Photographing Animals/Pets

[darr]

I've got five dogs and one cat and I find using the 6x7 a lot easier to photograph the pack. The biggest problem I face is subject movement when I load the 4x5 film, but this guy will do for me whatever I want:

Rusty
Arca Swiss 4x5, Cooke PS945 f4.5@1/15, Polaroid 55, available light

Rusty is also my driving companion when I have post office and bank runs and he is always a welcomed guest at our local farmer's market (I live in a rural area). I have never seen a dog jump for joy whenever he gets the clue we're going out. His biggest delight is surfing outside the car window, especially at high speeds. He's a very grateful fella. He became homeless after Hurricane Francis and I was lucky enough to find him and offer him a ride.

[Frank Petronio]

Quote: "There's a saying of some sort about using the right tool for the job. I don't think a large format camera is the right tool for pets."

You realize that William Wegman has made millions from photographing dogs with an ULF camera?

Besides drugs, a good run has a calming influence.

[Rory_5244]

Rusty is so cute! I know this isn't a pet picture post, BUT, here's Wisp the Wonder Dog, our rescued stray.

[darr]

Rusty is so cute! I know this isn't a pet picture post, BUT, here's Wisp the Wonder Dog, our rescued stray.

This will become a pet picture post if they let "us" animal lovers have our way!

Wisp the Wonder Dog is adorable Rory. I am sure Rusty Rocket would love to hang out with him for a photo shoot. Great shot!

[Fred Leif]

For those curious about photographing cats with 8x10, you might look up a copy of "The Cats of Wildcat Hill" by Charis and Edward Weston. Long out of print, but used copies are available (for a price).

[robc]

Oh well, if we're showing off our pet portraits then here's mine.
By pure coincidence he's called Tog which was nothing to do with me. Tenuous connection to LF I know.
Attachment 1296

[Rory_5244]

Oh yes, a Rusty and Wisp combination! A very nice kitty, robc! What's that thing on the front of the collar? Thanks Fred. I'll look up that book.

[Rakesh Malik]

Some great pet photos here!

There was an article in a recent magazine (I think it was Rangefinder) about a pet photographer who uses a 4x5 for all of her work.

My cats are darlings, and don't mind posing... but they find cameras to be fascinating, so the longer I take to set up with them around, the more likely I am to find noseprints on my lenses

[Ken Lee]

Here's my answer for smaller dogs: hold them.

TMX in D-76, 150mm APO Sironar-S, Arca-Swiss Discovery

[Marko]

Mind you... our English Bull Terrier probably wouldn't sit still for ALL the cookies in the world. He's just the stubborn type!

No terrier will sit still, period. Otherwise, it's not a terrier.

Mine also dislikes any sort of camera, and he is much faster than me, so the only way to take a reasonable photo is to tire him down first.

Attachment 1299

Thanks for the wonderful quadtone, Ken!