The Nature of Dog

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I donââât consider myself a photographer, how could I with less than a year of experience? I take pictures of what I love. I love my dogs, and I want that love to show in my photographs.

What makes a good dog picture? Good dog photography isnââât just about creating a lovely portrait. Itâââs not difficult to get down to his level and fill the frame with a sharply focused image of your dog. What makes a dog photo good is ultimately capturing the nature of the dog. Whether heâââs a couch potato or a gun dog, a manic Border Collie or a dolorous Bulldog, your pup has a personality all his own. Catch those qualities and you have a photo to treasure and proudly show all your dog-allergic friends.

You might assume that training the dog to stand still, tilt his head, or perform some trick on command would lead to great shots. But posed shots only give you an overly composed portrait that says nothing about your dog. They donââât really capture your dog's elusive personality.

Instead of training the dog, I like to think the dog can teach an old photographer some new tricks. My dogs have taught me patience, persistence, insight, and the habit of taking a gazillion shots. Spend some time observing your dog and, if you hadnââât noticed before, youâââll soon see him doing the things that make him an individual. He might have some characteristics that are common to his breed, but heâââll also offer you glimpses into his unique personality.

Knowing a little about how your dog thinks and plays can allow you to anticipate a variety of poses and facial expressions. Whether heâââs playing with a ball you toss, or chasing his best friend, youâââll be ready for his antics. At first glance, you might think these two are about to shed blood. I can assure you that these two male poodles are only posturing. I know they are the best of friends, and they play this way all the time. Although they have their mouths wide open and teeth bared, they're giving each other body signals that lower the threat display and encourage play. You donââât need to know what these body signs are to recognize your dog displaying his personality. Your dog might not play with the same intensity as these two, but if you are patient and watch him youâââll see him digging, swimming, running, fetching, even barking. Pictures of him in action will celebrate your dogâââs nature.

Patience and persistence also provides your dog a chance to get used to you being in his space. Dogs are rarely camera shy; in fact, the first time you get down on the floor to take an at-his-level shot you might just find yourself mugged and cleaning nose prints from your lens. The solution to the over-exuberant close-up is to become commonplace.

Become part of your dogâââs play environment and youâââll disappear. When youâââre no longer the novelty, you can count on his short attention span to get him off playing with a toy or with his friends. He'll soon learn to ignore you as you insinuate yourself and your camera into his universe. Some of my best shots come when Iâââm lying on the ground as part of the playground.

Becoming part of your dog's play environment also carries risks, however. If youâââre standing while photographing your dog at play, remember to bend your knees; fifty pounds of dog running full speed can bring you down with a thud! Consider purchasing camera insurance; when it comes to high-impact close-ups with your lens, dogs usually win. I learned those lessons through personal experience.

Last, but in no way least, be prepared to sort through hundreds of shots of your dog's tail or left foot. It takes persistence and practice to learn your cameraâââs shutter delay, and to be able to predict which way your playing canine will twist next. Donââât give up after the first few sessions.

Photography has brought many benefits to my relationship with my dogs. One clearly stands out: I know them better. Looking through the thousands of pictures Iâââve taken, I see them in an entirely new way. Frozen in mid-leap, I become aware of their body signals and expressions. Where before I saw hints, now their desires, their joys, and their disappointments shout in a language I want to learn. I am learning.