dog sheet set
dog sheet set
NEED some advice with picture!?
I have a quick question!
I am trying to get a good picture of my dogs that look like this picture:
http://www.worldofstock.com/slides/PPT2187.jpg
A white background, with bright lighting that brings out the features and eyes of the dog. I was wondering if you guys could tell me how I could set this up at home fairly cheaply. I was thinking about laying a very white sheet over some sort of holder, and using some lights from home depot that shine pretty brightly. I am just not too sure what sort of lights to use, or what settings to use on my camera. ( I have an Olympus E510 DSLR).
Could you guys recommend what setup to use at home to get this effect, and what lighting and where I should place it??
THANKS!
Yes, you can use such a background and those lights. Exposure is what is going to be the key to a good photo. If you want the background to be white, you are going to have to overexpose the background in relation to your subject, (dog). You will need to have light directed onto the background ideally at higher power than on the dogs. You must then meter your exposure off the DOG. Do not allow the camera to automatically expose for the entire scene. It will read the white background and your dogs will be WAY underexposed.
Do one of two things after the lights are set up. Move in very close to the dogs until they fill the entire frame of the viewfinder. You do not want the camera to read any of the white background. Take note of the shutter speed and aperture readings. I suggest you use aperture priority and set a fixed aperture of about f4. Then let the camera determine shutter speed with the dogs filling the frame. Then manually set this shutter speed into the camera so the proper exposure will be locked in for the dogs.
…. or….
If you camera has a spot meter function, use that to obtain correct exposure on the dogs only.
So your goal is to be SURE the camera is properly exposing for the dogs ONLY. The extra light on the white background will have it be overexposed and fully white.
Since you are dealing with dogs, you should try to get a shutter speed of no less than 1/100 of a second if they will remain relatively still. You may have to raise your ISO if your exposure readings are giving you a low shutter speed such as 1/30 or slower. You will have blur in the photo if the dogs move any at all at a slow shutter speed.
I suggest you use some “dummy” subject under your lighting until you get everything all worked out. The dogs will not likely be real patient while you are trying to sort out your exposures!
Good luck to you.
steve
House Train a Dog – Quick Help
The good news is that you can house train a dog (an adult dog that is) fairly quickly…faster than puppies anyway…the bad news is, you’ve got to be consistent and actually do the work because your dog won’t have a clue what to do.
So how do you get started?…I thought you’d never ask.
1. Set Up “His Space”
Create an area where you can confine your pooch…you’ll use it for those times when you’re away or when you don’t want to be keeping a close eye on him…make sure a large part of that space is covered with newspapers too (about 3 sheets thick).
When (not if) he uses the papers, clean up the mess and replace the papers as soon as you can…but place one of the soiled papers right in the middle of the new batch…this will help build the “here is where I go” idea in his brain. Over time (maybe days, maybe weeks) his “aim” will improve and you’ll be able to reduce the papered area to maybe just a single sheet.
2. Create a Feeding & Watering Routine
Your best partner in house training your buddy will be setting up and sticking to a feeding and watering schedule…feed and water him at the same times every day no exceptions…no snacks in between; no special treats (until he’s trained)…in this way his body will automatically respond to the schedule and be predictable…this will help you immensely with your house training.
3. Observe, Observe, Observe
Keep an eye on him at all times (when he’s not in “his space”)…now that he’s on a schedule, you’ll find out that Fido will need to “go” shortly after each feeding session, and perhaps shortly after each watering session and maybe a few more unpredictable times…watch him closely and learn what his body language is when he needs to relieve himself…is he suddenly restless; is he sniffing around; is he (and wouldn’t this be great?) scratching at the door?
4. Do Your Leg Work
When he “shows the signs,” put him on a leash and get your legs workings…take him outside to the place you want him to use. Make sure this is the same place every time…don’t confuse him by switching it around on him.
Be patient and while he’s sniffing around, repeat a command he can associate with this behavior in the future…use something like “go, go, go” or “time to go boy,” etc…then when he finally “goes,” make sure to give him a lot of praise and strokes…you want him to associate that praise with his actions so his little doggie brain will remember “Go Outside = Good Stuff”
5. Correcting Mistakes
If he goes “where no dog has gone before,” immediately, make eye contact with him and correct him with a firm “No” then lead him to the place you want him to use (either outside or to his “papers”)
But you must remember (and never forget) you can only correct him if you catch him in the act…if it’s any later, even just seconds later, your correction won’t work; he won’t make the connection you want…in fact, it will have a negative impact…so, if you miss your chance, you’ll just have to be more vigilant and catch him the next time.
But once the deed is done, clean up the mess completely and remove the odor completely too, because it will be the smell that brings him back to that spot for a return visit.
6. Keep Your Attitude Positive
Keep in mind that house training any dog takes time…it could take weeks…some dogs will be able to control themselves sooner than others and some will learn what you want from them sooner than others. If you want to be successful in the shortest amount of time, it’s up to you to maintain the right attitude and be persistent and consistent so your buddy has the best chance to learn.
I hope this helps…thanks for reading.
Did you know that to house train a dog is just the first training step you’ll take with your pooch? Need help taking the next steps? Then check out The-Dog-Zone.net.
About the Author
Michael Royce is an amateur dog trainer who has lived with, trained, (and been trained by) more than a dozen dogs in the last 25 years. He is a regular contributor to several websites including The-Dog-Zone.net