Sep 29 2008
Taking Photos While Walking Your Dogs
Shadow And Rascal Running
Would You Like To Capture The Fun Of A Visit To An Off-Leash Dog Park?
Getting those action shots requires a little planning and a little luck.
I love taking my camera with me when I walk my three girls in the park. They run, jump, romp and swim at full speed. I wish I had their full-out-joy-of-life! A trip to the dog park lifts my spirit as much as it does theirs. Getting a good shot, that expresses the fun – isn’t as easy. When it comes to capturing those displays of athleticism you’ll need to plan ahead.
There are a few things I’ve learned as I’ve filled countless compact flash cards with blurry, out of focus and missed photos of the pups. I thought I’d share what I know. And ask, if you have any tips to share, please comment below.
Set the camera to a higher ISO (around 800)
You’ll have to sacrifice a little noise for a faster shutter speed. To get that speed you’ll need to bump up the ISO rating. I’ve found the best settings to be around 800 ISO on a sunny day and 1600 on an overcast day.
Dobie with a blue ball
Don’t monkey around with settings while the action goes by….
Set your camera on P (or program mode) and let your camera make the exposure decisions for you. If your camera allows (most DSLR’s will) you can choose the shutter speed while in program mode. I usually choose the fastest shutter speed available and let depth of field go. I look at it quickly when we get to the park and let the camera decide from there. If you choose shutter priority, aim for a shutter speed of 1/250 second or faster. If you can not acheive that speed, scarfice the polarizer filter, which should give you another stop or two in speed. Anything below 1/250 is dicey for action shots.
Use the auto focus or manual focus?
If you have a small, point and shoot camera, this one won’t matter to you. Your camera will focus for you. It’s the DSLR owners who have to choose which setting to use. I use auto focus, mainly because my hands are full, and I’ve forgotten my glasses. With all the commotion arriving at the dog park entails it’s hard to remember that I can’t see anymore – LOL.
We once had someone ask us if we were from the dog pound, another time we were asked if we were dog walkers. When we pull into the parking lot it sounds like we have more that three dogs in the truck. The truck rocks and shakes as the girls jump and bark to get out. I haven’t tried using manual focus yet. It takes extra time to focus the lens in manual, but on an overcast day the auto focus can be slow too. That has ment the one that got away several times. I’m not sure there’s a good solution – best thing to do is preplann shots as much as possible (anticipate your dogs moves).
Shadow Catches A Ball
Use the camera’s on board flash to help freeze action
Fast moving dogs can be frozen with the help of your on board flash. You could take a speed light flash with you for your DSLR. I don’t because it’s an extra burden to carry along with bags and leashes. If I have to run off after the dogs the extra equipment is in the way.
In the photo on the right I used a flash to help freeze the action as Shadow grabs the ball out of midair.
A flash also helps when the sun is behind your dog and not you. It always seems the best shots are when the light is the worst. Even on a bright sunny day you can pull a dog expression out of the shadows with your flash.
Just remember, your flash isn’t very strong. You’ll need to be fairly close to take advantage of the freezing power of the flash. Normally the on-camera flash won’t be effective beyond about 6 to 8 feet.
Using A Flash Helped Bring Out Shadow While Putting A Catch Lite In Rascals Eyes
Another consideration when using your flash is your camera’s recycle time. When you use the flash it takes a few seconds for your camera to write to the card and prepare for the next shot. That can be a disadvantage when trying to capture a sequence.
Choose wisely; do you want that telephoto zoom hanging around your neck while chasing your dog?
Use the kit lens, or a 20mm to 80mm zoom lens. They are generally faster (meaning that they have the ability to open up to let more light in, so you can use them in lower light conditions or when shooting action). These lenses will make you get closer to the dogs, but you’re going to anyhow if you use a flash. Telephoto lenses are next to impossible to hand hold and get a sharp picture. The smallest movemeant on the photographers part and you’ll end up with a fuzzy photo. Of course, image stabilized lenses go a long way to correct this, if you can afford them…..
Leave the tripod at home – hope for the best
It pains me to say it, but leave the tripod at home. Even with one dog, your pup won’t stay in one place long enough to pull out a tripod. If you have an extra hand (that’s not throwing balls and holding toys) you could try a monopod.
If you can, shoot in RAW
RAW format image processing has become so simple that there’s no reason not to. You can pull an amazing amount of information out of a badly exposued photo with RAW, or correct small expoure details that used to ruin a photo. A couple of things to note, take extra cards if shooting in RAW. The files are big, no compression. Also, the write time to the card is a little slower. That means the camera takes the photo, and there is a few second delay before you can shoot the next one. Be sure to purchase cards that are ‘fast’ to write. They’re a little more expensive, but will allow you to get ready for the next shot sooner.
Be prepared Watch your dog as they interact with others. Follow with your eyes and have your hand on your camera. After a few visits to the park you’ll know you pup’s protocol and which dogs she’ll warm up to. Don’t forgot that interesting hello (no I’m not talking about the butt sniff here – I’m talking about the jump for joy or nose to nose sniff). If you understand how they’ll react, it’s easier to be ready with your camera when they play or do their hello dance with that special dog friend.
Have your camera pre-focused for the big splash
Ask someone to toss the ball for your pup if you are alone. Most everyone at the dog park is friendly. Get your camera ready, pre focus and tell your new friend to toss that ball.
Show motion by panning
This takes a little practice but will yield some fun motion shots. One behaviour you can count on with your
Move the camera during exposure to show motion
pup is that he’ll circle you as he runs by, full throttle. If you are lucky, he’ll miss your knees. Have your camera ready as your dog makes his circle. Then, as he comes into range press the shutter and move with him. This camera movement is called ‘panning’ and if done correctly can capture your dog in focus, and blur the background.
A few final thoughts:
Don’t forget to bend your knees, or kneel down on the ground to be at eye level to your dog (if you don’t own a great dane). Dogs are much more interesting if you photograph them at their level, where the action is.
- Take a rain protector to keep your camera dry on wet days.
- Don’t leave camera gear in the car, just take what you need for the day – don’t bring the camera bag.
- Bring an extra card in case you fill up the first one. It’s hard to see the LCD screen on sunny days and I wait until I get home to delete blurry photos
- Turn on your camera’s rapid fire – when I see my dog Shadow jumping for a ball I point and hold my finger down on the shutter until the end of her leap. The camera fires off several and sometimes, if I’m lucky I’ll capture the jump just as she grabs the ball.
My Favorite dog off leash parks in the Puget Sound
I’ve been to most of them. We enjoy them all, but with a pack of three some seem a little too small after the first few minutes. My two current favorites for a day trip are:
Rascal resting after a long day at Double Bluff Park
Camera Bags will be awarded for the top three entrants in each category.
