If your pet photos tend to be a blur of fur, follow these easy tips to take more effective photos of your pets...

Taking Effective Photos of Your Pets

by Jane Lake

Before your photo session, give your pet a quick makeover. Clean the ears and eyes of dogs or cats, removing any foreign particles, and groom your pet's coat to remove loose hair and make the coat shine. Clean the cages of small animals such as birds, hamsters or mice. Wipe down the exterior glass of fish tanks to remove fingerprints or smears.

If possible, have a friend handle your animal while you focus the camera. Your friend can attract your pet's attention and encourage some effective poses.

Simple backgrounds in colors that complement rather than compete with your pet are best.

For great facial shots, you need to be on the same level as your pet's face. Either place your pet on a table or kneel down to shoot the camera from the animal's eye level.

Consult your camera's manual for instruction on close-up poses or action shots. Some cameras will not focus well if you are too close but correct adjustment of the lens setting will ensure the best possible picture.

Red eye occurs when the light from the flash reflects on the back of the eye. Avoid this by taking the photo when your dog or cat is not looking directly at the camera - or take the photos outdoors, where a flash is not required. If you get a great shot that is otherwise spoiled by red eye, try removing it from the picture with photo computer software. The image manipulation software that comes with most digital cameras works well for this.

Consider using photo software to add frames or special effects to your best pet photos.

Finally, remember that professionals take lots of photos to get the one shot that they are looking for - with a digital camera, you can afford to take this approach too! Simply keep trying until you get the photos you want, and erase those that didn't work.