How can you get an animal to look toward the camera for a photo?
Asked 1/22/2014
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2 answers
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I’m photographing animals and can sometimes get them to glance toward the camera, but they usually look away almost immediately. Are there any safe, practical ways to encourage an animal to face the camera long enough for a shot, especially for pets or wildlife?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
12y ago
2 Answers
8
Short answer: No.
Staring is something which indicates hostility and even people will look away if you look at them for more than a couple of seconds. Animals will normally go to great lengths and lots of posturing just to avoid a fight since there's little advantage to being the less damaged animal. To them the camera lens looks like one big unblinking eye.
Anything that considers itself potential prey to you will give you a look to see if you're a predator (and run/walk away accordingly) and may give you a second look over their shoulder to see if you're following. Most predators that consider you prey will do the same if they're not trying to figure out how good you'll taste and if they think they can catch you.
You might get some more interest if you're well camouflaged but it won't be much. Using food/bait/scent of some kind between you and the animal may help get a shot of their face if that's your goal.
The only option is to study the animal(s), learn their behaviour, be ready for the moment and get your timing right to catch that split second when they look back.
Originally by user14028. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user14028
12y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
There’s no universal trick. Most animals won’t hold eye contact for long, and with wildlife it’s usually best not to provoke them. A camera lens can seem like a large staring eye, and many animals will look briefly, then turn away or leave.
What works depends on the animal:
- Pets: ask the owner, since behavior varies by species and personality.
- Wildlife: avoid close-range disturbance. Sudden noise, movement, or throwing objects is not recommended and may stress the animal or scare it off.
- Some species may briefly look up if they hear a small sound. For example, deer may pause and look toward you if you are hidden well and not downwind of them.
In general, your best approach is patience, concealment, and readiness. Stay still, minimize reflections and movement, and use a longer lens so you don’t need to get close. For more controlled wildlife images, some photographers use remote cameras and triggers placed in advance, but even then results are unpredictable.
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