In reading some of the threads that predate my joining this site, I get the impression that there is a focus on keeping dogs' mouths closed, and tongues in.

Is this a breeder / show ring thing, or does it go into pet portraits as well?

I find that an open mouth with a little tongue allows us a bit anthropomorphism and appears to be a smile

I'm not talking about major panting or tongue drooping a foot out of the mouth (though that can be comical too), but just something like Ebony here:



I made this at an adoption event with a D3 and a 70-200 f2.8. We were in semi shade under the overhang of a store on the sidewalk outside. All natural light.

You can get a better "smile" that people fall all over, by getting them to prick their ears and twist their head. I have had many pet people not want to see the dog panting

I'll admit to trying to catch them with a little bit of an open mouth in most cases. The head cock and ear prick is nice too. All those sounds I learned to make as an only child come in handy

I think I got all three here: (forgive the green eyes, gotta fix that )

Hey Jim,

I think that it all is about degree. For example, I think that there is something very nice about a good tongue shot - it often shows an element of happiness and excitement in the dog. However, I have had some labs and other dogs where it was just clear that it was too much - for example, the tongue was absolutely lolling out of the mouth, flat and wide. The ultimate aesthetic was unattractive.

BTW, I love both shots you showed here. Just one critique, you might want to remove the collar/harness when appropriate. I think that they can be distracting on the dog's body.

Cheers
James

Thanks Julie & James.

I agree about the harness and such, but at these adoption events we are in a pet supply store or out in the parking lot. I do edit out leashes as much as I can, but I don't mess with the collars in most cases. I suppose I could mask / clone them out for a few really good images.

Once I get my RV (far in the future) and tent, I'll have a little more leeway on the leash thing.

I have few of those "too much tongue" images too, the look a bit like cows

I've got a slow paced event tomorrow with four new strays for the SPCA. We'll see what I can make of them.

I like to see images with and without tongue, provided it is not extreme. If the mouth is open, I like to put my light low so there are no dark shadows inside the mouth.

I like the expression of both of these images; you seem to use selective focus just as we use in wildlife photography. I have found I prefer a higher f number with my pet photography.

With some dogs I really love to see tongue. On the second image you have posted, I feel this is adorable. But, as we know, the client is always right. Even though I may choose to print differently for a display image. Great question.

Jim,
for show shots, some dogs are supposed to have their tongues out (GSDs, Sammys) and for some it is an acceptable alternative (mostly the working breeds, Newfies, Saints, Rotties and Herding: Corgis egs.). For all the others, mouths closed if possible.

Now, if you're shooting outdoors in 95 degree weather, you're not going to get many closed mouths even with lemon water spray. It ain't gonna happen.

With pets or dogs for pet portraits, getting a closed mouth is even more difficult. You'll notice when I pose Rowdy outdoors, I have no problem with him "smiling" to show off that black mouth. He has good pigment and even breeders can appreciate that. But in the studio, I always try to get some with the mouth closed. I personally like a smiling dog and I find that when they smile the eyes twinkle a bit. But, as Peggy Sue says, it all comes down to what the owner wants.

With that in mind, it's a good idea to figure out how to get a dog to close their mouth when you're shooting them. There are all kinds of physical tricks but it comes down to what will work for each individual dog.

Jim

Thanks everyone (for some reason, I didn't get notice of replies). And the images seem to have disappeared?

John, I'll attribute some of the shallow DoF to my wildlife photography side, and some of it to the limits of lighting conditions. I need to get a couple good portable strobes. Most of my SPCA photos are natural light, and most of the others are inside stores with the exception of my HART shoot last weekend.


Peggy, absolutely the client is right. I'm thinking of having samples of each way (and other ideas) to see which ones clients like.

Jim, Good to know about which dogs are supposed to have tongues out. It's all in the details.

Is there much debate over the issue of how to get a dog to close it's mouth, have a wet nose or whatever? I mean do folks argue over what methods are acceptable and which are cruel etc?

Thanks
Jim

Quote:

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Is there much debate over the issue of how to get a dog to close it's mouth, have a wet nose or whatever? I mean do folks argue over what methods are acceptable and which are cruel etc?

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Oh, please. Jim, there is no debate over it because nobody on this forum would ever do anything to an animal that was cruel in any way. I spend half of my life rescuing Rotties that have been abandoned. I don't hurt dogs. Period. And nobody else on this forum would either.

I would, however, stick my hand in a dog's mouth to keep it from sticking its tongue out. Now, some might say that is "cruel" but I doubt it hurts the dog that much. I would also use a spray bottle with a bit of lemon mixed with water. I would use a fan to cool the dog. I would turn my airconditioning in the studio to a very cool 65 degrees.

For a shiny black nose, I'd use vasoline. The dogs lick it off within 10 minutes. All methods are acceptable if you don't hurt the dog. It's all in the details. Knowing what works and what is harmless. And if you don't know those things then you need to learn them.

Jim