How to take a perfect tailshot
We love to create memories and pictures speak a thousand words. Here’s how to capture your pooches at the right time, right angle and right pose.
Anamit Sen
Clicking your pooch is an art. It is difficult to keep these furs of energy still to take a perfect shot. Last issue, pet photographers, Parul Sardesai, Sonam Gandhi and Eshita Prasanna, shared the tips to perfect tailshot. These included: use of natural lighting, capturing the eyes, shooting while pets are in motion, bringing surprise element, etc.
Studio vs. outdoor shots…
Parul Sardesai says, “Studio shoots are good, one can get good portrait shots. Make use of props around them. Also being a studio there are less distractions and noise for the pets and they respond to your commands well and you can make them stay in one position for a little longer too or get them by surprise. Whereas outdoor shots are better to get the candid shots, get them in action. I can also include the pet parents with the pet. Show the bond they share between them. And of course, you worwith natural light. Eshita Prasanna shares, “I like photographing pets usually where they belong. One can capture amazing shots indoors as you can get comfortable with the pet and also manage to get plenty of candid shots of him in and around the house. I also do a few shots outside the house, a little outdoors and a get some action shots and enjoy the excitement of the pet. They are always happy and excited when they are out.”
Essential equipments…
Of course, a DSLR camera delivers the best of shots. But the vital requirement, according to pet photographer Anamit Sen, is the ‘composition of the frame’. “Whether you click using a DSLR camera or a mobile phone, two most important things in pet photography are: abundant light and background, which make a perfect composition of the frame,” he explains. According to Anamit, while shooting a pet one must wisely control ‘F-Stops’ in which ‘aperture scales’ in lenses should maintain as per the availability of light. He suggests a range of apertures starting from f/1.2 (widest) to f/1.8 to shoot pets who hardly pose like humans.
In addition to equipments, Anamit says it’s extremely essential to develop a bond of friendship or understanding with the pet before the shooting session. “I always take half an hour time to play with the pets whom I have to shoot before the sessions,” shares Anamit adding, “I introduce all my equipments – cameras, lenses, pods, etc – letting them sniff to know these are just accessories, not harmful weapons or dangerous items.”
(With inputs from Parul Sardeshai, PDS Photography, Mumbai; Eshita Prasanna, founder, Tailshots, Chennai; Anamit Sen, freelance photographer, Gurgaon; and Fabio Barralé, Mascotes – Pet & Family Photography, Portugal).