Focusing On Fido: Tricks For Dogs Running To Camera

Capturing the perfect shot of a dog running towards the camera is no easy feat. It requires a good understanding of dog behaviour, lighting, focus, framing, and camera settings. Here are some tips to help you nail that perfect shot:

- Choose a good, open location with plenty of natural light and minimal distractions in the background.

- Use a DSLR camera with a continuous autofocus feature to keep the dog in focus as it runs.

- Set your camera to a fast shutter speed to freeze the action and avoid motion blur.

- Use a wide-open aperture to create a shallow depth of field, blurring the background and making the dog stand out.

- Get down to the dog's level to capture the action from their perspective and create a sense of intimacy.

- Use a telephoto lens to keep your distance and allow the dog to roam freely without being influenced by your proximity.

- Be patient and practice—the more you do it, the better your luck will be!

Choose a good location with plenty of space and natural light

When photographing dogs, the location you choose is incredibly important. Opting for a wide-open field may limit the variety of your final images, so it's a good idea to select a location with a variety of backdrops. A local park, for instance, may feature a pond, a field, and a wooded area all within walking distance. This way, you can achieve different "looks" without having to travel far. Having an open area for wide-angle photos and areas with trees or brush for shade and a dark backdrop are also good options.

When choosing a location, it's also essential to consider the safety and comfort of the dog and its owner. Avoid rocky or steep terrain that may be difficult for the dog or owner to navigate. If the dog displays aggressive behaviour towards other dogs, choose a quiet area away from other dogs and people. It's also a good idea to keep the dog on a leash in such cases. Additionally, consider the dog's physical abilities and any relevant concerns when selecting a location.

The amount of natural light available is another crucial factor when choosing a location. Shooting action photos in open, well-lit, spacious areas usually yields the best results. Beaches, natural spacious areas, and large playing fields are ideal as they offer ample room for the dogs to run and play while providing plenty of natural light. It is recommended to avoid shooting under trees or in shaded areas as they can make it challenging to manage your ISO settings. Open areas with a clear sky overhead maximise light, and having trees in the distant background can help filter the sun when shooting with backlight later in the day.

Use the right gear, including a DSLR camera with a telephoto lens

Capturing dogs in motion is challenging, but using the right gear can help you get the perfect shot. Using a DSLR camera with a telephoto lens is ideal for photographing dogs running towards you. Here are some tips to make the most of this setup:

Choose the Right DSLR Camera

Select a DSLR camera with reliable continuous autofocus tracking. This feature will help you keep the dog in focus as it runs towards you. Look for cameras with autofocus capabilities specifically designed for tracking moving subjects, such as AI Servo on Canon and AF-C on Nikon. Higher-end DSLR models generally offer more advanced autofocus systems with a higher number of focus points, improving your chances of keeping the dog in focus.

Select a Suitable Telephoto Lens

Pair your DSLR with a telephoto zoom lens, such as a 70-200mm lens. This type of lens is ideal for capturing dogs running towards you because it allows you to focus on the dog from a distance and maintain focus as they get closer. Additionally, telephoto lenses create a shallow depth of field, blurring the background and foreground while keeping the dog sharp and in focus. This isolation of the subject adds visual impact to your images.

Other Gear Considerations

While the DSLR camera and telephoto lens are the core components, there are a few other gear considerations to enhance your setup:

• Fast Shutter Speed: Opt for a fast shutter speed to freeze the action and prevent motion blur. A minimum shutter speed of 1/1000 second is recommended, but faster speeds will improve your results.
• Aperture Settings: Use a wide aperture (such as f/2.8) to achieve a shallow depth of field and isolate your subject. If you're confident in your focusing skills and want to increase the depth of field, you can use a smaller aperture (larger f-stop number) but ensure you have sufficient lighting.
• ISO Settings: Adjust your ISO based on lighting conditions. In bright light, keep the ISO low, while in low light, you may need to increase it.
• Continuous Burst Mode: Utilize continuous burst mode to capture a sequence of photos by holding down the shutter button. This will give you more options to choose from and increase your chances of getting the perfect shot.
• Stabilization: Consider using a tripod or other stabilization tools to improve stability and reduce the risk of blurry images, especially when using slower shutter speeds.

Set up the shot with the correct camera settings, such as a fast shutter speed and narrow aperture

Capturing dogs in motion is a challenging task, but with the right camera settings, you can achieve impressive results. Here are some detailed instructions to set up the shot with the correct camera settings, such as a fast shutter speed and narrow aperture:

Camera Settings:

• Shutter Speed: To freeze the dog's motion and capture sharp images, a fast shutter speed is essential. Set your shutter speed to at least 1/1000th of a second. Faster shutter speeds, such as 1/2500 or higher, will provide even better results. This will ensure that you capture the dog's expression and movement without any motion blur.
• Aperture: For a shallow depth of field, where the dog is in sharp focus while the background is blurred, choose a wide aperture (low f-stop value). This setting will blur the background and highlight the dog as the main subject. However, be cautious when using very fast lenses with wide apertures, as the depth of field may become too narrow, making it challenging to keep the dog in focus. Consider using apertures in the range of f/2.8 to f/5.6, depending on the available light.
• ISO: Aim for a lower ISO setting, as it will reduce image noise. Start with an ISO of 100 or as close to it as possible. If you're shooting in low-light conditions, you may need to increase the ISO to maintain a fast shutter speed. Keep in mind that higher ISO settings can introduce noise into your images.
• Focus Mode: Use continuous autofocus mode (AI Servo on Canon, AF-C on Nikon) to keep the dog in focus as it moves towards you. This mode will continuously adjust the focus, ensuring the dog remains sharp in your photos.
• Drive Mode: Set your drive mode to continuous shooting or burst mode. This will allow you to capture multiple images in quick succession, increasing your chances of getting the perfect shot.

Additional Tips:

• Location: Choose a spacious, well-lit outdoor location, such as a beach, open field, or natural area with plenty of light. Avoid shooting under direct overhead sun, as it can create harsh shadows and hotspots. The last hour before sunset often provides ideal lighting conditions.
• Lighting: Ensure you have good lighting conditions by shooting in full sun or during the golden hour (the first hour after sunrise or the last hour before sunset). Avoid shooting into the sun to prevent lens flare and focus issues. If it's an overcast day, keep your camera settings evenly balanced.
• Composition: Get down low, at the dog's level, to capture images with a more accurate sense of scale and perspective. Include some foreground elements to create depth and a more professional-looking composition.
• Practice: Photographing dogs in motion takes practice, so don't be discouraged if you don't get perfect results right away. Experiment with different settings, locations, and techniques to improve your skills.

Get into position by crouching down or lying on the ground to get a dog's-eye view

To get a dog's-eye view, you'll need to get down low. This might mean crouching or even lying on the ground. This technique has a number of benefits when it comes to photographing dogs.

Firstly, it gives the images a more accurate sense of scale and perspective, allowing you to see the dog's expressions clearly and giving an insight into their world. Secondly, photos taken from a very low angle create visual space between the dog's running legs and the ground. This low angle creates much greater visual impact, especially if the dog is jumping or bounding with lots of energy.

Shooting from a low angle also helps to avoid casting your shadow on the dog when shooting in full sun with the sun low in the sky behind you. It also creates a shallow plane of focus, so any distracting details on the ground will be out of focus and won't compete with your subject.

Finally, getting down low introduces an extra layer to the image: the foreground. This extra element creates depth, an important element of composition. Having a clear foreground, middle ground, and background adds interest and gives the image a more professional appearance.

So, don't be afraid to get down on the ground to capture those perfect shots of dogs running towards the camera!

Use focus tracking to keep the dog in focus as it runs towards you

Capturing dogs in motion as they run towards you is a challenging task, but using focus tracking can help you keep the dog in focus. Here are some tips to achieve this:

Choose the Right Gear

Select a camera with reliable continuous autofocus tracking. While most cameras have a continuous autofocus tracking mode, not all perform equally well. Digital SLR professional camera bodies generally offer better autofocus performance. If you have a mirrorless digital camera, you may also have eye detection and tracking features, which can be advantageous for action shots.

Understand Your Camera Settings

Correct exposure is the key to achieving sharp images. A combination of fast shutter speed, aperture, and ISO is essential. For a dog running towards you, a shutter speed of at least 1/1000 second is recommended to freeze the motion and ensure a sharp image. Using a large aperture (such as f/2.8) allows for a faster shutter speed and lower ISO, resulting in better image quality.

Set Up Predictable, Repeatable Action

To make it easier to track the dog's movement, set up a predictable action. For example, you can have the dog's owner ask them to stay at a distance and then release and call them towards you. Alternatively, if the dog loves to play fetch, you can throw a ball for them and capture their action as they run back to you.

Nail Your Shooting Technique

Get down low when shooting "run to me" action photos. Shooting at the dog's level gives a more accurate sense of scale and perspective, and it helps avoid casting your shadow on the subject. Additionally, shooting along the ground creates a shallow plane of focus, ensuring that any distracting details on the ground are out of focus.

Practice and Troubleshooting

Practising is key to perfecting your technique. If possible, practice on a high-energy dog that loves to repeat the action. With each attempt, you'll gain a better understanding of your camera's capabilities and the required settings, improving your chances of capturing that perfect shot.

Frequently asked questions