Mike_Wacht

Chairman of the Board

I volunteer with a group that does shelter photography for dogs and cats. We go into the local animal shelter bi-weekly and provide professional portraits of th...
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I volunteer with a group that does shelter photography for dogs and cats. We go into the local animal shelter bi-weekly and provide professional portraits of the new animals. The shelter posts our photos on its website to help increase the chances the animal will get adopted. It also shares the photos via social media, and through a local weekly tabloid's website. Our county government TV station also does a regular feature on available animals.

This guy looked so serious in his collar and tie ... so handsome. I could see him staring down some wayward investor or employee.
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Oct, 2018

Views

549

Likes

+19

Awards

Fall Award 2020

Outstanding Creativity

Superb Composition

Peer Award

Absolute Masterpiece

Top Choice

Magnificent Capture

Emotions

Impressed

Top Ranks

Top 10 rank

Top 30 rank

Top 30 rank week 1

Top 20 rank

Top 20 rank week 1

Top 30 rank week 2

Top 30 rank week 1

Behind The Lens

Location

I used to volunteer at the Orange County (Florida) animal shelter, taking photos of shelter dogs to help them get adopted. This was one of our featured adoptable dog photos.

Time

We always shot on Sunday mornings before the shelter opened. This gave us free access to the dogs' kennels without interfering with any potential adoptions.

Lighting

While others shot natural/existing light (we shot in a room with an eastern exposure that was screened-in), I preferred to use a single speedlite through a white umbrella to the dog's left.

Equipment

I shot with a handheld Pentax K-1i, HD Pentax-D FA 24-70mm f/2.8ED SDM WR lens, and Yongnuo YN585EX speedlite.

Inspiration

The whole purpose of this photo was to help the dog get adopted from the county shelter. Our non-profit group did two shoots a week to keep up with the rescued dogs. We were able to reduce the kill rate at the shelter from nearly 50% to less than 10%.

Editing

The non-profit for which I shot had specific standards to make sure all photos looked similar. I adjusted the exposure and white balance to make the background look high-key, and removed some of the shadows and dirt from the vinyl backdrop.

In my camera bag

It depends on which bag, which depends on what I'm shooting. My walking-around bag has my K-1i and HD Pentax-D FA 24-70mm f/2.8ED SDM WR lens, plus a vintage Pentax film camera. My more formal shooting bag contains a Pentax 645Z with smc Pentax FA 75mm f/2.8 and smc Pentax-A 645 35mm f/3.5 lenses.

Feedback

Go visit your local pet shelter and find out if there is an opportunity to photograph shelter animals. Usually, the photos that they have are either cell phone snapshots or quick intake photos in which the dog appears scared, and still might have health issues. Putting a dog on a nice backdrop, adding some gender-appropriate accessories and getting a professional portrait (or three) can increase its attractiveness, which gives it a better chance of getting adopted.

See more amazing photos, follow Mike_Wacht

Mike_Wacht

Mike_Wacht

Chairman of the Board

I volunteer with a group that does shelter photography for dogs and cats. We go into the local animal shelter bi-weekly and provide professional portraits of th... Read more

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow Mike_Wacht

Share photos. Enter contests to win great prizes. Earn coins, get amazing rewards. Join for free.

I volunteer with a group that does shelter photography for dogs and cats. We go into the local animal shelter bi-weekly and provide professional portraits of th...
Read more

Share photos. Enter contests to win great prizes.
Earn coins, get amazing rewards. Join for free.