3.2: Pets & Wildlife

Digital Photography

Mrs. Strite

with

3.2

Pet & Wildlife Photography

If you could have ANY pet what pet would you add to your family?

Agenda

Answer in chat.

• Reminders & Review

• Resources
• Pet Photography
• Wildlife Photography

Mrs. Strite would adopt a fox or raccoon.

THIS WEEK

REmember

• Resources are posted on the Home page Announcements!

• Ask for a reset or retake if you didn't get the grade you wanted!

• Need Help?

Book a Time

Check out these Assignment Examples

- Mrs. Strite

11/5

3.6: PORTRAIT Photography Assignment

Unit 3 Assignments

11/21

3.12: PRODUCT Photography Assignment

11/10

3.7: EXTRA CREDIT ACTIVITIES

• Abstract Photography
• Forced Perspective

OPTION to complete extra credit activities instead of 1 or both assignments!

3.6: Assignment

Remember that Pet & Wildlife photography will be an option in the 3.6 assignment!

REview 3.1

• Candid portrait photography captures people in natural, unposed moments, often without their awareness.
• This style reveals genuine expressions and emotions, creating intimate, authentic images.

• Formal portrait photography is a style that involves carefully posed subjects, controlled lighting, and often a studio setting.
• It emphasizes clarity, composition, and professionalism, aiming to present the subject in a polished and intentional way.

Learner's can:

Vocab:

• Identify photography equipment, light direction, and angles used in pet and wildlife photography
• Recognize tips for photographing pets and wildlife
• Identify the camera settings needed for wildlife photography
• Distinguish the various aspects to be considered for pet and wildlife photography
• Identify precautionary measures to be observed while capturing wildlife photo

• pet photography
• wildlife photography
• perspective
• monopod

Photographing Pets & Wildlife

3.2

Photo Finish!

Ami Vitale

Ami Vitale is a freelance wildlife photographer. She takes pictures of animals in the wild with the hope of selling them, or she contracts with organizations, such as National Geographic, that hire her on a project basis. Traveling to nearly 100 countries, she has photographed and documented wildlife throughout her long career.

Pet Photography

Pet photography is also a growing part of the pet industry. Many people enjoy sharing pictures of their pets and even hire professional photographers to capture their pets’ unique personalities. This trend reflects the strong emotional bond between people and their animals, and the desire to preserve those memories through meaningful photos.

Meow

Meow

As any photographer who captures images of animals—wild or domestic—would tell you, photographing animals can be challenging. .

This is my Blue Heeler Roxy!

What type of portrait photography do you think pet and wildlife photography falls under: formal or candid?

WOOF

WOOF

👉 Answer in chat with a Zoom reaction.

HINT

👉 React with a:

• ❤️ for candid photography
• 👍 for formal photography

Pet Photography

Recall from our last lesson that candid photography captures natural, unposed moments—often without the subject's knowledge—so the images feel genuine and emotional. These photos show people or animals just being themselves. Pet photography is a type of candid photography because animals move naturally and unpredictably, making it hard to pose them like people. Instead of staged shots, photographers capture everyday moments—like a dog playing or a cat lounging—that show personality and emotion.

meow!

Even though photographing animals can be challenging because they can be unpredictable and fast. However, if you have the patience and know the right tips and tricks, you can capture their essence capture everyday moments—like a dog playing or a cat lounging—that show personality and emotion.

Elke Vogelsang

Makes sure the pet is the star in her images!

Elke Vogelsang

Notice that her backgrounds are one color to keep the focus on the pets.

Let's see how Elke captures her fun, expressive (kind of) staged images of pets.

ElkeVogelsang

Tips for Pet Photography

You may enjoy taking and sharing your pets' pictures every time they do something cute. But sometimes, you may not have access to a camera at that moment, or your pets may stop doing what they are doing.

Use Natural Light

Control the Background

Comfort Zone

Different Angles

Find the Focus

Equipment for Pet Photography

Great photographers produce great images. They create and do not just observe. They imagine and plan what they want to create and take steps to make that image a reality. Photographers often need specific, sometimes expensive, gear to make the shot inspire them.

Camera settings

Great pet photographs feature the animal in action—running, playing with toys, and jumping.

• To capture such active shots, cameras that are lightweight and easy to handle are better.
• A fast shutter speed like 1/2000 is good for photographing pets in action!

Phone Cameras

Phone cameras can take amazing photos and are always handy for capturing special moments.

• Portrait mode blurs backgrounds, highlighting the subject.
• Mobile cameras offer various lenses for creative photography, akin to DSLR lenses.

Wildlife Photography

Wildlife photography captures animals in their natural habitats. It requires patience, often waiting hours for the perfect shot in the right light. Like pet photography, the aim is to showcase the animal's essence in its environment.

Young Wildlife Photographer

06/10/18

06/10/18

Wildlife Photography

Wildlife photography is unique due to its challenging conditions and the photographer's patience. Vincent Munier, spent weeks in the cold mountains of Tibet, focusing on lesser-known areas to find the elusive snow leopard, an endangered species with fewer than 4,000 left in the wild. It took Munier three trips to spot a snow leopard. He captured a mother with her two cubs but was worried she might attack him. Eventually, he stood up to show he wasn't prey. See his captured image on the right.

Find the 4 Snow Leopard...

Click on the screen

Find the Snow Leopard...

NEVER approach wild animals, as they are unpredictable and protective of their territory and young ones. A photograph is not worth risking your safety or the safety of others.

Dress for the Surroundings

Wildlife photographers may need to stay in one area for a while.

• Once they have found a spot, they need to get comfortable, as it may be a while until they spot the animal.

• It is advisable to bring cushions and blankets or other things to kneel or sit on.

• Good hiking boots, hats, and gloves are necessary attire for the wilderness.

Study the Subject

Wildlife photographers invest time studying species for better shots. Understanding the animal and observing its behaviors leads to being able to take better photographs of the animal.

Plan the Composition

Wild animals won't follow directions, but photographers should plan their shots.

• Plan framing and shooting angles.
• Be patient for animal cooperation.
• Use a telephoto lens from a low angle to capture more scenery.
• Pay attention to the background, as it can enhance the story of the image.

Have Patience

Photographers may end up waiting a lot in this branch of photography.

• Usually, the best shots are taken by noticing the habits of particular kinds of animals.

• Returning to a specific location during a particular time of day can be helpful.

• Plan the shot, get comfortable, and wait patiently!

Telephoto Lens

Telephoto lenses are important for wildlife photography because they allow photographers to be a safe distance away from the animal while still making the animal appear close in the image.

Tripods & Monopods

Taking a good wildlife photograph can be tiring, especially when shooting with a telephoto lens. One must continuously track an animal until the perfect moment arrives to capture the shot.

Precautionary Measures for Wildlife Photography

Wild animals are unpredictable, so precautionary measures should be followed while going on a wildlife shoot.

Research the Area of the Shoot

• Research the area where you want to perform the shoot.
• Find out what wildlife you can capture there.
• Know about the behaviors of the animals you will shoot before heading out for the shoot.

Be Careful & Stay Safe

• Keep a safe distance from wild animals while scouting or shooting.
• Avoid direct eye contact as it can be intimidating.
• Stay in your vehicle during a safari unless instructed otherwise, as animals may not be accustomed to humans.
• Always stick to your planned path and inform others of your location.

Be Prepared

• Always carry a basic survival kit with you—scissors, a matchbox, food packets, juice, and a first aid kit.
• Never drop any litter; bring your garbage back home to throw it away.
• Always check the weather forecast before exploring wildlife. At times, nature can be challenging, and one needs to find the best time to explore it effectively.

Try to Blend In

Avoid wearing bright-colored clothing, as it will attract wildlife. Try to wear clothes that are camouflaged with nature. Keep quiet while exploring. Animals can get distracted by voices and run away. Move slowly and steadily. Do not move quickly towards an animal. Keep your movements small.

Manual Mode

Manual mode lets photographers control ISO, shutter speed, and aperture. It helps in low light where automatic cameras fail.

• You can set the shutter speed and aperture for ideal exposure.

• When the camera struggles with exposure in tricky situations, manual mode is useful.

Shutter Speed

A FAST shutter speed helps freeze a moving animal.

• If an animal is involved in quick actions and you intend to freeze the action, use a faster shutter speed like 1/2000.
• If you want to be creative and emphasize the motion of the subject, use a slower shutter speed.

Aperture

Play with aperture to change the depth of field of the scene.

• Keep the f-number smaller to blur the background and bring focus to the animal.
• Use larger f-numbers if you want the entire scene in focus to showcase the environment where the animal is in.

ISO

Adjust the ISO in low light situations. Increase ISO if aperture and shutter speed aren't enough for dark scenes. It can also add creative noise, giving images a vintage feel with some editing.

Burst Mode

Burst mode produces rapid clicking sounds as the shutter opens repeatedly. High-end cameras can shoot 10+ frames per second. It's great for capturing fast-moving subjects like leopards or birds. You can take multiple images in quick succession. Burst mode helps capture sharp images without missing action.

Focus Lock

Focus lock is a feature on some cameras that lets the camera take over the focus. The camera's AI (artificial intelligence) will determine what is moving, focus on the subject, and change focus when the subject moves. The newest cameras have sophisticated computer chips that can quickly process this information.

Lighting

Photography relies on light, especially during the "golden hour," which is 30 minutes before and after sunrise or sunset. This light creates warmer photos with softer shadows, allowing for creative wildlife shots from various angles.

👉 ANSWER with a Zoom Reaction Effect!

Which type of photograph recommends that you wear camouflage clothing?

👉 React with an effect:

• 🎈 for Pet Photography
• 🎉 for Wildlife Photography

👉 ANSWER with a Zoom Reaction Effect!

Which type of photograph allows you to easily control the background of a scene?

👉 React with an effect:

• 🎈 for Pet Photography
• 🎉 for Wildlife Photography

👉 ANSWER with a Zoom Reaction Effect!

Which type of photograph should you avoid close encounters with animals and not look them in the eyes?

👉 React with an effect:

• 🎈 for Pet Photography
• 🎉 for Wildlife Photography

06/10/18

Take away Tips

• Experiments with different angles & perspectives.

• Control the background to keep the focus on the animal.

• Use natural light when possible & AVOID using flash while taking images of any animal

• Use a FAST Shutter Speed like 1/2000 when photographing a moving aninmal.

• Make sure pets are in a comfortable environment when taking their photo.

Summary 3.2

In today's lesson, you learned:

• How to use photography equipment, light direction, and angles in pet & wildlife photography

• Tips and techniques for pet & wildlife photography

• Camera settings for pet & wildlife photography

• Precautionary measures to be used while capturing wildlife photos

In an upcoming lesson, you will learn about different styles of portrait photography.

THANKS!

Stick around if you have questions.If not have an amazing reset of your day!

Control the Background

Negative space in the background is essential to making your pet stand out.

• A plain background works best to highlight the subject in the foreground.

• Use a shallow depth of field or the portrait mode on your cellphone to blur the background.

Find Their Comfort Zone: Pets will be most comfortable in their home environment. If you are shooting for clients, start taking pictures inside their homes. Photograph the pet with or around familiar people.

Use Natural Light

Use natural light whenever possible.

• A window in a well-lit room is a great light source.

• Avoid placing the subject in direct sunlight.

• Avoid using a camera flash. It can startle an animal, and the flash will often result in red eyes.

Change Your Perspective:

Shoot from different angles. A low angle portrays dominance, while a high angle suggests vulnerability. For everyday scenes, capture images at animals' eye level.

Use Natural Light:Use natural light whenever possible. A window in a well-lit room is a great light source. Avoid placing the subject in direct sunlight. A camera flash can startle an animal, and the flash will often result in red eyes.

Control the Background: Negative space in the background is essential to making the subject stand out. A plain background works best to highlight the subject in the foreground. The subject needs to be in the positive space.

3.6 Assignment

Capturing Expression, Experience, & Culture

This assignment focuses on portrait photography. You will be able to select from 4 different options.

• Focus on capturing expressions & emotions
• Focus on capturing experiences
• Focus on capturing aspects of culture or heritage
• Focus on capturing candid images of pets or wildlife

Change Your Perspective

Try approaching the shot from different perspectives. You can experiment with shooting from low or high angles.

• A low angle makes your subject appear powerful and dominant.

• A high angle can make them look smaller or vulnerable.

• For a more natural perspective or to create an emotional connection, try photographing animals at their eye level.

3.12 Assignment

Product Photography

This assignment focuses you capturing photos of products or services using product photography techniques.

Notice the active space to the right of the dog!Active space is negative space that the the subject is moving into or looking towards

Find the Focus

Focus on pets with long noses. Decide if you want to emphasize the eyes or the nose.

• For both to be in focus, use a higher aperture (f/5 to f/11) on a DSLR.
• On a mobile camera, tap the desired focus area on the screen before taking the photo.

Find the Focus

Focus on pets with long noses. Decide if you want to emphasize the eyes or the nose.

• For both to be in focus, use a higher aperture (f/5 to f/11) to keep everything in focus
• On a mobile camera, tap the desired focus area on the screen before taking the photo.

Find Their Comfort Zone

Pets will be most comfortable in their home environment.

• If you are shooting for clients, start taking pictures inside their homes.

• Photograph the pet with or around familiar people.

To lock the focus on an iPhone camera, you can:

• Open the Camera app
• Tap the screen to show the focus area
• Touch and hold the focus area until you see AE/AF Lock
• To unlock the focus, tap the screen again.
• You can also adjust the exposure by dragging up or down next to the focus area

It's a type of Portrait Photography.