How NOT to Photograph an Alligator

Posted on January 17, 2012 by Terry Berenson

When I decided to spend two winter months in a house Florida instead of my Manhattan apartment, I was excited by the prospect of photographing the many different birds that are indigenous to the western coast of the state.  I planned to find a bird-watching group, use my 300 mm lens and have a field day (no pun intended!)

So, imagine my surprise today, while playing 18 holes of golf on a lovely local course, to come upon this sleeping alligator!

Not what you expect playing a round of golf

He was literally 15 yards from the tee box on the 8th hole.  With nothing but my IPhone camera, I did the best I could.  But I wasn’t about to risk getting any closer.  They actually have warnings all over this area about not letting your dog drink from the canals or streams because they could be taken by an alligator.

As a professional animal photographer, I’m not thrilled with this photo – so I thought I’d share two others that I shot at the San Diego Zoo a few months ago.

He looks pretty friendly, don't you think?

I used my Nikon 24-70 lens at 70 mm to photograph this big guy and I don’t know about you, but I think he’s posing and thinking, “CHEESE.”

Must be hard to see straight with eyes facing the opposite direction!

When photographing dogs, I always focus on their eyes to make sure their warmth and “humanness” shines through in the final image.  I tried to do the same with this handsome alligator, but it’s hard to capture compassion when an animal is looking sideways instead of into the camera!  Yet there is still something so magical about him…he really looks like a creature Maurice Sendak could have made up.

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Happy Holidays to All

Posted on December 24, 2011 by Terry Berenson

My pets, Alfie, Mitzi, Natasha and Sabrina, are helping me wish you all a great holiday.  They are all pretty tired of me following them around the apartment with my camera – and have even less patience for holiday props – so these are not “portfolio” shots.  But in the holiday spirit, I present them as their perfectly imperfect selves.

Natasha in an obvious Photoshopped image. I'd never put her so close to fire!

Sabrina, our other Norwegian Forest cat, is a total mush pot.  Unlike most cats I’ve met, both Natasha and Sabrina are incredibly affectionate and follow us around like puppy dogs. Unfortunately, both of these beautiful cats have cancer so we cherish every day with them.

Sabrina, our Norwegian Forest Cast, wishes you a Merry Christmas!

Alfie and Mitzi, my goldendoodle and miniature dachshund, are as opposite as too dogs can be.  Alfie is big and light; Mitzi small and dark.  Alfie is really well trained; Mitzi has dementia so her behavior is unpredictable and often infuriating. Alfie is a picky eater; Mitzi will eat anything not nailed down.  But they are both soooo sweet, and I feel incredibly grateful for these amazing pets.

Happy, healthy New Year to all of you and your wonderful pets!

Mitzi, my dachshund with dementia, who I love so much even when she drives us crazy.

Alfie is a big, goofy dog whose whole goal in life is to be loved.

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DOG PHOTOGRAPHY IN CUBA: A NEW YORKER’S EXPERIENCE

Posted on November 21, 2011 by Terry Berenson

 

 

 

 

I’ve just returned from a photographic tour of Cuba and feel privileged to have visited there before the floodgates open and tourism inevitably changes the place.

 

Blogging from Cuba is nearly impossible because there is literally no private internet access except at the most elite hotels.  It was a great lesson in patience and acceptance for me…and by the end of my time there, I was loving not feeling addicted to my IPhone – and walking streets without seeing every person either texting, emailing or talking into a cell phone.

There are so many dogs in Cuba, they are as ubiquitous as the 1950’s cars everyone talks about.  My next blog will show some amazing vintage automobiles, but today I want to celebrate the four-legged creatures who somehow manage to survive in this country of poverty and neglect.

Most Cubans live in hardship, without basics like soap and pens or pencils, yet they are gentle, fun-loving and gracious.  While wandering around Havana, Trinidad and Cienfeugos, I kept seeing families where children were treated with warmth and humor.  These kids seemed genuinely happy, despite their lack of anything material.  So I wasn’t surprised that even the scrawniest stray dogs I met weren’t either extremely shy or terribly mean spirited.  They walked the streets and alleys with what I can only describe as optimism.

Some dogs are lucky enough to find caring owners like this one:

Some aren’t.

One of the highlights of my trip to Cuba was being invited to the home of renowned photographer Ernesto Rodriguez, and meeting his dog Max.  It’s hard to see in this photo but Max has one blue eye and one brown eye – very exciting to a dog photographer like me!

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ANIMAL WISDOM: Softcover Edition Now Available

Posted on October 24, 2011 by Terry Berenson

The reviews on my coffee table book, ANIMAL WISDOM, have been great.  And now, I’ve created a softcover edition to make it easier for lots of people to enjoy the same wonderful quotations and photographs that appear in the hardcover version.

All proceeds from the sale of either book go to animal rescue organizations. So it not only makes a terrific holiday or birthday gift, it also helps a lot of animals in need.

Check out this preview:

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ANIMAL PHOTOGRAPHY: TO CROP OR NOT TO CROP

Posted on October 10, 2011 by Terry Berenson

One of the first things I learned in photography class was to crop out unnecessary visuals that distract from the main subject of my image.  Here’s an example from a recent trip to the Zion Mountain Ranch http://zmr.com/.  The first image was everything I caught in the lens. The cropped version is more refined, having deleted the unnecesary area on the right hand side.

This uncropped photo has a lot of unnecessary, boring imagery

The cropped version focuses attention on the buffalo, where it belongs

But cropping can do so much more to improve your photography. Cropping is really about perspective – something I can’t always think about while on a fast-pace animal shoot.  For example, when I was shooting these horses in their pasture, I thought the open space around them would set the scene I had in mind.  But while working on the image, I realized it was the relationship of the mare and her foal that I wanted to be the focus of my shot.  Cropping made this possible.

This uncropped version is nice, but who wants nice?

 

The cropped version has greater impact, drawing your attention to the foal's face.

When photographing pets, cropping can be the difference between a mediocre image and a great one.  Cropping very close in on a dog or cat’s face is often the only way to capture their unique expression and personality.  The first shot of this beautiful wolf-dog is interesting, but when I crop close around his face, you can better appreciate his intelligence and gentle alertness, characteristic of this hybrid breed.

THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN YOU CROP A PHOTOGRAPH:

  1. Duplicate the image before you crop it so you have the original full size.
  2. Remember that standard print sizes (4×6, 5×7, 8×10, 11×14, etc.) are the least expensive way to print your images at photo labs or websites. If you crop your image in a non-standard size, you might have to use a pricier specialized photo lab or website.
  3. Experiment with different ways of cropping before you make your final selection. You’ll be amazed at how many ways there are to crop a photograph to get different results.

 

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Dog Photography: One Month at a Time

Posted on October 1, 2011 by Terry Berenson

From now until October 14th, these two images are on exhibit at Calumet Gallery, 22 West 22nd Street, 2nd floor, as part of the PWP Altered Reality photography show.  So many people commented on the humor in the photos, I thought I would offer them for sale as prints or note cards.

Both of these images are part of a 12-month calendar shoot I did in 2010 for a medical testing firm that had a black Labrador Retriever as it’s mascot.
http://www.akc.org/breeds/labrador_retriever/    The bus photograph was for the month of September, representing the first day of school.  I created this composite in Photoshop, using a photo of the bus as a background shot, and then 6 separate studio shots of the dogs and the red backpack.  Then lots of careful cutting and pasting to put each animal in the right perspective to the others.

The image below was obviously for November.  It’s funny how many people ask me how I got the dogs to pose so well.  It’s a great compliment, but I can tell you that it would be impossible for even the greatest dog whisperer to get 8 dogs to sit still and pose with a 15 pound turkey sitting less than a foot away.  I almost feel sad having to tell them the truth – that I shot the dining room curtains as one shot, the table with food and drinks as another and then each of the dogs alone in a studio.  If you ever try something like this, make sure you have the chairs in place for the background shot, and then put the dogs on the chairs without having to move them from the first set up.

If you’re interested in buying either of these photos as prints or notecards, please send me a comment – or drop an email to terry.berenson@gmail.com – and I ‘ll get back to you with prices and delivery.

I look forward to hearing your comments.  And look for more calendar images in future blogs.

 

 

 

 

 

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Dog Photography Locations: Think Before You Act!

Posted on September 5, 2011 by Terry Berenson

Joe, a beautiful dog I couldn't wait to photograph

For weeks I had been looking forward to photographing Joe, an absolutely gorgeous Afghan Hound.  His owner, Michael and I had agreed that we would shoot in Central Park at one of my favorite spots, the Pool, where giant weeping willow and oak trees create the perfect shaded area for pet photography.

 

 

 

Joe and Michael arrived, and as we walked up to west 103rd street where the pool is located, www.centralparknyc.org/visit/things-to-see/north-end/pool.html.  I got more and more excited watching Joe’s beautiful long blond hair float in the breeze.  I was planning to do a couple of hours of photographing him running as well as sitting for his portrait. We got there and Michael positioned Joe near the water so I could set my exposure and decide the best place for some shots of him sitting.  Joe’s stature is so regal, it’s hard to imagine a bad shot of him.

I shot two frames, and all of a sudden two ducks near us started quacking.  Joe took one look at them and jumped in the lake!  He clearly didn’t realize what he was doing because the minute he hit the water, he turned around and got out as fast as he could, dripping wet and looking nothing like his gorgeous self.

Michael felt terrible, but I just laughed and thought what a great blog it would make.  And what a great lesson I’d learned about how not to pick a location for an animal photography shoot!

To find out more about magnificent Afghan Hounds, www.akc.org/breeds/afghan_hound/.

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Christmas in September: Pre-Holiday Pet Photography Sale Starts Today

Posted on August 31, 2011 by Terry Berenson

 

Now is the best time to think about pet photography, to turn an image of your beloved dog or cat into a beautiful holiday card or gift.  Photo sessions reserved before September 30th will receive a 20% discount.  The photo session itself can take place any time up until November 31st – but the reservation must be confirmed before the end of September.

We’re offering this 20% discount to encourage pet owners not to wait until the last minute for pet photography holiday cards. Don’t add another stressful “To Do” to an already crowded holiday shopping and preparation list, when you can take care of your pet photography months ahead in a relaxed fun photo session.  Even more important, you’ll have plenty of time to review the photos and pick the ones you want to use without any time pressure.

 To see additional images – and find our contact information – visit www.terryberenson.com.  Please don’t wait to book your photo session.  September 30th will be here before you know it, and we want you to take advantage of this once-a-year discount.

While we’re on the subject of holidays, consider my book, ANIMAL WISDOM, as a unique gift for the pet lovers on your list.  To preview the book and buy a copy, please visit http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1799290.

HURRY – SALE ENDS SEPTEMBER 30, 2011!

 

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Shooting Hunting Dogs (Pun Intended)

Posted on July 24, 2011 by Terry Berenson

In photography, being in the right place at the right time is really important. On a recent vacation in Virginia with my husband Bob, I had the great fortune of accidentally running into a pack of gorgeous foxhounds (foxhound) that I got to shoot. I really wish there was a better synonym for photograph!

I didn’t really run into them.  But I was in my car, on my way to visit Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello plantation.  We were pulling out of our hotel driveway, and I looked out the side window and saw dozens of foxhounds calmly walking down a beautiful country road, with only one man walking ahead of them. They were obviously very well trained as they walked together in one manageable group.  We didn’t have time to stop – and I didn’t have a long lens on my camera – but I shot several images out of the car window and was thrilled just watch these beautiful creatures.

After our tour of Monticello (which was a fantastic experience on many levels,) we returned to our hotel and Bob asked the concierge who the dogs belonged to, and if his wife, (“a famous New York dog photographer”) could come over and photograph them.

A few hours later, I was at the Keswick Hunt Club(keswick). Politically and emotionally, I’m completely against hunting of any kind – including non-shooting fox hunting. But I let go of my soapbox long enough to get some great shots – and to learn a lot talking with the gracious hunt master.  It was clear that every one of the dogs was relaxed and comfortable in their spacious indoor/outdoor habitat.  And they walk to a huge field for exercise twice a day. The highlight was seeing a proud new mom with her tiny babies.  I hope you agree she is truly magnificent.

The next morning we woke up early to walk with the dogs to their playing field.  Trying to photograph them there was an exercise in futility.  They just don’t slow down long enough to get a good shot.  But it was great fun and I hope to get back there again soon.

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Dancing Dogs – Funny Video!

Posted on July 18, 2011 by Terry Berenson

Check this video out. I got such a kick out of it – beautiful dog in a completely choreographed dance with his master. And “she” looks like she is having a great time!

Click here for funny video of dancing dog

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