Spring 2016  Saber Tails 23    

Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen Club of America

Indoor Dog Photography

by Bob Cohen

I 

wrote previously about photographing dogs out-

doors.  In that article I said photography is about 

light. And it’s light - the kind, quality, and amount, 

that largely differentiates indoor and outdoor pho-

tography.

O

utdoors we have illumination provided by the 

sun.  Indoors there can be illumination from 

the sun or artificial light.  Windows or skylights let 

in the light from outdoors and can provide marvel-

ous light for photos near the window.  Blinds or 

curtains should be open to let in more light. The 

light can vary depending on the weather outside, 

the season and the time of day.  My dogs love to 

sit on the armrest at the end of a couch that is next 

to a large window at the front of the house.  That 

window faces west and, in the afternoon, it lets in 

a surprising amount of light.  Over the years I’ve 

taken photos of each of my dogs on that couch 

as they watch the outside (one of their favorite 

activities) and are illuminated by the light coming 

through the window.  That location is a favorite of 

mine in the winter with snow outside.  The snow 

acts as a reflector and light softener, making the 

quality of the light less harsh and more attractive.

A

t the other end of the harshness scale lie pho-

tos I’ve taken of my dogs on the floor in pools 

of sunlight coming through the windows.  This 

light tends to be contrasty and somewhat harsh, as 

it spotlights the dog in the warm light.

A

s in the earlier article, I’ll mention general 

approaches that can work with any camera, 

whether it is a separate camera or a camera built 

into a cell phone, as well as technical suggestions 

that apply mainly to interchangeable lens cameras.  

If you’re using a cell phone or point-and-shoot 

camera, just ignore my discussions of technical 

settings.  

W

hether direct sunlight or more diffuse light, I 

prefer natural or room light (available light) to 

flash when feasible.  It tends to give a more natural 

appearance and sometimes flash can bother the 

dogs.  Also, some cameras provide a preflash which 

Bernie and Kiki singing

Taffy Yawning