How to capture the best images or photos of your Westies

For most West Highland White Terrier owners, the dog is a beloved member of the family. Like your children, you will want to capture images of your Westies from puppyhood to veteran. Getting good photographs of Westies may require a bit of preparation and special knowledge, but even the amateur photographer can get good photographs at home.

Camera angle

A common mistake hobbyists make when taking pictures of their Westies is shooting from a standing position, with the dog on the ground. Although you might get a good picture (showing teeth) or two this way, the best ones are taken from your Westie’s level – down on the floor. Alternatively, for a posed photo, you can lift your dog up on a table or chair. The goal is to capture your West Highland White Terrier from his perspective on life.

Sitting still

Pictures don’t have to be unpredictable, as the dog owner struggles to get the perfect and candid shots. Dogs can be trained and pictures taken in poses if you and your pet prepare. It is best to start when West Highland White Terriers are puppies, getting them used to the equipment and the photo-taking process.

A simple strategy is to take pictures of the dog while he is in his bed. Try placing the bed near a window for natural light. Reward your pet with little treats when he sits still, and he will quickly learn this behavior. It helps to know your dog and his routine. Try to take your pictures at times when your Westie is neither tired nor playful. Capture their attention, to position your head in the direction you want, with interesting sounds, food or a toy.

Turning on

There are two main lighting problems when taking pictures. The first is the camera flash. As with humans, bright lights reflecting off Westie’s eyes produce a blurry red-eye effect.

If the flash can be removed from the camera, set it to the side, where it will not shine directly into the eye. Natural light is the best solution, as is the case with many photo-taking problems, but for indoor photography, increasing the lighting in the room will cause the dogs’ pupils to constrict, making red eyes much less likely. .

The second problem is the coat color of the West Highland white terrier. Solid white reflects all the light towards the camera, often causing the image to be overexposed. If you have the camera and the experience to do it, close your camera aperture one f-stop. Dark-colored dogs, such as Scottish Terriers, have the opposite problem, as the coat absorbs all the light until the detail is lost. The solution is also the opposite: open the aperture a diaphragm.

(Disclaimer: Any information on this site relating to various medical, health and fitness conditions of Westies or other animals and their treatments is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice provided by your own veterinarian. Do not use the information contained herein to diagnose the health of any animal. You should always consult and consult with your own veterinarian or veterinarian.)

Hope you found the article useful.