Help, dying dog needs photographing!!!

The goblin

The goblin

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Marsha
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Hi

A friend has recently found out that their beloved family dog (a black Labrador) doesn't have much time left with them:eek:
She has asked if I could photograph them as a family. They have two children, 6yo and 18 months. I don't have any studio equipment or reflectors and I am still learning the basics with my new 7D. I have figured out how to do remote flash work but the settings and power are something I still need to work on.

The photos will probably be taken inside due to the crummy windy weather we are having just now. I prefer candid photography so actually staging a shoot is new to me!

Any advice on camera set up and group shots would be appreciated to do my friend and her family justice.
 
You could always just say no! Sometimes that is the best answer if you're not equipped and not experienced enough to do the job justice. You don't want to mess up something like this.
 
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goblin,

cant offer any advice on good settings as still learning myself. but i recently lost our dog at xmas and i got a calendar made with photos i took of him and some of the better ones were taken just messing around with the camera when i got a new nifty fifty or just messing around with settings i may of just got it lucky. But get round there and get snapping.

the only other thing id say is if the dog hasnt much time left he/she might not like the flashes and distress him/her being poorly.

hope you get some good ones and give the dog a pat for me
 
What lenses do you have?
 
As you are asking for settings, here's what I'd do.

A family shot on the sofa as mentioned.

Now I'd use a bounce card on flash like Peter Greg's original video on A Better Bounce Card. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNCmuExlHvM Point the flash on the ceiling (asuiming their living room is the average height of most homes). If you have a stofen or even better a Gary Fong, and the like, these will do.

Set the flash to ETTL mode.

Set the camera in Manual and set the exposure in the Daim Lg/AliB setting: ISO 800, f4 1/60. Check your LCD and Histogram and tweak the settings if ness, but it is normally a good ball-park setting.
 
I'd tell them to get a pro to be honest. Even if you do some too. It's too important to codge up. It's a one time deal rather than something you can re-shoot later.
 
Shoot in Raw too, so you can play with the WB. If shooting Jpegs do a custom WB.
 
awp said:
You could always just say no!
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I know, but they're not the kind of people that expect studio level photos, a few 'snaps' would probably suit them fine. I just want to do the best I can for them.

martinxr2 said:
But get round there and get snapping.
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I did try today but they were busy, so I'll try and get round there at some point to practice.

scottthehat said:
i guess your not charing,
have you got an external flash if so bounce it of the ceiling.
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Nope, not charging and yes I have the 430EX ll

EOS_JD said:
What lenses do you have?
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I have a selection if you would care to take a peak in my camera bag. I know my prime and macro wouldn't be much good for a group shot unless I was across the street! My wide angle lens 15-85mm would probably be the best option.

Thank you Nigel, I shall try some of those settings. I don't have any reflectors or studio equipment, they are on the 'to do' list. Oh and I always shoot in both raw and jpeg.

When I get a chance to get some shots done I'll post them here.

Thank you all for your tips.
 
Yes your primes are long. The 15-85 should be a decent lens. Keeping the dog still may be an issue so watch your shutter speeds - although flash does freeze the subject you may still see motion in your image if the SS is too low..

Bounce the flash off a wall or the ceiling. Manual more with the camera and ETTL.

ISO 800, f4 1/60 should be close.
 
I was unfortunately in the same position with one of my folks (read family) dogs last year, although they primarily wanted nice snaps what they really wanted was one superb shot of Taffy before he left. Luckily I came up with the goods and they now have a large shot framed of our old family member who is sorely missed.

Be careful as we knew it was going to be difficult saying goodbye but when the time came it was harder than any other dog we have had and am so glad that shot came out right.

Losing a dog is very difficult and the expectations of that snapshot can soon change when it's to late.
 
If you are going to be taking pic's with whole family your 15-85 would be best but I would be using a faster shutter speed 1/200 or even 1/250 as long as you dont get sink banding. The 18 month old will not sit very still so a faster speed would help. Flash bounced off a wall or the ceiling will be ok.

I have used iso 400, 1/250, f4-f8 with good results.

I would also take a few face/head pic's of the dog alone with your 85mm. Maybe laying on his bed, blanket or sheet on the floor.

Also maybe some of the kids and the dog togther hugging and playing with a ball and a large blanket on the floor might work out nice. If the dog is in pain maybe give this a miss unless he is enojoying the fuss, as you dont want him pulled around to much.

Take lots of pics and try a few diffrent styles and I'm sure you will have some nice ones for them to keep.

Good luck.
 
The goblin said:
Cheers. I'm hoping to get around and take some practice halts tomorrow. I'll use a few of your tips.

Nigel I finally got round to watching that YouTube video, how clever is that? I'll get chopping for my practice session.
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Peter Gregg has come up with so many bounce card ideas it seems, but his original is quite adequate IMHO. The foamy stuff he mentions is similar to Funky Foam, which can be bought from The Range in A4 sheets for a few shillings. If you do not have a The Range outlet in your town, google it, have seen it for sale online before.

Good luck and happy shootin', even though it's a sad thing if you get what I mean. :thumbs:
 
Go and do it. You will think yourself out of it. The technical side of it has overtaken the joy, passion and eye for photography. Yes there is a happy medium. As Scott says, sofa, and as much natural light as you can, bounce flash off ceiling. Good luck !!!!
 
The goblin said:
I'm hoping to get around and take some practice halts tomorrow.
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That should obviously say practice shots! Love predictive text!


Twistedimages said:
The technical side of it has overtaken the joy, passion and eye for photography
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My joy and passion is being thwarted by my lack of knowledge! I think you reach a certain point of playing when you realise you need to learn!

Although I guess there's an element of learn through play about it too! So I do, as often as possible!

Twistedimages said:
as much natural light as you can, bounce flash off ceiling
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I seem to struggle with lighting. I don't know if it's a wb issue but colours (especially people) always seem wrong when any kind of flash is used. I'll see what happens when I use a bounce card. But I guess that's an issue for another thread!
 
Well, let's hope this poor dog isn't suffering while all this discussion is going on!
 
gabe said:
Well, let's hope this poor dog isn't suffering while all this discussion is going on!
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TBH The family don't seem bothered about arranging a visit so I guess it's up to them. It allows me chance to practice on my kids though!
 
Come on - this has got to be a really straight forward - every day - bread and butter job for any competent photographer. I nearly said pro - but I didn't - it doesn't matter if you are pro or amateur - if you can't do it - DON'T! Let them get someone who can do it properly. Back out before you mess it up.
 
awp said:
Come on - this has got to be a really straight forward - every day - bread and butter job for any competent photographer. I nearly said pro - but I didn't - it doesn't matter if you are pro or amateur - if you can't do it - DON'T! Let them get someone who can do it properly. Back out before you mess it up.
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You're helpful!

Like I said, they are happy with snaps, it's me that wants to improve my ability and skill whilst doing the best for a much loved pooch.

This is 'talk basics' too!
 
why do you need studio equipment?

just go and take some photos :thinking:

The goblin said:
Hi

A friend has recently found out that their beloved family dog (a black Labrador) doesn't have much time left with them:eek:
She has asked if I could photograph them as a family. They have two children, 6yo and 18 months. I don't have any studio equipment or reflectors and I am still learning the basics with my new 7D. I have figured out how to do remote flash work but the settings and power are something I still need to work on.

The photos will probably be taken inside due to the crummy windy weather we are having just now. I prefer candid photography so actually staging a shoot is new to me!

Any advice on camera set up and group shots would be appreciated to do my friend and her family justice.
Click to expand...
 
POAH said:
why do you need studio equipment?

just go and take some photos :thinking:
Click to expand...

I think this all comes from reading too much on here, I do it myself sometimes instead of just getting out there and taking the photo's.

There is alot of knowledge to be had on here and alot of people with alot of equipment, we all look at the portrate photo's and think that we all need studio equipment to acheive the same quality of photo. When in reality we donot, because even if we had all the equipment we could not usae it to its full potentisal to get the same results.

To the OP, practice in your home with your kids, borrow a dog for the afternoon and practice with different settings till yuo feel you are happy to do the job that you are happy with.

spike
 
better some vaguely interesting natural light stuff than **** studio work (which first attempts are expected to be)

chill out and shoot it, find something you like and work out why you like it then shoot like that ;)
 
Oh I've just popped to see the dog, the poor thing has got a HUGE ugly raw tumour over his eye :( It's developed so fast! I'll post a picture in a bit, but it's difficult to get a shot without the tumour stealing the show! I did get one picture which I'm pleased with as the family has a red sofa that the sore blends with quite well!!!
 
Don't know what you were so worried about. These look fine. The poor dog doesn't look very happy though. I hope he's not in pain.
 
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poor thing i am suprised their vet hasn't suggested he be PTS to avoid any more suffering.
 
It is on the cards. I hadn't realised he was quite so bad!

Awp I've had issues getting my images sharp, but I used some of the advice given here which has been invaluable!

The problem isn't so much a slow moving dog, but a fast moving toddler!!! That's the next stage!
 
Well done for creating some memories for the family, a difficult subject but they will appreciate them.
 
Looks like the opposite of red eye. No reflection from the retina as there is a large milky cataract in the way. I'm sure they will like them, it's a bit like shooting kids, the parents love the little darlings no matter what they look like!! :lol:
 
Beagletorque said:
I'm sure they will like them, it's a bit like shooting kids, the parents love the little darlings no matter what they look like!! :lol:
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True.

Although I have to delete any photos of my kids if the lighting makes them look ginger at all:lol:
 
Poor dog, thats got to hurt. You would think the vet would cut it out rather than just let it keep growing.
 
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