Pets, generic animals or any wildlife in general all need special camera settings. Our furry feathered friends do not pose or hang out for very long. So you need to be quick. With this in mind, I feel, camera settings for pets, your shutter speed needs to be king. The following is my recipe (using a Canon Rebel all the way up to a Canon 7D) to capture those critters.
Exhibit A:
Buddy is playing tug in ideal lighting; normal daylight.
Therefore set your camera to:
ISO 200 f4.0 ss 1/640
If the light from your surroundings does not allow for this setting, we need to get to work.
The following are all without a flash, using a Canon 5D.
Buddy ISO 1000 f2.8 ss 1/400
Buddy ISO 640 f2.8 ss 1/400
Maddox ISO 3200 f2.8 ss 1/400
Daphney ISO 1250 f2.8 ss 1/400
Your shutter speed needs to be 1/400 or higher. While the aperture should be no lower than f2.8.
Don’t be afraid to take your ISO over 1600 to get that shutter speed and aperture combination. This will all depend on your camera body, the power of your lens and surrounding light. If you cannot get (f2.8 ss 1/400) with your ISO at it’s highest number, than your captures will be, well, sucky. You will need a flash.
Daphney ISO 1000 f2.8 ss 1/40
Opps.
Good luck… let me know in the comments if you have any question or would like other camera settings – I would be happy to share.
ISO 6400 f16 ss 1/25
Hand Held Baby {while holding my breath}!
Michelle Weisenberg says
So, are those in AV, or Tv?
Sarah says
I so needed this for the kids jumping off the diving board.
Kathleen says
Very good question! On your camera, AV is aperture the “f” setting. While the TV is the shutter speed ie “ss” shown above.
Kathleen says
You are welcome!