Photographing Black dogs (and cats)

[JediRach]

I have two black dogs and I cannot seem to get a good picture of them. Does anyone have an tips to help me capture a good crisp image of my dogs?

[Ricardo222]

Originally Posted by JediRach

I have two black dogs and I cannot seem to get a good picture of them. Does anyone have an tips to help me capture a good crisp image of my dogs?

Tricky!

My first suggestion is to not photograph them with a very light (contrasting) background, as the dynamic range becomes too great for the sensor to easily handle. I know there are ways around that, but lets keep it as simple as possible.

I have a black dog and have found that I often have the same trouble you have, but the successes tend to be when the contrast range is not too high. Also, of course, when the light is falling on even a black dog in the right direction the coat takes on some texture.

I could post some pics if you don't mind me posting them on your thread.

[Ricardo222]

Of course, I forgot to say, that you need to keep the exposure on the generous side. In normal light conditions the automatic or Av settings will under expose anything black. Then of course you have to be careful not to blow out the rest of the picture!

[JediRach]

Originally Posted by Ricardo222

Tricky!

I could post some pics if you don't mind me posting them on your thread.

Feel free. I will try to find some I have taken of my dogs for CC//help.

[JediRach]

This is pretty much the best one I have.

[Ricardo222]

Originally Posted by JediRach

Feel free. I will try to find some I have taken of my dogs for CC//help.

One shot is a high contrast situation with one dog mostly black with no detail...other dog has sufficient light reflecting off his coat to give some texture.

Other shot was made in shadow with much less contrast range and shows good detail. (Somewhat disgruntled dog, though, by her expression!)

[Ricardo222]

Originally Posted by JediRach

This is pretty much the best one I have.

Cute dog! Have you tried "shadows and highlights" in the 'Image/adjustments' menus? If not over-done it can help.

Also, are you shooting in raw? You will have more to work with in correcting contrast if you do.

If you're grabbing quick shots then it can be tricky to deal with the contrast, but in that shot a reflecter would have made a big difference in throwing some detail into the shadow and the right eye...but it can be distracting for the dog!

[bfleck51]

as you can see here..even when you get the correct exposure for the face you loose your backround...whites are easy to shoot its black thats the tuff one!

[dnauer]

Had a challenge photographing my agility instructor's Belgian Sheepdog, but used my 40D and a 200mm f2.8L on a bright day and came up with this:

[KatManDEW]

I'm familiar with your problem. I have two black cats, and one black and white cat. As bad is black is, black and white is even worse. If I get some detail in her black fur, her white fur is blown out. If I get detail in here white fur, her black fur is a black blob.

To make matters worse, my cats are indoor cats, so I can't get pics of them in full daylight, and it seems to me that good lighting is the key. I have to resort to flash.

[windpig]

With shooting black objects the detail is from direct reflection not diffused reflection. Increasing exposure will only turn the black (actually dark brown) fur gray. Look at the picture of the dog in post #4, if another light to camera left was set up the same as the light to camera right, the two combined would have given an even exposure if that is what was wanted. Great pic BTW.

[Crystal W Photography]

Use a gray card.
The camera only sees 18% gray. Which is why, whites (snow) and blacks do not come out white and black, it's comes out grey.
Focus the camera on the gray card, remove card and shoot your subject.

[njcfm]

it is even harder when your other dog is a light color..

[windpig]

njcfm
Nice pics, cute dogs.
the second shot makes my point about reflection on the fir bringing out the detail.
the exposure in the second is good, it doesn't matter what the color of the other dog is, exposure is what it is.

[njcfm]

Originally Posted by windpig

njcfm
Nice pics, cute dogs.
the second shot makes my point about reflection on the fir bringing out the detail.
the exposure in the second is good, it doesn't matter what the color of the other dog is, exposure is what it is.

yes, there was alot of light in the 2nd pic.. the first was mid-day sun..

however the differences in their colors and their sizes makes pictures of both of them difficult, higher f-stops, fast shutter speeds, and luck are required for pics of my pups.

depending on your dogs coat, light reflection can/will help