Here you can learn a few tricks on how to make photos specically for a Medieval Pet Portrait.
The quality of your pet’s photo is the most important thing for a painting worthy of hanging on the wall. Sometimes the right posture and attitude can make a difference. In case you are not content with the photos that you have, you may want to go to a photo shooting session with your pet.
1. Only the head is important, and sometimes the neck.
Do not worry about the body of your pet and the background. It will be replaced by a medieval painting anyway. Fill the entire frame with the head.
2. Position and attitude
Try to have personage pose close to the one in the original painting (front, prole or semi prole). Your camera should be at the eye level of your pet. Sit on the floor if you need to and target his face. Get someone to capture the attention of your dog. The eyes should be open.
3. If the pet is small you may use an assistant
Many cats, are very active and not interested in photography. You can have someone keep the cat still. You can put it on your assistant’s shoulder. Give support for the chest and back legs all the time. Do not pull your pet by the front legs. It may be painful. Some cameras are optimized for human faces. The assistant can look away and let the pet be the star.
4. Take photos of the paws
Many paintings look better with animal paws than with human
hands. You may want the original paws in the painting. Take some close-ups. It is a small detail, but the quality will be better.
5. Natural Lightning
- This is a secret everyone knows: almost any camera can make good photos in good light.
- Try to go with your pet outside, during daylight. Try to avoid strong sunlight because it will cast strong shadows.
- Shoot with the sun behind you in order to get a uniform light. But, in very bright your pet may be squinting so you will have to nd a shade.
- An overcast day is ideal. You can also take very good photos in the golden hour (is the period of daytime shortly after sunrise or before sunset).
6. How to get your dog to look at the camera
Show him a treat or his favorite toy. Or make some noise to capture his attention.
7. Focus
The face should be clear and in focus, with many details. Sometimes the camera gets confused if there are many objects.
8. You can use your smartphone
Your smartphone should be good if you have enough light. A DSLR is better especially for posters larger than 16*20 inches.
9. Do not use digital zoom
because the quality of the image will be worse.
10. Do not use flash
However, if you are shooting during the day, my advice is to use ash. It is counterintuitive, but it can compensate the harsh shadows on the face.
11. Do not edit the image in any way
The larger the image, the better. You will be able to send very large pictures easily. Set the resolution to the maximum permitted by the camera.