Asked to do a dog shot for Halloween contest

[Mum2J&M]

Ok, this is weird. But I have a friend who has a french bulldog. I took a picture of him that she liked once and a picture of her kid and my kids that she liked. So now she wants me to take a picture of her dog for a Halloween contest. He'll be dressed up as Yoda. Anyway, she's asked what I thought might make a good background, etc. All I could suggest was a haystack and pumpkin/gourd, scarecrow display someone erected in front of our townhouse. I also have a jack-o-lantern bucket we could fill with dog bones or something. Anyway, I'm getting studio lights tomorrow, but won't have much time to play as my in-laws are arriving from England for a week and a half. I assume she'll need these pictures pretty soon. Can anyone give some suggestions/ideas for this "shoot"? It will be my first. Pretty impressive, eh? Better get my portfolio together now, lol - . Thanks in advance. Oh - and here's a picture of her dog...

[Mum2J&M]

And here's an update - she was thinking of doing some kind of Star Wars scene in the background - like space and stars or something. Maybe Walmart would carry this fabric? Or maybe a blanket or sheets with that on it? Hmmm... interesting project I've got myself into.

[Mum2J&M]

Also, would it be cheating to PP the photo and add-in the background

[In2Photos]

Originally Posted by Mum2J&M

Also, would it be cheating to PP the photo and add-in the background

that depends on the rules.

[Mum2J&M]

Yeah - just sent her an e-mail to see. I have a feeling this contest is more about the dog's costume than the photo showing it.

[Mum2J&M]

Ok, as I'm obviously thinking out loud here responding to my own thread, lol, figure I'll just keep at it. Figure I'll take the dog to a walkway in the woods at a local park where there are vines hanging down and leaves on the ground. I think I can make the forest appear somewhat dark and dreary looking. I'll likely, I assume, have to use fill flash. How do I avoid red eye? I know dogs and babies are killers when it comes to that. And trying to edit it out always looks terrible. Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks.

[suecassidy]

What about having large rocks as the background? Clearly I'm not a star wars fan but I seem to remember seeing a desert in one them with lots of rocks. As for red eye, you are just as likely to get "green eye" when it comes to dogs or sometimes "yellow eye", but as long as it isn't dim or dark where you are, the pupils shouldn't open up too much and it won't be an issue. Just make sure there is lots of ambient light and it won't happen in the first place. It is important when shooting dogs to get light in their eyes because all the expression is in the eyes. If they go black, they are expressionless, so if you have to photoshop out the red eye, or whatever, or if you just don't get catchlights, try to add them in later.

Shooting dogs is a challenge, especially outdoors where there are lots of distractions. It often helps to have the owner on her knees just barely out of the frame, so she can keep Fido relaxed and in place. If the dog is really squirrelly, it is helpful to have a well timed hand on the rump that is removed quickly when you make the noise designed to get Fido's attention. Ask the owner if there is a special word that gets his ears up and gets his attention. Often, "go car" "walk?" "treat?" will have him perk up. Beware of using his name because many dogs will get up and try to come to you when you use it. Sometimes a "meow" will get him to look up. Sometimes whispering will do it cuz he isn't used to that. Sometimes flicking a lighter on will have them stare at the flame (this works great with cats). There is no one thing that will work, but if you have a repetoire of tricks to try, you will find one that will keep him still for that 1/250th you need.

It is also very important when photographing animals to have the owners calm during the shoot. Often, the owners get angry when the animals won't sit, and they use that "tone" in speaking to Fido. The pets pick up on this and it does NOT help. The dog will get stressed and start to pant (he is NOT thirsty, he is stressed) and squirm around. Remind the owner before you start to shoot that no matter what the dog does, the owner must keep his voice calm and soft and just bring the dog back to the position you put him in and that it might have to happen over and over again, but you will get the shot eventually.

Finally, have FUN! It sounds like a blast!

[Mum2J&M]

Thanks for your help!!! I am dreading this. I'm doing it for a friend and am afraid if I don't get a good shot of her pooch, she'll blame me for him not winning the contest. I guess it doesn't help that I think this is a silly idea in the first place. To me it seems kind of mean to dress up the animal in the first place, but to each his/her own. In some ways I wonder if taking the dog out on my own would be a better idea? That way, he wouldn't be overly responsive as I'm not his owner? Geesh, I can't believe I'm even posting this thread, lol.

Originally Posted by suecassidy

What about having large rocks as the background? Clearly I'm not a star wars fan but I seem to remember seeing a desert in one them with lots of rocks. As for red eye, you are just as likely to get "green eye" when it comes to dogs or sometimes "yellow eye", but as long as it isn't dim or dark where you are, the pupils shouldn't open up too much and it won't be an issue. Just make sure there is lots of ambient light and it won't happen in the first place. It is important when shooting dogs to get light in their eyes because all the expression is in the eyes. If they go black, they are expressionless, so if you have to photoshop out the red eye, or whatever, or if you just don't get catchlights, try to add them in later.

Shooting dogs is a challenge, especially outdoors where there are lots of distractions. It often helps to have the owner on her knees just barely out of the frame, so she can keep Fido relaxed and in place. If the dog is really squirrelly, it is helpful to have a well timed hand on the rump that is removed quickly when you make the noise designed to get Fido's attention. Ask the owner if there is a special word that gets his ears up and gets his attention. Often, "go car" "walk?" "treat?" will have him perk up. Beware of using his name because many dogs will get up and try to come to you when you use it. Sometimes a "meow" will get him to look up. Sometimes whispering will do it cuz he isn't used to that. Sometimes flicking a lighter on will have them stare at the flame (this works great with cats). There is no one thing that will work, but if you have a repetoire of tricks to try, you will find one that will keep him still for that 1/250th you need.

It is also very important when photographing animals to have the owners calm during the shoot. Often, the owners get angry when the animals won't sit, and they use that "tone" in speaking to Fido. The pets pick up on this and it does NOT help. The dog will get stressed and start to pant (he is NOT thirsty, he is stressed) and squirm around. Remind the owner before you start to shoot that no matter what the dog does, the owner must keep his voice calm and soft and just bring the dog back to the position you put him in and that it might have to happen over and over again, but you will get the shot eventually.

Finally, have FUN! It sounds like a blast!