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Things happen quickly with pets, as do their owners reactions to them. After Brendan Frasers dogs got a taste of each other, little Wiley went for a taste of Fraser. Shoot quickly and often. Theres no such thing as a wasted roll of film when you can extract one or two shots like these.

Had they been sharply in focus, the vertical fence lines would have been too much competition even for the lovely Rose McGowan and her English Bulldogs. If your camera has a portrait setting, it will automatically use a large lens opening (aperture) so that only your subject is sharp. The closer you are, the better this works for throwing the background out of focus.

The winsome smiles of Janeane Garofalo and her mixed-breed, Dew, would have been hopelessly out of focus had Ameruoso blithely relied on his cameras auto-focus system. Most cameras use a central spot to determine the distance. In this case, it would have measured and thus focused on the wall between the two subjects. Since two-shots are among the most frequently taken photographs, the problem is common. The solution? Most cameras allow you to prefocus or lock focus by aiming the central spot at one of the subjects typically the one closer to you. Then push the shutter release button halfway down, and hold it while you recompose your shot.

If you think red eye looks good on people, youre gonna love what it does to dogs! Most animals have extraordinarily large pupils (the better to see you with, my dear?), and any flash going off in the same county will turn the pets eyes into glowing orbs. Ameruoso shoots in black and white, but the effect would still ravage his photos, and it might startle the animal as well. He took advantage of soft natural lighting on the photogenic faces of David Arquette, Courteney Cox Arquette and their Burmese Mountain Dog. If before reading this advice of course some of your pictures have been marred by the dreaded red eye, take a look at PIC Picks [LINK] for special pens and stickers that can help save the shots.

The love between people and their animals often is best depicted in tight close-ups. Ameruosos photos of musician Fred Durst and actor Dean Cain with their dogs demonstrates the power of the extreme close shot. Focus is critical when you get this close: try to keep both subjects equally distant from the camera, and focus on the eyes.

The love between people and their animals often is best depicted in tight close-ups. Ameruosos photos of musician Fred Durst and actor Dean Cain with their dogs demonstrates the power of the extreme close shot. Focus is critical when you get this close: try to keep both subjects equally distant from the camera, and focus on the eyes.

The perky foreground flowers seem to mirror Kate Hudsons mirthful mood as she cuddles her Jack Russell Terrier, Snoopy. Had the flowers been fully in focus, though, they would have competed with the subjects for the viewers attention. Notice how well balanced Ameruosos composition seems, even with the subjects at the far right of the frame.

Everything in this composition draws your gaze to the center of attention: Bo Derek and her German Shepard, Cifi. Granted, it would be pretty hard not to draw attention to the statuesque Derek and her magnificent pet. But, Ameruosos lens captured a near-textbook example of leading lines. Notice how nearly everything the slope of Bos back, her hair, even Cifis paws and the background foliage subtly leads your eye to the faces of the subjects.

Ice-Ts Pit Bulls, One-Eighty-Seven and Assassin, would seem to have no problem keeping your attention riveted. But Ameruosos choice of a very low camera position accentuates the triangle formed by the dogs and Ice-T to give a sense of menace to this photo. The tilt of the wall- and door lines adds a further tension. To see other examples of how effective this device can be, take a look at just about any Alfred Hitchcock film. By the way, Ameruoso said that his book contains a shot of Ice-T and his dogs smiling. Ill believe that when I see it.

Animals can be adorable, cuddly, cute and precious. Dont ever forget, though, that they are still animals. Their behavior can be unpredictable, especially amongst strangers or if startled. Dont take undue risks, and always have a fallback strategy. When Chris Ameruoso lay down on the ground to photograph Tippi Hedren and one of her Tigers, Hedren quietly but firmly cautioned, I wouldnt do that if I were you. The rule of thumb might be, The bigger the animal, the longer the lens!

Hedren operates the non-profit Shambala Preserve (SEE LINK BELOW) to provide a home for animals that have grown up in captivity and couldnt survive if released into the wild.

Okay, maybe only Chris Ameruoso would say to Pamela Anderson, Thanks for agreeing to the shoot. Now would you mind joining your pet in the doghouse? But its exactly that kind of bold approach thats needed to move your photography beyond the expected. By exploring unusual positions, situations and juxtapositions of the person and the pet, youre liable to come up with a whole crop of fresh and exciting photos. Who knows; one may even find itself on the cover of a book like this Ameruoso shot which adorns the cover of his book, Pets and their Celebrities. As you photograph your pet, keep in mind that it doesnt require a fancy camera or that you be a master photographer. It does take a lot of film, a lot of patience, and a lot of love. Combine those ingredients, and the great pictures will almost take themselves.

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