Five Tips for Taking Better Photos of Black Dogs and Cats
Today is National Black Dog Day, which makes it the perfect time to talk about photographing black pets. Studies vary on whether black dogs and cats are adopted less often. One thing is consistent though — they can be more challenging to photograph. Here are five tips to make it easier for you to get great photos of your black, four-legged family members.
Use Soft, Even Light for the Best Results
Avoid photographing black pets in direct overhead sunlight. Your camera will have a hard time reading the bright and dark areas. What usually happens is that your dog is underexposed and is silhouetted (black blobs, anyone?). And the light in the rest of your photo looks pretty good. Instead, place them in evenly shaded, soft-lit area for balanced light. Avoid area with bright patches of light or strong backlighting. Have your dog look toward open sky to add beautiful light to their eyes and help them stand out.
Take Photos on Cloudy Days
Cloudy days create soft, even light that flatters black pets. This lighting makes it much easier for your camera to read the scene accurately. With fewer bright and dark areas, your exposure stays balanced. Your dog and the background will both be well lit.
Shoot During Golden Hours
Photograph black pets during golden hours, about an hour after sunrise and an hour before sunset. The sun is lower in the sky, which is a more flattering angle. Plus the light tends to be softer and warmer, reducing harsh contrast. Have your dogs face the sun to add catchlights and brighten their eyes.
Choose a Background That Helps Your Dogs Stand Out
Pick backgrounds with mid-tone colors to help black pets stand out. Reds, yellows, and lighter to mid-tone greens work very well. Avoid dark backgrounds, as well as areas of heavy shade because your dog will probably blend into the scene.
Avoid very bright backgrounds. They create strong contrast, making it hard for your camera to get the correct exposure. While your dog will pop against these areas, the high contrast is less pleasing. Your eye will go back and forth between your dog and the background. And you want to settle on the star of the photo, your dog!
Use Off-Camera Lighting to Add Extra Detail
If you want even more control, learn to use off-camera lighting. The tips above work well for most situations. But using off-camera lighting really makes black dogs shine (as it were). It adds detail to their fur and helps separate them from the background. I use it for all my sessions, no matter the pet’s color. It fills shadows, defines shape, and gives my photos extra pop.
Ellen Zangla Photography: Pet portraits with personality!
M.Photog., Certified Professional Photographer
Professional Photographers of America: 2018 Bronze Medal Photographer of the Year
My pets, one dog and four cats, are an integral part of my life. I absolutely adore them. Like other family members whom we love, I feel that it is incredibly important to have portraits of them that capture the essence of who they are, whether they’re regal or goofy (or both!) or somewhere in between. If you feel the same way about your dog, cat or other fur or scaled kid, here’s how you can learn more about a pet photoshoot with me works. Or feel free to contact me.
I am a pet photographer, specializing in photographs of pets and pets with their people. I serve all of Northern Virginia, including Loudoun, Fairfax, Leesburg, Ashburn, and Reston, as well the DC Metro area, and I would love to portraits of your pets that reflect how you feel about them and that you will treasure for a lifetime!
