How to Photograph Dogs Around Water by Lauren Bonvini
Dogs love playing in a pool or the sea - this is when their true character shines through!
Get down on their level and talk calmly; this will help them relax. Additionally, scout the area before shooting for any litter or protruding branches that could prevent you from shooting successfully.
Play with various angles of light directly in front, to the side, or overhead to create various effects such as haze and flare.
Lighting
According to Lauren Bonvini, utilizing natural lighting as much as possible is always beneficial when taking portraits. Although bright sunny days can pose contrast issues, such as crazy shadows or overexposed highlights, if you note where the sun is coming from and position yourself accordingly, you can create some truly breathtaking portraits.
A Circular Polarizing Filter (CPL) can be invaluable when photographing pets around water. Simply slip this filter over your lens, twist it, and remove polarized light from surfaces like rocks, glass, or water for clearer images that stand out against their background.
One key lighting tip is using reflectors when necessary - whether for filling flash, adding light to a subject, or evening out dark scenes- they can make all the difference to your photographs.
Prioritize the comfort level of your pet during a photo session. Our four-legged companions are very sensitive to our emotions and can react accordingly if they sense any anxiety or upset; try being playful, cheerful, and confident during a shoot so they feel at ease; this will show in their images, too.
Always capture a variety of action shots and more relaxed portraits, too. Aim to shoot in short bursts - many dogs can become disinterested after spending too much time at one location or pose.
Camera Settings
Lauren Bonvini illustrates that photography of dogs around water requires more than just lighting; you must also ensure your camera settings are adjusted appropriately. To capture fast action shots, a quick shutter speed to freeze motion and an aperture setting that provides a depth of field are key - an added plus is using lenses designed specifically for underwater dog photography, like close-focus wide angle (CFWA) lenses.
Polarizing filters are essential in creating stunning dog waterfall photos, and Lauren Bonvini strongly suggests investing in one from K&F Concept for easy use and outstanding image quality. Simply twist one onto your lens front to remove polarized light glare from surfaces such as rocks, water, metal, and glass - I especially recommend magnetic filters from them due to their ease of use and superior image quality!
Your ISO should remain as low as possible if shooting under bright conditions; however, in low light, you may need to increase it slightly to get exposure with fast shutter speed and perfect aperture. Just be careful not to exceed recommended levels, as overdoing it will introduce digital noise into your photographs.
Finally, use burst mode to capture multiple photos quickly when holding down the shutter - this way, you can capture the perfect photo of your fuzzy friend!
Strobes
Strobes can be an invaluable aid when photographing animals, enabling you to alter the burst of light that your camera fires by either angling or diffusing it - this allows for softened light that alters direction more flatteringly and provides more control of white balance, setting it before shooting saves post-processing time!
One key thing to remember when photographing pets is getting down on their level. This tip applies to any photography session but is particularly important when photographing pets, as it will make them feel more at ease and produce more striking images.
Lauren Bonvini elucidates that pets tend to have short attention spans, making it essential to engage them quickly with your shots as soon as possible. Offering treats or playing their favorite game are great ways to do this, or taking them on a quick walk can do the trick and take them somewhere familiar, which can help them relax more easily.
Be prepared for any accidents during your shoot. Pets tend to shed when stressed, which can be painful to clean up after. So be sure to bring plenty of cleaning supplies in case of an incident.
Filters
If you plan on shooting dog photography around water (such as lakes or waterfalls), it is wise to have a circular polarizer filter handy. Attaching to the front of your lens, they allow for the removal of polarized light from scenes for soft side lighting with clear details, resulting in more appealing images when the sun is lower in the sky, such as early morning or late afternoon photography sessions.
If your subject is moving quickly, having a fast shutter speed for action shots can help ensure crisp photos that tell their own unique stories. By freezing their movements without blurriness, shutter speeds high enough to freeze each second will help make crisper pictures that capture every aspect of that meaningful experience.
Holding still can be challenging with dogs, so preparing some signature poses will help the process go more smoothly. These may include half-face shots, "zen" dogs (with eyes closed), and ones who look down towards their paws.
Lauren Bonvini highlights ensuring your pup remains safe during an outdoor portrait session by being aware of bacteria in any water sources they enter, just as humans should. Canine parasites and illnesses can easily enter drinking supplies via animal waste entering water supplies.
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