Dash of Inspiration – August 15, 2011

A Dash of Inspiration…A Cup of Creativity by Doreen

Amazing Animal Photography

Animals of all kinds have inspired artists and photographers since the beginning of time.  For some these wonderful creatures are rendered with such realism that they come to life before your very eyes; for others the whimsical, silly and comical side of animals is brilliantly portrayed. So what makes great animal imagery?

A mood and/or expression is important when capturing an animal, this gives the photograph, painting or illustration life.  The image has to express character, through action or expression.  Animals are living beings, so they have to speak to the viewer in some way.  That can be serious or funny, sad or happy, subtle or powerful…but it has to be a part of the overall imagery.  Those who paint and illustrate animals have much more freedom to portray these creatures in a variety of wacky and whimsical ways than does the photographer.

Because photography is based in realism, the technical aspects of the photograph are as critically viewed as the subject itself.  Color is critical.  I see far too many purple gorillas and black bears in animal photography and it’s disturbing.  If you are selling the shot in full color, then get the color right!  If you are offering the photograph as a black and white, then get proper tonal values. When the animal’s eyes are visible in a photograph they need to be in sharply focused, clear and vivid.  Many great animal photographs are ruined because of these five things:

• Sharp focus is on their neck not their eyes. Rule is Nose and Eyes MUST BE in focus
•  Eyes are muddy therefore don’t have nice clarity and depth
• Flash/red-eye; whether it’s yellow, green or red…its all bad flash eye and unacceptable as a marketable photograph.
• Color cast and/or poor tonal values.  Animal photography has to be realistic!  Great color and if in grayscale then the range needs to go from rich blacks to bright white.
•  Important elements are cutoff due to poor composition, i.e. ears, paws, etc…

From the Stray Muses (TM) A Language Unspoken Collection by Doreen Erhardt

All of the above can take the life out of the animal and render the photograph unmarketable.  Enjoy these links to the Infinity Art Gallery Animal Art Exhibit Finalists and this one from our friends at Noupe “If Animals Were Models”.  For anyone who missed it; Peggy Mundell – Photographing Pets article is wonderful.  I’ve also included a link to Get the Red Out! for tips on photographing eyes and avoiding red-eye, as well as a Photoshop tutorial to remove red eye in your digital darkroom.

No excuses now!  Go create brilliant animal imagery for your greeting cards!