How to Take Better Animal Rescue Photos

Have some type of camera., Know that you are more likely, than not, to take a photograph, so prepare for it., Be familiar with your camera's capabilities., Pay attention to where the light is coming from., Look at your photographs, if at all...

17 Steps 1 min read Advanced

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Step 1: Have some type of camera.

    Obviously, you will need something to take the photograph with.

    Although written with digital photography in mind, this will work with any camera.
  2. Step 2: Know that you are more likely

    A large light colored towel can be helpful for many things in photography. , Practice before you need it. , A bad photograph can be quickly improved by changing the angle and, therefore, the light. , An image may look good, 'artistically'

    but it will not help prove a case or help rehome an animal. , A calico cat against a busy background is really difficult to see. , This will increase the flexibility of your camera and the conditions it can shoot in. , It's called 'spray and pray'.

    Shooting at the subject with no real intent and hoping it comes out ok...or thereabouts. , Especially if the goal is adoption, choose or create a photo to show what a wonderful animal it is.

    If it's an active dog, show it moving.

    If it's a particularly beautiful cat, groom it and take a close-up portrait.

    If there was abuse or neglect in the animal's past, and you can tastefully show a before-and-after of its recovery, do so. , With a video, you increase your odds of a good story and good photographs.
  3. Step 3: than not

  4. Step 4: to take a photograph

  5. Step 5: so prepare for it.

  6. Step 6: Be familiar with your camera's capabilities.

  7. Step 7: Pay attention to where the light is coming from.

  8. Step 8: Look at your photographs

  9. Step 9: if at all possible

  10. Step 10: before you leave the animal and lose your opportunity.

  11. Step 11: Pay attention to the background.

  12. Step 12: If using a dSLR

  13. Step 13: make sure you have a lens that has a fairly wide aperture.

  14. Step 14: Take more than one.

  15. Step 15: Tell a story

  16. Step 16: or show the animal's personality.

  17. Step 17: Seriously consider making a video.

Detailed Guide

Obviously, you will need something to take the photograph with.

Although written with digital photography in mind, this will work with any camera.

A large light colored towel can be helpful for many things in photography. , Practice before you need it. , A bad photograph can be quickly improved by changing the angle and, therefore, the light. , An image may look good, 'artistically'

but it will not help prove a case or help rehome an animal. , A calico cat against a busy background is really difficult to see. , This will increase the flexibility of your camera and the conditions it can shoot in. , It's called 'spray and pray'.

Shooting at the subject with no real intent and hoping it comes out ok...or thereabouts. , Especially if the goal is adoption, choose or create a photo to show what a wonderful animal it is.

If it's an active dog, show it moving.

If it's a particularly beautiful cat, groom it and take a close-up portrait.

If there was abuse or neglect in the animal's past, and you can tastefully show a before-and-after of its recovery, do so. , With a video, you increase your odds of a good story and good photographs.

About the Author

S

Samuel Griffin

Writer and educator with a focus on practical crafts knowledge.

81 articles
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