Assignment #18 - Pet Portrait

Joined: 21 Jun 2005 Posts: 381 Location: Northants , UK

This is my first assignment.

I wanted to achieve somethin like this,
Cute cat from Shrek

This shot was taken hand-held using my new SB600.
Just getting my head around using my new flash, would have liked a little more DOF on this shot. Shutter speed was a little slow, so not as sharp as I would have liked. learning from my mistakes though, next time I will shot in manual or shutter Priority.

Nikon D70s
2006/12/24 22:04:36.9
Compressed RAW (12-bit)
Image Size: Large (3008 x 2000)
Lens: 50mm F/2.8 D
Focal Length: 50mm
Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority
Metering Mode: Spot
1/60 sec - F/6.3
Exposure Comp.: +0.3 EV
Sensitivity: ISO 200
Optimize Image: Normal
White Balance: Flash +3
AF Mode: AF-S
Flash Sync Mode: Front Curtain
Auto Flash Mode: i-TTL
Auto Flash Comp: 0 EV
Color Mode: Mode Ia (sRGB)

Thanks Matt

Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2006 8:09 pm

Cute shot.

For dogs and cats the eyes MUST be in focus. For cats it is really nice if the whiskers are in focus too. For this shot, I think the focus is fine and also the depth of field.

More depth of field and I think the carpet would start to become a distraction.

If you want to get a shot like the one you showed you need to use a VERY wide angle lens. You need to get your camera within inches of the cat's face. The difficulty will be in the lighting. You will need to move your on camera flash off camera and to one side. If you have a Nikon flash this will work automatically. An assistant is helpful.

Have your assistant hold the flash just out of the field of view and towards the cat. The intensity and duration of the flash will be very brief and small. Use your widest angle lens on your zoom and get as close as you can and still have a good focus. Shoot several and re-post. These make very funny shots and they are very easy to shoot once you start using the wide angle and get the camera right in his face. If he looks up the nose will look very large. If he looks with his nose ahead and his eyes up then his eyes will look large.

Go for it.

This is a good shot as is, but I think you should go and get the shot you were after.

If you don't have access to an off camera flash, put him in a bright area of the house (near a window) and then try the same as described above.

Joined: 21 Jun 2005 Posts: 381 Location: Northants , UK

Cheers for the reply packard, thank you for taking the time to give me some good tips too.
The family that owns the kitten are getting another one next week. I've been asked to go round for a another photo shoot. I will try some of your tips and post my results.

Thanks Matt :)