The Verge guide: Practical techniques for sharper pet photography
From shutter speed tweaks to shooting at eye level, a new feature from The Verge breaks down the mechanics of pet portraiture without requiring professional equipment.
The Verge has published a comprehensive guide on capturing improved photographs of pets, authored by Dominic Preston. The article addresses common technical hurdles such as motion blur, poor lighting, and the difficulty of directing animals during photo sessions. Preston, who maintains an Instagram account for his two cats, Noodle and Loaf, notes that while pets are rarely easy to photograph, specific adjustments can significantly improve image quality.
The guide recommends using smartphone cameras as the primary tool, arguing that a better phone camera may offer more practical benefit than a dedicated camera for many users. For those willing to invest in equipment, Preston identifies lighting as the most cost-effective upgrade. He cites a $40 Raleno softbox light, originally purchased for product photography, as a tool that helps bring out detail and reduces colour casts from household lighting.
Technical advice centres on managing camera settings to freeze action. Preston suggests increasing shutter speed to reduce motion blur, noting that Android devices often feature a sports mode for this purpose. iPhones lack a sports mode, but users can utilise burst mode to capture a series of quick shots, increasing the likelihood of a sharp image. The guide also advises adjusting aperture settings between f/4 and f/5.6 to achieve background blur without losing focus on the pet’s face, warning that wider apertures may leave parts of the animal out of focus.
Beyond hardware, the article emphasises technique. Photographers are advised to shoot from the animal’s eye level rather than standing, which creates a more engaging perspective. Preston suggests using treats or toys to direct attention and planning sessions around the pet’s natural habits, such as nap times or play periods, rather than attempting to force poses. He acknowledges that capturing pets will inevitably result in a high volume of poor-quality images, including blurry shots or unflattering angles, which should be accepted as part of the process.
The guide is based on Preston’s personal experience photographing his cats and previous pets, including Chihuahuas. The article was published by The Verge, a technology news outlet, and includes a disclosure that Vox Media may earn a commission from purchases made through links in the article. The advice is presented as a practical framework for amateur photographers looking to refine their skills with readily available tools.
