I’ve posted the picture below here and on Facebook, and I got a whole bunch of comments that fell into two categories: 1. Aw, they’re so cute! (Thanks! I think so!), and 2. How did you get them to look at the camera all at once?
First, here’s the picture:
So what’s the trick? What’s the secret to this picture’s success?
Take lots and lots (and lots and lots) of pictures! I had treats that I was holding above my head to keep their attention, but it still took a dozen takes to get this one. Some of the best outtakes include:
In all, I took 12 photos. Some had bad light, one was out of focus. In one, Cooper started gnawing on the sofa. Once I got that 12th one, and I knew they were all looking the same direction, I called it a day.
My only plan for getting 1 good picture is to take lots and lots and just hope. I see so many gorgeous pup pics all over Facebook and blogs. So, tell me: What are the secrets to your photographic success?
Erica says
03•17•11 at 3:27 pmOnly 12 shots? I’m impressed! It took me 77 shots and whole lotta yogurt to get my favorite pic of my two little demons! Lol!
Maggie says
03•17•11 at 3:37 pmHaha! Erica, it really helped this particular pic that they were really, really tired after a trip to the dog park!
Ann says
03•17•11 at 5:22 pmYou hit on my 2 tricks – make them tired and take lots and lots and lots of photos hoping to get a good one. Although your boys are so well mannered, they do sit and stay very well.
Shauna (Fido & Wino) says
03•17•11 at 7:49 pmI definitely agree- take a gazillion shots and hopefully one will be good! I also make all kinds of weird noises and I’m not afraid to make myself look like a total dork in the process 😉
Lori @ According to Gus says
03•17•11 at 9:17 pmI’m obsessed with the continuous shooting feature on my camera. It takes as many as four frames per second. I figure if I take 100, at least one will turn out okay. 🙂
I love Emmett’s close-up. He didn’t want to share the photo session with his siblings. What a diva. 🙂
Bella and Daisy says
03•17•11 at 11:33 pmOnly 12?? Wow! My best posed pictures of the girls-I don’t take! LOL I typically have my dad bring his nice DSLR over (I only have a point and shoot). Then, he snaps pics while I tempt the girls with hot dogs. We can still takes hundreds of shots to get the few special ones.
Most of the pics I take of the girls are environmental pictures-them in the dog park, off leash, and relaxing at home. Or of just Daisy posing. Bella hates the camera pointed right at her.
Helen says
03•18•11 at 9:20 amI love the outtakes. I find my best pictures are usually taken by mistake. In that, I was meaning to take something else and managed to get that picture.
D.K. Wall & The Thundering Herd says
03•19•11 at 8:15 amThe invention of digital photography was the best thing ever. I take dozens of shots before I get one to include on the blog. I simply am not smart enough to set the shot up and get it in one take.
Jeanette says
03•21•11 at 2:33 pmHehe, great post… the first picture is great!! I have SO many “action” shots of my dog. Thank goodness for the digital age so I can take 100s of pictures and hope for a good one!
Skye says
03•21•11 at 11:38 pmLotsa shots. Only way. And treats. You should check out my Facebook xmas album (I think the shots are on GoPetFriendly somewhere also)– I was determined to get a photo of Holly in reindeer antlers. The outtakes include her attempting to eat the antlers, as well as a shot take from the ground after she charged me and rammed me with the antlers. As with your shots, I actually like the outtakes better! They speak to the true experience of dog parenting.
Maggie says
03•22•11 at 8:35 amSkye, the pictures of Holly with her antlers are PRECIOUS! It was totally worth it! 🙂
Amy@GoPetFriendly says
03•25•11 at 1:03 amWe actually have a command – “pay attention” means the dogs need to look at the camera. I think they’ve figured out that if they just “pay attention” it will all be over a lot faster and we can get back to having fun.
Maggie says
03•25•11 at 8:33 amThat is a brilliant idea, Amy!! I may try to work on that with the boys. Did you just hold up treats to train it?