Super Dog Sunday™ Tailgate Party

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

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We're Ready for Super Bowl XLVIII

Tanner and Oliver and I want to share some of our photo tips with you today. This is our 4th year producing the Super Dog Sunday™ photo contest, so we've learned a thing or two. Here are our best tips in the most concise way I can present them. I hope this helps with your creativity. Please feel free to leave your questions as comments and I'll be sure to answer them as best as I can. Good luck!

When Does the Game Start?

•  Natural light always gives the best results.
• Consider a contrasting background to your subject's color and texture.
• Watch for unwanted objects in the background. Reposition your pet for a pleasant, contrasting background.
• Have some fun with themed items for your photo set--any suitably-themed props you may have available.
• Borrow colors for your theming, using bandanas, hair ribbons, Tshirts, collars and other props.
• Shoot with primary lighting behind you, if you're not outdoors.
• Moving subjects generally blur in photos. Set your shutter speed accordingly when shooting pics of pets.
• Use a photo editing program to remove red-eye, but generally you get your best pics when using little editing, and more pre-planning of your subject and background.
• Flash photography often produces green-eye in many pet photos. This is tough to fix, so shoot for pics that don't have your pet looking directly into the camera. Better yet, don't use a flash.
• Candid shots are often best for pets that don't pose well.
• Try shooting with your flash off, using a night setting, and see if you get better results.
• Use a squeaky toy or treat to get your dog to look in the desired direction.
  
• If you have a black pet, try close up shots.
• Experiment with your macro setting for close ups.
• Close ups and portrait shots will display best in the #SuperDogSunday Blog Hop's thumbnail photos.

The Super Dog Sunday™ photo display will open on Saturday, January 18 about 11 AM ET. Entries may be sent to EventBarkers@gmail.com through Sunday, February 2 at 6:30 PM ET. Good luck!

Super Dog Sunday™ is a charity event. All proceeds go directly--and in full--to Petfinder Foundation. As co-sponsors and hosts, DogTipper and All Things Dog Blog are participating in donations as well as donating our time and effort to produce this event. Many thanks to our Platinum Sponsor, Nature's Logic. Enjoy!