People and pets are one of the most challenging subjects to take and yet these pictures command the most interest. This article will help you take better pictures of people and pets no matter what your skill level. Taking Better People Pictures The best pictures of people portray their personalities. While a snapshot captures a true likeness, often times the picture doesn't portray the person's usual expressions and people end us saying that the " picture doesn't look like me." The solution to this problem is simple: After setting up your photo shoot, spend a little time chatting with the subject, camera ready. When you see their characteristic smile or look, start shooting. A few technical tips: - Remember that Portrait mode tends to distort the subject and makes the person look wider or younger. Depending on the age of the subject, the latter might be appreciated, but normally you would avoid this distortion by zooming. Stand close enough that the subject fills the frame of your viewfinder then take a step back and zoom until to fill the frame again and take the photo. - Use natural light when possible. If using indoor lighting, opt for lamps with full spectrum bulbs. Low ceiling light often creates bad shadows. - Shoot in high resolution so that you can make nice, large prints of the best, then display them in picture frames to hang on your walls and give as gifts. Taking Better Pet Pictures The first rule of thumb for taking pet pictures is: Set your camera to a high shutter speed or the Sports mode! If your camera has a Burst mode this will be super helpful for pets in constant motion because it will give you lots of photos to chose from. Sometimes instead of using the higher shutter speed to freeze the action, you might want to blur to emphasize a crazy movement, like your dog chasing its tail. In this case, use Portrait mode for a slower shutter speed. As with people, and even more so, natural light is best, not just because the photos will come out better, but because flash can upset animals. If you must use flash, always protect your pets' eyes from the flash by following your camera's safe distance recommendations (usually staying a minimum of 4 feet away). If your pet is light colored, a bright overcast sky will highlight their their fur the best; conversely if your pet has a dark coat, direct sunlight will bring out the richness of color. If photographing in bright sunlight, use the same times of day you would with people, when the sun is lower rather than higher in the sky. To get really good candid shots of your pet, plan your photo shoot for when you have lots of time to follow your pet around, camera ready. Using zoom will allow you to get good shots without being so close your pet is more interested in the camera then just being itself giving. So if you can, keep your distance and use the zoom (optical zoom is best). Finally as with people, focus on the eyes. Get down to the height of your pet. By using these tips for how to take better people and pet pictures you'll have what you need to capture some fantastic photos. Have fun shooting and don't forget to frame your favorite photos!
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