Newsletter – February 2020

February Tip – Clean Your Camera Lens

I know, right? When was the last time you cleaned your camera lens? Such an easy way to improve your photos. Use a handheld lens blower to remove dust. Use a microfibre cloth to remove smudges. Use camera lens cleaning papers for more serious cleaning. Do not use the spray you use to clean your eyeglasses; it can damage camera lenses. Using Kleenex can scratch the lens and a kitchen towel can just make the mess worse. If your lens needs serious cleaning, google the correct way to do it.

Tips for Taking Better Photos of your Pet

We all love our pets and want to capture their unique personalities in our photos. Here are some tips to help you improve the pictures you take of your pets:

  1. Take lots of pictures. Your pet is not likely to hold a pose so take lots of pictures! Sort out the best shots and delete the rest.
  2. Make strange noises or use an app on your phone to get their attention.
  3. Take pictures that capture their personality. Excitable and active? Capture them in motion. Champion snoozer? Get their best side on the couch.
  4. Talk to your pet or make them wait for a toy or treat – you’re more likely to capture some great expressions.
  5. Get some pictures up close.
  6. Take pictures from different angles – up high, ground level, straight on.
  7. Photograph different parts of your pet – take a close up of their snout, ears or paws.
  8. Eliminate distractions in the background. The simpler the background, the more focus on your pet.
  9. Focus on your pet’s eyes.
  10. Keep your photos natural – playing outside or hanging out in their favourite place in the house.
  11. Use natural light instead of the flash whenever you can.
  12. Use a fast shutter speed to capture pets in motion. Also, see if your camera has a continuous focus mode that lets it hold focus on a moving object.
  13. Try using burst mode when your pet is in motion. Find the best shot of the bunch.
  14. For close ups with a blurry background use a wide aperture, get close to your pet and have them as far away from the background as possible.
  15. Let your pet get used to the camera before trying to pose them.
  16. Add some people to your photo, your pet may sit still longer.
  17. Try converting some shots to black & white.
  18. Don’t forge to shoot some video too!
  19. Edit, edit, edit. This is how the pros do it.