Computers & Gadgets

Digital cameras have improved a lot over the past years and many can be bought at sensible prices. But if you’re a keen portrait photographer, what camera should you go for?

Well, unless you’re going to print posters, you don’t need to worry about the amount of pixels. They won’t improve your photos, but will allow you to output larger prints. The feature that improves any camera is the lens, a decent lens will do more for the quality of an image than anything else. And the rest of it? They make the whole job easier. Those who have a reasonable budget to spend (£ 700), with the Nikon D90 takes some beating. With 12 megapixels and an ISO range of 100 – 3200, it can take shots in quite low light without a flash or the image going grainy. The wildlife or pet photographer can be confident that they won’t miss that fleeting moment of excitement with the cameras capability of taking 4.5 frames a second.

Even so, there are some useful tips you should know to get the best pet portraits

Be patient. If there is a place were your pet particularly likes to play, leave the camera in the vicinity, it can then be easily found when the moment arises. Plus, make sure you have enough film or memory left in the camera and that the batteries aren’t likely to die as soon as you point the camera!

Composition. If your pet is dark, avoid dingy backgrounds, and similarly lighter coloured pets don’t show up well against light backgrounds and avoid messy or complicated backgrounds

Lighting. If you take the picture in the house, try to choose a room with bright natural light. Early in the morning or evening and overcast days are best, the soft light will compliment your portrait.

Interesting angles. Taking the shots from a low vantage point or strange angle will add a different dimension. A toy can be easily employed as a distraction, if they’re looking in the wrong direction.