There are two schools of thought when it comes to our companion animals: They are either the smartest, funniest, prettiest pet on the planet or they are the scariest-looking thing to walk on all fours since the Jurassic Period (remember the World’s Ugliest Dog contest?). Whether you have a feline with a face worthy of a Fancy Feast® commercial or a homely hound even a mother would have trouble loving, you can expose your pet’s inner beauty…..through the lens of a camera.
But wait, if you’re still taking photos that are out-of-focus or possess the dreaded “red eye,” don’t despair. I recently chatted with Christopher Ameruoso, celebrity pet photographer and editor-in-chief of PawPrint magazine (www.pawprintmag.com). In the following interview, this musician-turned-magazine-mogul shares some of his secrets for creating a magnificent masterpiece of your own pet.
Karen: Which is better: film or digital cameras?
Chris: Digital, definitely. I have total control over my work from start to finish. Anyone who wants to stay with film, I always say, ‘Good luck; I’m happy for you.’ If you learn your craft the right way, you will not see the difference between film and digital. It is amazing what can be done in Photoshop (a software program used to manipulate digital photos).
Karen: What is more versatile – color or black & white photography?
Chris: I always shoot in color. I can then convert the picture to black and white if needed. Shooting in color allows me to control the shades of the image I’m working with.
Karen: Do you prefer to shoot indoors or outdoors?
Chris: Outside, mostly. I love to use the natural light and environment. I think that you have much more of a feel with outside shots and lighting. Shooting inside can get too flat. The best time of day to shoot outdoors is about 10:00 in the morning. I suggest shooting photos with the sun behind the subject (this is called back lighting).
Karen: How long should the photo shoot last?
Chris: When you shoot with a pet, you probably have about 10-15 minutes. Anything after that will be really difficult. Animals can’t sit that long; they get bored. Do it quickly or have a lot of patience.
Karen: How do you keep a dog or cat interested in posing for the camera?
Chris: I have a little squeaky toy that I use. This will only work for about ten shots. After that, you just have to do what it takes to get the animal to look your way. Sometimes it gets very funny. I learned that treats don’t work very well because the pets want to run to them and then they are out of the frame. If all else fails, start barking.
Karen: Any last thoughts?
Chris: I strongly suggest going digital. I have many photographer friends who said they would never stop shooting film. I convinced them to try using digital and now they will never go back to film. Don’t knock it until you try it.
And here’s an important side note: Keep recent photographs of your pets handy in case of emergency. Be sure to take shots of any distinguishing features such as a stubby tail, a torn ear, or any unusual markings on the fur. If your pet is lost or stolen, post a flyer with the photo in your neighborhood, local humane society, or on a Web site such as www.petfinder.com.
SAVE THE DATE! Please join me on Saturday, September 29th at 11:00 am as I moderate the “Pet Prose with a Purpose” panel at the Santa Barbara Book and Author Festival. My panelists are: Christopher Ameruoso (“Pets and Their Stars,” “Pets and Their Celebrities”); Porter Evans (“The Well-Lettered Cat”); Audrey Pavia (“Horses for Dummies,” “Rabbits for Dummies”); and Michael Simonsen (“Adventures of Officer Byrd: Get Help!”). Visit www.sbbookfestival.org for more information.
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Lights, Camera, Adorable!
