The object of this exercise is to produce an image that is pleasing to the eye and easy to print. Take care in the beginning and then you won't have to do much difficult darkroom or photoshop correction to hide any lack of photo skills.

This photo of Maggie was taken using 2 strobes firing through 2-20 inch umbrellas. The lights were arranged in the Rembrandt style with one strobe on axis with the camera and the other at a 45 ° angle to the first to act as a fill light. I also used a "hair light" above Maggie and I metered with a flash meter to set the exposure. A motor drive on my camera speeded things up. Maggie needs to be bribed for these productions. I "talk" to her in an animated manner to keep her attention. I put her on the couch with an old blue blanket. Yes, Maggie can use the couch and she likes to sit in my place on the couch when I'm not there. Just another challenge to the alpha male.

 How to do it

As with any kind of model photography, have all lights and props set up before you bring your dog onto the set. Color negative film is the best choice as it is more forgiving for exposure errors. I use a Porta Master 400 strobe and mount the fill light on a tripod light stand. You must measure the exposure at the subject position and measure each light separately by using your hand to shield the meter from the other lights. I adjust the main light to give 2 more f stops of light than the fill light. Thus, if the exposure for the main light read f11, adjust the power or distance of the fill light so that its exposure is f5.6. This will add a slight shadow on the right side rather than an uninteresting flat even exposure. Similarly, the hair light is used to simulate an overhead sun to high light the top of the head. Set the power or distance of the hair light to give an exposure 1-2 f stops more light than the main light. Look at head shots in magazines or talking heads on TV to see examples of the hair light in use. The top of the head is always lighter from the use of the hair light. The hair light also adds separation of the subject from the background and adds dimensionality to the picture.

  Either flash or incandescent lights can be used. If you use flash, you will get a soft look by flashing the strobe through a white umbrella. But then you must use a flash meter. This is a meter designed to measure exposure of a flash. If you use incandescent, lights make sure the film is balanced for the type of lamp used. Incandescent lights are hot, and your dog may not like that.