Cats
There are often headshots of dogs or cats on the Internet, and they are generally very cute as shown in the pictures. As a result, many pet parents began to experiment. Have they all been successful? Today, the editor will tell you the accurate methods and techniques for taking photos of big-headed pets.
1. Why can you take a headshot?
Originally, the head of the cat/dog in the mugshot became larger than usual after the photo was taken, partly due to lens distortion! Coupled with the angle and composition of the view, the lines of the animals are exaggerated, so you can take a headshot!
2. Tools required for photographing big-headed cats/dogs
Entry-level DSLRs can already use a wide-angle end of 18mm or wider.
1. A camera - it can be a DSLR or an ordinary DC, but a DSLR will have greater flexibility in terms of tools; 2. If it is a DSLR, it can be equipped with a wide-angle lens (such as 18mm, or even It is a 10mm or fisheye lens, the wider the angle, the more exaggerated the deformation)
3. Your pet’s favorite toys/food, etc.
3. Skills
1. Angle
From Taking a bird's-eye shot of a pet from a high place can emphasize the proportions of its head, so we can put the pet on the ground first and make it stand or sit easily. Then just get close to the pet and take the photo.
2. Focal length
Since the shorter the focal length (wide angle), the greater the degree of exaggeration, so if it is an ASP-C DSLR or DC user, it is recommended to use a focal length of 18mm or wider, or even A wider angle fisheye lens.
3. Aperture
Aperture can control the amount of light added, and it can also affect the depth of field. A large aperture (such as f/1.4) will reduce the amount of light entering, which is more beneficial in dark situations (such as at home), but the depth of field will become shallower, resulting in blurred heads and blurred bodies (or blurry eyes and blurred noses). - The condition of the cat in the picture below. Therefore, when taking headshots, although you should use an aperture above f/4 (f/5.6 or above is better), you must pay attention to the fact that the aperture is too small and the shutter speed is too low. Hand shake or the movement of pets may make the photo hazy.
4. Shutter
When photographing pets, because pets will move from time to time, it is best to adjust the shutter to 1/80s or faster. This will be relatively safe. Naturally, you can use a slower shutter when you want to express movement. , this part will be introduced in the following methods.
5. ISO
When the aperture is small and the shutter speed is fast, the ISO may need to be increased, such as ISO800, 1600, etc. However, be careful that the higher the ISO, the higher the noise of the photo, so it is recommended that you follow the following methods Try:
(1) First adjust the camera to aperture priority mode (A-mode/Av-mode)
(2) Lower the ISO to ISO100 or 200 (if in dark environment or indoors, You can start from ISO800)
(3) Adjust the aperture to f/5.6 and check the shutter speed. If you find that the shutter speed is slower than 1/80s, you can increase the ISO (such as ISO800/1600) to avoid The photo is hazy
(4) Set the focal length to the wide-angle end (such as 18mm), keep the camera close to the pets, pick up toys to attract their attention, and shoot from top to bottom after focusing, a cute big-headed dog/cat The photos exploded!
IV. Precautions
1. Because the eyes of cats/dogs are particularly sensitive to light, direct exposure to flash lights should be avoided when shooting to avoid damage. If it is necessary to use To flash, you can use the direct flash method (bounce)
2. Cats/dogs may see lights that humans cannot see, so cats/dogs may not be used to using infrared focus. Or hide away. At this time, you can use toys to attract its attention to help shoot
3. If you want the "big head" effect to be more outstanding, DSLR users may consider using a fisheye lens
Let your pet get as close to the lens as possible. However, it is easy to cause problems with depth of field and focus errors, so you need to pay attention to adjustment and try more.
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