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rightho! I've actually recently ritten an article about getting the most of your pictures, I'll copy it onto here, only thing is, i used guinea pigs as the subjects, but the techinique really is no different to what I'd use on mice....
Photographs, they're everywhere these days, and everyone always wants to see more! They are good for treasuring memories, and just generally showing something to other people that won't get to see the real thing. Or for many of us cavy keepers, seeing a new pig for the first time, or maybe to ask for opinions.
I am a keen photographer, very keen in fact. I got my first DSLR (big posh profession camera) at the Harrogate show in 2009, and since figuring out all the buttons, settings and lightings, I think I've come a long way. For any in the know who want to know more, my camera is a Canon 350D Digital. For the time being, at least while I am typing up this article, I only have a kit lens, which isn't good for an awful lot, but it serves me well. My trusty camera was 3rd hand from a good friend.
Down to the dirty business, I am going to attempt to give you all a few tips on how to take the best photos you can with what's available. And of course I am talking about animals here! It's easier than you think, I'm sure... I'll obviously use cavies as my subject.
Number One - Eye Level
The best tip I can give is to get level with the pig. Of course if you need an overall view for opinions, an aerial shot is needed too, but for general purposes, getting down level with the pig gives the viewer a personal link with the pig and without knowing exactly why, makes the photo 'work'.
Number Two - In Focus
Focusing modern cameras is easy! They are built in with automatic focusing on a point usually in the middle of the viewfinder or screen. A good tip is not to set up the photo as you want it to come out, but point the middle, where it is going to focus, on the head of the pig, usually the eyes, and half press the shutter button (the one that takes the photo).If the camera has focused correctly, there is usually something to say this, normally it will be that the focus area will turn green, but don't press the button fully down yet! This is the trick, keeping your finger half pressed on the shutter, move the camera sideways (not back or forward, as this would take it out of focus, as the focus works on a depth perception filter) and put the camera into the position you would like the photo to come out as. When you have found your position, press the shutter button all the way down.
The hard part in this is doing all that while the pig is still sitting still! But keep trying, and you'll get the hang of this method and be able to move into position much more quickly.
Number Three - Background
Okay, it isn't essential, but it helps right? Cameras do have their faults, and very often one of them is that the colour doesn't come out right. The answer could be the background. A cluttered background is fine; after all, most people are just after snaps. But if you want something a bit more than a snap, choosing the right colour as a background really is a must. For example, you don't put a Chocolate on a black or brown, or for that matter, any dark background. Simple reason: you won't see the guinea pig! With the correct lighting this may not be true, but the average person doesn't have a photography studio with surround lights.
To sum that up, try not to use a background that is roughly the same colour as the cavy! White is usually a really good one to go for, as the camera can quite easily spot what white is, and the rest of the photo will comply with that, trust me on this. The good thing about white is even if you have a pig which is white, or has any white on it, somehow it seems to work (it's to do with shadows). However a good colour for a white pig is blue if you're not convinced!
Generally though, try different colours if you're really that fussed, and see what shows off your cavies best!
*set up of the background is usually on a chair or a surface where you can drape something over the back and onto something else so that the cavy can sit on the material and the rest of it can be hung from behind them. (making an L shape with the BG)
Number Four - Don't Stress
Sometimes things don't work out, pigs never stay still and they never look at the camera, but hey, some of them just are not photogenic! If you can't get them to sit still, give them a bit of time and let them be, quite often they will settle into their own little space and you have to take your photo around them. No one wants a stressed out cavy or keeper! If you have really had enough and it's not happening, try again later.
Hopefully you can apply all that to mice!!
Violet x
Photographs, they're everywhere these days, and everyone always wants to see more! They are good for treasuring memories, and just generally showing something to other people that won't get to see the real thing. Or for many of us cavy keepers, seeing a new pig for the first time, or maybe to ask for opinions.
I am a keen photographer, very keen in fact. I got my first DSLR (big posh profession camera) at the Harrogate show in 2009, and since figuring out all the buttons, settings and lightings, I think I've come a long way. For any in the know who want to know more, my camera is a Canon 350D Digital. For the time being, at least while I am typing up this article, I only have a kit lens, which isn't good for an awful lot, but it serves me well. My trusty camera was 3rd hand from a good friend.
Down to the dirty business, I am going to attempt to give you all a few tips on how to take the best photos you can with what's available. And of course I am talking about animals here! It's easier than you think, I'm sure... I'll obviously use cavies as my subject.
Number One - Eye Level
The best tip I can give is to get level with the pig. Of course if you need an overall view for opinions, an aerial shot is needed too, but for general purposes, getting down level with the pig gives the viewer a personal link with the pig and without knowing exactly why, makes the photo 'work'.
Number Two - In Focus
Focusing modern cameras is easy! They are built in with automatic focusing on a point usually in the middle of the viewfinder or screen. A good tip is not to set up the photo as you want it to come out, but point the middle, where it is going to focus, on the head of the pig, usually the eyes, and half press the shutter button (the one that takes the photo).If the camera has focused correctly, there is usually something to say this, normally it will be that the focus area will turn green, but don't press the button fully down yet! This is the trick, keeping your finger half pressed on the shutter, move the camera sideways (not back or forward, as this would take it out of focus, as the focus works on a depth perception filter) and put the camera into the position you would like the photo to come out as. When you have found your position, press the shutter button all the way down.
The hard part in this is doing all that while the pig is still sitting still! But keep trying, and you'll get the hang of this method and be able to move into position much more quickly.
Number Three - Background
Okay, it isn't essential, but it helps right? Cameras do have their faults, and very often one of them is that the colour doesn't come out right. The answer could be the background. A cluttered background is fine; after all, most people are just after snaps. But if you want something a bit more than a snap, choosing the right colour as a background really is a must. For example, you don't put a Chocolate on a black or brown, or for that matter, any dark background. Simple reason: you won't see the guinea pig! With the correct lighting this may not be true, but the average person doesn't have a photography studio with surround lights.
To sum that up, try not to use a background that is roughly the same colour as the cavy! White is usually a really good one to go for, as the camera can quite easily spot what white is, and the rest of the photo will comply with that, trust me on this. The good thing about white is even if you have a pig which is white, or has any white on it, somehow it seems to work (it's to do with shadows). However a good colour for a white pig is blue if you're not convinced!
Generally though, try different colours if you're really that fussed, and see what shows off your cavies best!
*set up of the background is usually on a chair or a surface where you can drape something over the back and onto something else so that the cavy can sit on the material and the rest of it can be hung from behind them. (making an L shape with the BG)
Number Four - Don't Stress
Sometimes things don't work out, pigs never stay still and they never look at the camera, but hey, some of them just are not photogenic! If you can't get them to sit still, give them a bit of time and let them be, quite often they will settle into their own little space and you have to take your photo around them. No one wants a stressed out cavy or keeper! If you have really had enough and it's not happening, try again later.
Hopefully you can apply all that to mice!!
Violet x
) 
