Help with pet photography

<p>Hi all, I am trying to get some nice shots of my niece's pet pug for her birthday.<br>

Right now I have a Canon EOS Rebel T4i with a 50mm f1.8 prime lens, a 55-250 mm lens and of course the 18-55mm kit lens.<br>

I haven't had a chance to try out the new prime with her yet but was having trouble getting the shots I wanted with my other 2 lenses. The main problem was trying to focus quickly on a little naughty pug.<br>

I got her to sit and stay fine, but of course she keeps twitching and looking all round the room. I kept switching between manual focus and auto trying to keep up and was just getting very frustrated.<br>

Any advice on lens choice as well as tips on focusing faster to get those quick shots?<br>

Thanks!<br>

~Laura</p>

Autofocus, definitely. Use your 50mm 1.8 since it's the fastest of the three lenses. If you have a Canon speedlight, you could set it up off

camera with a reflector opposite and use the flash to freeze motion, or alternatively, open up your aperture to let in more light so that your

shutter speed is faster. Shoot outdoors if you can, since indoor light will be less bright. All of this is assuming you know how to use your

camera in manual mode or aperture priority while setting up a correct exposure.

Try distraction rather than technology. Most dogs have certain phrases they pay very detailed attention to when they hear them. My dog,

for example, will maintain perfect focus for a while (with a cute head tilt) after any sentence including "wanna go." Getting the dog still is

better than any technology solution. But autofocus, yes.

<p>What color is the pug? Is the problem that the camera is having trouble auto-focusing before the pug moves? Or that you get motion blur? Or that you can't capture the expression you want?<br /><br /><br /><br /></p>

<p>Try making the dog tired by letting her play, which slows them down. As Joshua said they will respond to certain noises. If you can you may want to take her to a place with only you and the dog. I would use back button focus so that you can snap the picture right away. At the very least us Servo mode on auto focus rather than one shot. Use a higher aperture (f8) outdoors, this would make focusing not as critical. Most important is patience. You may have to shoot 20-30 shoots to get 1-2 good ones.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>"The main problem was trying to focus quickly on a little naughty pug."</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Have a close look at the images and the technical specs of them. <br>

IF you are using available light (and I think that you might be) then my guess is that is probably not the <strong><em>main</em></strong> problem: but the problem is rather that you have an <strong>accumulation of problems.</strong><br>

My next guess is these problems are predicated upon: <br>

> too slow a shutter speed, which is rendering SUBJECT MOVEMENT;<br>

> too large an aperture which is rendering too SHALLOW DEPTH of FIELD;<br>

> too close framing which also is rendering too SHALLOW DEPTH of FIELD.<br>

I suggest that your use (Bounce) FLASH, a middle aperture (F/8~11) and frame loose and crop in post-production.<br>

IF you are already using Flash, then it is likely that it is still an accumulation of the two issues above relating to DoF.</p>

<p>In summary, though it is possible, I doubt that it is the lack of AF speed that is the cause of the issues that are presenting: though if you are in low light and pug has no contrast edges then AF could be difficult. </p>

<p>Posting a sample image that displays the issues and also posting the technical specifications (EXIF DETAILS) of that image would assist in a detailed analysis.</p>

<p>WW <br>

</p>

<p>[[Posting a sample image that displays the issues and also posting the technical specifications (EXIF DETAILS) of that image would assist in a detailed analysis.]]</p>

<p>This. </p>

<p>My daughter and son-in-law have two pugs (actually one passed away recently, it was heartbreaking). I've never had a problem with autofocus with them. Outside I would use the 55-250 IS. Inside I agree with the poster who recommended bounce flash. Direct flash will give you those dreaded headlight eyes. When shooting without flash it will be difficult to get high enough shutter speeds. If you shoot at f/1.8 you will get very narrow depth-of-field.</p>

<p>When shooting any animal it helps to know its habits and behavior patterns. It will help you to anticipate the animal's moves.</p>

<p>Hi Laura I shoot pet photography a fair bit and believe me it can be a very frustrating way to make a living lol! A camera and lens combination with the ability to focus and track a subject would be ideal for taking photos of pets, but amazing images can still be achieved without this. All I will say is it will come down to perseverance and patience. Putting your camera into AI servo to will help as well as trying to shoot were there is as much light as possible to keep your shutter speeds up at something reasonable. </p><div></div>

<p>Dug a couple more out I have put them in my portfolio on here. All shot with the noisy as hell 50mm 1.8! lol</p>

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