Hi, I'm new here. When I get home I'll add an avatar and some pics of my trio.

I've been experiencing some problems taking pics of my little black girl. Her coat is shiny and I get absolutely no contrast. So much so, you can't even see her sweet little eyes.

I have a Canon XT Rebel and an zoom/bounce flash attachment that can pivot.

She is such a cute little thing and I really want some good pics of her.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Take her outside late in the afternoon or when it is slightly overcast and meter off of her fur. If you are indoors, you can point your flash to the ceiling and again, meter off her black fur.

These black dogs are even a bit tougher, as you have to not only expose for black, but white. I tend to expose for the highlights and pull the midtones up in photoshop if needed





You can see in this one I blew the highlights on the nose. I can live with it but technically it is wrong



Again, a tough exposure as there is black and white and shadows. Metering for the white is still the safest. If you blow the highlights, forget it



This was done on an overcast day, which is like a giant softbox in the sky.

Yup - this can be very difficult. It may be best to see some images though and we can figure out what can be done to be helpful.

Cheers
James

PS Welcome.

Hido!

I recently added my cats on flickr. Since I come here from time to time enjoying the show, I felt like sharing those pics, even tho I've absolutally no clue about photo techniques and y'all would probably throw my cam in the waste bin.

While posting, I'd like to draw some attention on the issue of mountaintop removal for coal mining. Coal isn't just a polluting and global warming energy source, the mining also pollutes the headwaters of rivers that provide drinking water to millions of Americans; and destroys a distinctly American culture that has endured for generations.
At ilovemountains.org you can take action to stop it.
I feel y'all should know.

Hey Trees,

Glad to see you around! I think my favorite of your photos is Missi #08. She is so perfect and round. Just an FYI, you can get rid of the wierd color in the cats eyes when shooting flash by making sure that the flash is not being fired direct.

James

Tnx James, I'll keep it in mind:)