| New Tiles |
Camera & Composition
Generally speaking, a better camera will give a better photograph. The composition of the photograph is as important.
Good quality photos showing plenty of detail will enable Katrina (the
artist) to produce better portraits.
The subject matter should fill the frame - please do not send
photos with your beloved pet in a small corner of the photo. Digital
photographs are fine as long as they fill the frame and show detail.
Developing
While commercial film processing labs generally provide good colour representation of the photograph, sometimes there will
be variations in colour. (Sometimes my winter
photos have a blue tinge!!). Any notes with the photos concerning the
exact colours will be appreciated and again the end portrait will
be better.
Inside or Outside ?
Most photographs are clearer outside Try to take the photos when the
sun is not too bright and try to avoid huge shadows. A photo with one
side of your pet in full sun and the other in deep shadow makes a portrait
very difficult. Some cameras will have tried to compensate for
this situation and the sunny side will be washed out etc. However if
you have a cat the chances are that it will run away if it is outside
so it is a case of common sense.. If you have a black animal (dog, cat)
try to take the photos on a cloudy day.
Getting the animal
to sit still
Very difficult - I know. They won't sit still; they turn their head
at the wrong time and so on. They may need to investigate the camera
and the location they have just been moved to. Taking a photo for a
portrait will take more than 5 minutes.
Take your time and enjoy the experience.
The portrait can be commissioned from multiple photos, so if the animal
is not quite right on one ( ie
ears down) and not quite right on another ( ie
mouth open & tongue hanging out ten feet) we can work from both
photos to produce a better portrait. ( artistic
licence )
Impossible - !!!!
If you experience great difficulty, try getting someone else to take
the photo whilst you distract the animal.
We have never yet failed to find a method to distract a dog or cat.
Red eye reduction works well with animals and provides something to
get their attention as do toys, squeakers and food.
If all else fails contact
us by Email
or telephone us on
We are happy to discuss
any aspect of portrait commissions with you.
