New Puppy Question

[cbknight]

Have our new family member coming home tonight. She is a 7 week old English bulldog. Of course I cant wait to photograph her. Have big plans that we haven't discussed yet. But Was wondering....

What about flash on a puppy? Dangerous to her eyes?

[Todd Lambert]

I'd refrain from putting it straight on and towards her face. It should be fine if you bounce.

[cbknight]

Thanks Todd...Will do just that. Diffuse and Bounce.

[Meanderthal]

Take it one step at a time. Let the puppy get used to the surroundings and you first. Then leave the camera to be sniffed. Then hold the camera without taking pictures, 'till puppy gets bored. Then let puppy get used to the sound on the shutter, without being the target. Then hold the camera to your face a few times, without taking a picture. Then take picture of puppy without flash. Then fire flash away from puppy. If at any point the puppy gets frightened, leave it for a day - aversions are difficult to eradicate. When all is well, use flash on puppy. You'll have a great time. Hugs to puppy.

[cbknight]

Thanks for the advice. Makes sense, will put it into action tomorrow. Took a couple tonight, but bounced the flash. I have cedar walls and vaulted ceilings so that didnt work well. Used a high ISO but would like to bring it down as she gets used to the flash

[Meanderthal]

None of our dogs over the years, when puppies, were bothered by the flash, the credit going to the breeder's socialization training. Others I hear are very sensitive. Sounds like you have a well adjusted puppy, congratulations. Re the walls and ceilings, we have the same problem. Having experimented with a gray card and RAW, I have concluded that for me using multiple light sources, flash + incandescent + natural, leaves exceedingly difficult PP work. Impossible, actually. But then the "work" is for personal use only, so why worry?

[Imeddy]

awe. puppy breath. gotta love it.

Too bad you can't make a scratch n sniff picture with puppy breath.

[leonk]

awe. puppy breath. gotta love it.

Too bad you can't make a scratch n sniff picture with puppy breath.

I don't know about that one .. my little guys breath was the WORST when he was a pup .. smelled like an open sewer!

[cdpits]

Congrats on your new addition! Over the years I have found the outdoor shots of pups playing to be most rewarding. Weather permitting, have a whole variety of toys to peek her interest, a helper to play with her and snap away! I love the contrast of dogs/pups in natural surroundings.