Digital SLR Photography

48 Digital slr PhotographyNove mber2016PH TOsKIl ls1settheambientSet your camera to manual mode and a low ISO.Set the shutter speed to match your flash sync speed (between1/160sec and1/250sec) and an apertureof around f/11.Take a shotofthe environment and check theLCD. To make our subject pop we’llaim to underexpose by one to two stops. If it’s too dark, select a slowershutter speed. If it’s too light, pick a smaller aperture.2setupflashA softboxoffers more control andreduces spill, butyou’ll have to be more exact with its position – tricky if the dogmoves around a lot. An umbrella, on the other hand, spreads lightfar and wide, so positioning is moreforg iving, but just watchfor spillwhere you don’t want it. Position the flash just behind and to one sideof you, pointingat your subject,at just above the model’s head height.3setthe powerStart with the flash on1/4 power and take a test shotwith the animalat roughly the desired distance from the flash–I like to shoot with the flash around 1-2m behind me, which gives meroom to move back if needs be. If the exposure looks good – perfect!If not, adjust power accordingly.You can also move the flash closer orfurther away to change the amountof flash thatreaches the subject.4GetlowandwideThere’s areason why we’ve selected a mid-aperture, and that’s because combined with a wide-angle lens,it gives you a wide depth-of-field, so you don’t need to worry aboutthe pooch drifting in and outof fo cus. Get in position nice and low–if your cameraoffers a tiltingLCD screen then using LiveView is ideal–hold the camera an inch or so from the floorfor a quirky angle.``````top tipHavefunwitHit!Aswe’reaimingforaboldandbrightfunportrait,remembertohavefunduringtheshoot!Shootfromlowangles,getclosewithyourwide-angleandinteractwiththedogtogethimorhertoactplayfully.Themostusefulprotip?Peanutbutteristhebesttreatwhenitcomestogettingdogstopullweirdand wonderfulfaces–youha vetotryit!