.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\nMost Shiba Inu owners will probably admit that the sheer volume of photos on their phone is comprised solely of their Shibas.<\/p>\n
Getting that truly perfect shot<\/strong> of your adorable Shiba Inu may be elusive to those that have minimal photography skills, knowledge, and equipment.<\/p>\nSince getting photos of your Shibe to make him\/her Insta-famous is almost as complex as working as a professional photographer, here are some tips and tricks<\/strong><\/em> for getting the perfect photograph of your Shiba Inu every single time.<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\nEquipment and Software<\/strong><\/h3>\nThe sheer number of equipment and software to choose from can make deciding difficult. Don’t despair!<\/p>\n
Can’t I Just Use My Phone To Take Great Photographs?<\/strong><\/h4>\nSure, you can definitely get some great shots of your Shiba with a smartphone – especially if they are the latest 2017 higher-end models.<\/p>\n
Think at least the Apple7 or the Samsung S8…<\/p>\n
However, this article is all about taking your Shiba Inu photography to the next level.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\nAnd to achieve that, camera phones just wont do.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\nBut don’t worry. It’s not that difficult or expensive to find a camera set-up to capture the priceless moments of your life with your Sheebs.<\/p>\n
You simply have to choose the right lenses for your shot and figure out if you like mirror-less cameras or DSLR cameras better. (We’re not going to mention compact digital cameras because the quality is not much better than a good smartphone.)<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\nMirrorless Camera<\/p>\n
In a nutshell, mirror-less cameras are “almost” as compact as compact digital cameras but take waaaay better photographs. They are quite costly though.<\/p>\n
DSLR cameras allow you a range of shooting possibilities but with added bulk<\/strong> and heft<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\nDSLR Camera<\/p>\n
I’ve always had DSLR cameras but the size and weight of these cameras made it impractical for me to take them to the places I normally go with my dogs. <\/p>\n
That’s why I love shooting with mirror-less cameras. They are fairly compact and light and can take stunning photographs.<\/p>\n
Additionally, mirror-less cameras also have the flexibility of an i<\/em><\/strong>nterchangeable lens system<\/em><\/strong> just like DSLR’s. <\/p>\nOnce you have your camera, you can play around with a variety of lens<\/em><\/strong> focal lengths to add different effects to the pictures:<\/p>\n\n- Fisheye or Ultra-Wide Angle<\/strong> \u2013 These run around 8-15 mm and offer a unique 180-degree view of the scene. Though fish-eye lenses are challenging, because they distort the subject and the surroundings, you can get very creative with this.<\/li>\n
- Wide-Angle<\/strong> \u2013 At 24-35 mm, these don’t grant the same distorted perspective of a fisheye, but there is still some elongation. If you want to create a bobble-headed effect or have your Shibe’s nose look humongous, this is the lens for you.<\/li>\n
- Normal<\/strong> \u2013 The 50mm lens is called normal because it mimics how humans see the world. This is best for portraits and limited spaces.<\/li>\n
- Telephoto Lens<\/strong> \u2013 A telephoto lens runs anywhere from 70-200 mm. The depth, compression, and detail of photographs shot with these type of lens allows you to back up slightly and take in more of the surroundings. You get an honest representation of whatever it is you are shooting with little distortion.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/span><\/p>\nImage Editing Software<\/strong><\/h3>\nMost photography novices wouldn’t even think to edit their photos in an image editing program.<\/p>\n
It’s simply shoot, and post.<\/p>\n
However, if you want to have your photographs look as good as possible – editing your images is simply a must.<\/p>\n
Image editing will correct color imbalances, lighting issues, and even help slightly blurry images look sharp.<\/p>\n
With a little more effort, you can even remove unwanted background elements to ensure that your Shiba is the star of the photo.<\/p>\n
As for software, the best to use for editing would be Photoshop; but it is an expensive purchase. Those who are seeking a wonderful free alternative can use Pixlr<\/strong> or another free Photoshop alternative, like GIMP<\/strong>.<\/p>\n10 Easy Tips To Get Perfect Shiba Inu Portraits<\/strong><\/h3>\n# 1 – Relax<\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/span><\/p>\nAnimals are like furry empaths.<\/p>\n
You shouldn’t be stressed out or anxious around them, because they will immediately sense this and soak up those negative feelings.<\/p>\n
Try communicating with your doge non-verbally<\/em><\/strong> and calmly<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\nMake motions that he\/she understands. Nothing is worse than barking commands at your photo subject and using their name repeatedly.<\/p>\n
In these situations, your Shiba Inu will most likely start tuning you out.<\/p>\n
# 2 – Aim To Capture Your Shiba’s True Character<\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/span><\/p>\nPart of being able to capture the funny expressions your Shiba Inu makes is understanding their personality and character.<\/p>\n
Just like people, certain situations make them more photogenic than others.<\/p>\n
For example, if your Shiba Inu is food motivated, you can always use treats to get them to dance.<\/p>\n
Lazier animals are best shot when they are fast-asleep and dreaming.<\/p>\n
As for those doggos that don’t know how to slow down, try playing with them first, wearing them down, and then shoot their portrait.<\/p>\n
Focus on capturing your Shiba Inu’s true personality by concentrating on their eyes and expressions. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\nJust like in humans, the eyes are the windows to a dog’s soul. Eyes help convey love, empathy, fear, and trust.<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\nThe eyes in the image should be completely sharp. To ensure sharpness on the eyes, choose a single point focus.<\/p>\n
A well-timed squeak from a toy or a noise that makes your Shiba Inu cock their head or look at you oddly is going to make a superb photo.<\/p>\n
If possible, get an assistant to help you divert your Shiba’s attention to get that perfect pose \/ angle.<\/p>\n
# 3 – Treat, Treat, Treat<\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/span><\/p>\nIf your Shiba Inu is a typical Shiba Inu, all this photo taking quickly get old to them.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\nKeep them interested in the photo sessions by periodically rewarding them with a favorite treat. Not leaves like in this photo though…<\/p>\n
# 4 – Go Where The Light Shines<\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/span><\/p>\nLighting<\/strong><\/em> is everything in photography.<\/p>\nHaving a decent light source is even more critical in pet photography, since the eyes are the focal point of the shot. You also don’t want to create glare on your Shiba Inu’s eyes.<\/p>\n
Avoid photography sessions that take place in dark rooms or on overly cloudy \/ overly sunny days, as this will diminish the quality of the shot.<\/p>\n
Try to find places where the light is natural and diffuses throughout the space. <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\nThe best time for natural lighting photography is either early morning or in the evening, right before sunset.<\/p>\n
Avoid taking pictures in the afternoon when the sun is out as direct sunlight creates way too much shadows.<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\nLighting can add drama and character to photographs<\/em><\/p>\nWhenever possible, try to avoid using flash. Some dogs don’t like getting “flashed”<\/em><\/strong> – and images that use flash don’t look as flattering as natural light photographs.<\/p>\nHowever, sometimes diffused flash is necessary in certain situations for darker dogs like Black and Tan Shibas.<\/p>\n
Note:<\/strong>If you will mainly be photography black and tan Shiba Inus<\/strong>, your camera will naturally want to lighten the image by default. To compensate for this, you can manually adjust the exposure controls on your camera. Play around and take some practice shots first before doing any major photography session. <\/em><\/p>\n