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A Black and White Portrait of a Black and (A Little) White Dog.
Black and white portraits of dogs can be very effective portraits. With today’s digital technology it is simple with a click of a button to see the difference in a portrait between color and black and white. It is true however, that when I do show my clients an image both ways more often than not they prefer the color version.
But the times when they do prefer the black and white version it is a strong yes as the black and white version gives the portrait a whole different look and mood, with more visual power and strength. This particular portrait IMO has a more pensive and timeless look and feel in black and white and specifically in the particular way i prepare the change from color to black and white. In small doses, black and white pet portraits are a wonderful option in pet photography and an option that I am glad to offer my clients.
What a graceful pose!
What Color is Your Dog? (That Determines the Clothing Colors I Recommend)
Clothing colors play an important part in how visually effective the portrait will be for the viewers who will have it in their homes, offices and at their relatives homes, in short anyone who will be viewing the portrait. This portrait with the family wearing mainly black is quite strong, with the exception of the woman’s bare arms and white collar on her dress. The man’s blue jeans are a minor distraction.
If I had an additional portrait of this family with a black collar and long sleeves for the woman and darker pants for the man it would be a stronger image and the difference to us would be obvious. Why do I say that? Well, looking at the image we cannot help but notice the bare arms and white collar which visually nudge our attention away from the dogs and the peoples faces. Of course the white dogs (Bichons) stand out–guess what? we want them to stand out along with the peoples faces. Clothing in my professional opinion should be appropriate for the portrait but should not stand out and be a distraction.
However, with black or dark colored dogs dark clothing would not work as the dogs would tend to blend in with the clothing. For these situations I recommend medium clothing colors, not too dark and not too light. I like to tell clients that on a scale of 1 to 10 (white being 1 and black being 10) think of colors that would be either a 5 or a 6–then I will give them some colors I like.
As a professional portrait photographer with 37 years of experience this just one of the services I provide for my clients. Call Patrick Nau Photography at 612-722-7911 for your special portraits. Remember: ‘Don’t say I wish I had, say I’m glad I did.’
We’re a dog loving family!
When a Big, Strong Dog Strikes a Cute Pose
I’m really just a softie!
It is always fun for me as a pet photographer to capture poses of a dog breed that goes a little against type. Here we have a cute and maybe even a gentle portrait of a German Shepherd. We have probable seen the classic pose of a German Shepherd–a head and shoulder view head turned slightly away from the camera looking off in the distance. The truth is I love to take that type of portrait with every German Shepherd I have photographed. In my opinion, it perfectly shows the strength and dignity of the noble breed.
However, a pose like this one shows the playful side and is a fun part of a portrait session and one of my goals as a pet (and people, too!) photographer–to capture a variety of looks and expressions that my clients will love.
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