with the pet, this will create a more natural position of the subject and their head will not appear distorted. If you have a small pet and you find it difficult to reach ground level with it, simply lift them up onto a table or bench if this is easier.
Be Close to your Pet
I love receiving reference photos from a DSLR, but taking photos from a smart phone is just fine! The biggest thing you can do to improve the quality of the image isn’t getting better equipment, it’s standing closer to your pet.
For the Hard to Sit Still Pets
I know from having my own hyperactive German Shepard is that getting a pet to sit still can be headache. This is what I found that helps:
1. Using treats and toys to hold your pets attention
2. Try pulling the best frame from a video or turn up your shutter speed to take multiple frames per second like a paparazzi.
3. Choose a time when they have just woken or after their walk when their energy levels aren’t so high.
4. If your pet is a dog try putting them on the leash and tying them up to a nearby tree.
If you are still struggling for photographs you are welcome to set up an arrangement where I take your photos (depending on where you live) but if travelling is involved that would be at your expense. contact me to arrange this service.
Not sure whether your images will work?
Image Guidelines
We’ve all been there, trying to get that great photo of our adorable friends can be nightmare. However don’t worry, a little knowledge can go a long way to achieving that goal.
If you already have a few reference photos and want to make sure they will make a great reference photo here is a simple checklist of the things I’m looking for:
Good Lighting – is your picture light enough to see your pet?
Details – are the details on your pet sharp and clear?
Distance – is your pet too far away and hard to see?
Unfiltered – Filters make it hard to see the true coloring of your pet.
Unfit Reference Images
What makes these images unfit?
- No eye contact
- Unable to see fur pattern
- Lack of details
- Can not see cats full face
- Image is very dark
- Not taken at eye level
- Dog is sad (…haha jk)
- Instagram filter
- Red eye photo
Great Reference Images
What makes these images great?
- Raw & unfiltered
- Natural light w/ window
- Eye Contact
- Full face is visible
- Taken at eye level
- Eye Contact
- Highly detailed
- Amazing Lighting
- Highly Detailed
- Eye Contact
- Taken at eye level
Tips for Taking a Reference Photo
Having two people present
Taking good quality photographs of pets by yourself can be difficult. Getting a person to help you will not only make your task much easier, but will also cut back on possible stress for you and your companion and time spent taking your pictures.
Taking a photo with natural lighting
To get natural lighting take the photo of your pet outdoors or near a window. It is best to not use your cameras flash. The best lighting is outside on a bright but overcast day, with the light source behind you. For indoor photos try to take your picture with the morning sun. Have your back against the window with the pet facing towards you.
Get on your pets eye level
When taking photos it is best to aim to be a eye level with the pet, this will create a more natural position of the subject and their head will not appear distorted. If you have a small pet and you find it difficult to reach ground level with it, simply lift it up onto a table or bench if this is easier.
Be close to your pet
I love receiving reference photos from a DSLR, but taking photos from a smart phone is just fine! The biggest thing you can do to improve the quality of the image isn’t getting better equipment, it’s standing closer to your pet.
For the hard to sit still pets:
I know from having my own hyperactive German Shepard is that getting a pet to sit still can be headache. This is what I found that helps:
- Using treats and toys to hold your pets attention
- Try pulling the best frame from a video or turn up your shutter speed to take multiple frames per second like a paparazzi.
- Choose a time when they have just woken or after their walk when their energy levels aren’t so high.
- If your pet is a dog try putting them on the leash and tying them up to a nearby tree.
If you are still struggling for photographs you are welcome to set up an arrangement where I take your photos (depending on where you live) but if travelling is involved that would be at your expense. contact me to arrange this service.
Not sure whether your images will work?
Image Guidelines
We’ve all been there, trying to get that great photo of our adorable friends can be nightmare. However don’t worry, a little knowledge can go a long way to achieving that goal.
If you already have a few reference photos and want to make sure they will make a great reference photo here is a simple checklist of the things I’m looking for:
Good Lighting: Is you picture light enough to see your pet?
Details: Are the details on your pet sharp and clear?
Distance: Is your pet too far and hard to see?
Unfiltered: Filters make it hard to see the true coloring of your pet.
Unfit Reference Images
What Makes This Photo Unfit?
- No eye contact
- Unable to see fur pattern
- Lack of details
What Makes This Photo Unfit?
- Can’t see entire face
- Very dark image
- Not taken at eye level
What Makes This Photo Unfit?
- Dog is sad (…haha jk)
- Instagram filter
- Red eye photo
Great Reference Images
What Makes This Photo Great?
- Raw & unfiltered
- Natural lighting
- Eye contact
What Makes This Photo Great?
- Full head is visible
- Taken at eye level
- Highly detailed
What Makes This Photo Great?
- Highly detailed
- Eye contact and level
- Highly detailed
Tips for Taking Photos
Having two people present
Taking good quality photographs of pets by yourself can be difficult. Getting a person to help you will not only make your task much easier, but will also cut back on possible stress for you and your companion and time spent taking your pictures.
Natural lighting
To get natural lighting take the photo of your pet outdoors or near a window. It is best to not use your cameras flash. The best lighting is outside on a bright but overcast day, with the light source behind you. For indoor photos try to take your picture with the morning sun. Have your back against the window with the pet facing towards you.
Get on your pets eye level
When taking photos it is best to aim to be a eye level with the pet, this will create a more natural position of the subject and their head will not appear distorted. If you have a small pet and you find it difficult to reach ground level with it, simply lift it up onto a table or bench if this is easier.
Be close to your pet
I love receiving reference photos from a DSLR, but taking photos from a smart phone is just fine! The biggest thing you can do to improve the quality of the image isn’t getting better equipment, it’s standing closer to your pet.
For the hard to sit still pets
I know from having my own hyperactive German Shepard is that getting a pet to sit still can be headache. This is what I found that helps:
- Using treats and toys to hold your pets attention
- Try pulling the best frame from a video or turn up your shutter speed to take multiple frames per second like a paparazzi.
- Choose a time when they have just woken or after their walk when their energy levels aren’t so high.
- If your pet is a dog try putting them on the leash and tying them up to a nearby tree.
If you are still struggling for photographs you are welcome to set up an arrangement where I take your photos (depending on where you live) but if travelling is involved that would be at your expense. contact me to arrange this service.