I'm New to this Forum. Would like some advice.

[AngieJsPics]

I have been taking photos since I was in middle school. Heck I've had the people whom were printing my photos make copies for them selves. I was a minor then. Now I do it myself. Anyways I would like to know what the best settings are going to be for taking portrates of people and their dogs outside. This is my first event. I will have a blue canopy, for my set up is going to be outside. I'm in Kansas and the event will take place in October. The biggest picture i will print up is 8x10 and the other size will be 4x6. I have an Olympus E500 Digital SLR Camara. Yes, I will have a tripod. my set area is a area. including the space needed for a table for my printer. Thank you for your help.
Angela

[windrider86]

There is no real answer for your question. It depends on how far away from the people/dogs you are going to be. Are they moving? Depends on the light as well.

I like to keep my aperature at about F11-16. Thats changes photo by photo. Best bet is to get out there and practice. Find a non moving subject and take many photos with changing your camera settings on each one.

If in doubt, until you are comfortable use the pre0sets on your camera. Portrait, sports or whatever. You have a good camera there (I have that one as well) and it will treat you right.

[Joey the girl]

I'm not a pet photographer, but I have photographed several of my friends and family members dogs (and my own, of course) and I've learned a couple things.
Most dogs are not very cooperative when it comes to getting their picture taken. Especially in a setting where there is going to be a lot of people and other dogs. Even if you manage to get them sitting still, there's still lots of movement and general wiggly-ness (tail wagging, looking around, etc.), so a faster shutter speed would probably be better.

I don't know how much control you'd have over this, but my next tip is even more important- dogs who have just been exercised take better pictures. The dogs are much more likely to sit still, to be easier to control, and they almost always give you that big happy dog grin with their tongues hanging out. Of course, it is completely up to the owner to get their dog to that point, but if you have someone whose dog is being completely uncooperative, you might want to suggest they take them for a run or something and come back for another try.

Here's a couple pictures I took of my cousin and her dog that illustrate what I mean. The first one is one of the first pictures I took that day, when the dog had not been exercised at all. The second one was after a long walk. Big difference (my cousin's face says it all!)

[JFSanders]

Well shoot missy! Seein as you been takin pictures since 1st grade and all and folks been makin personal copies of your photos. I aint too sure we can tell you anythin you don't already know... Good luck to ya.

[AngieJsPics]

Love the pics! The event is called "Woofstock". It starts off with a walk for all of them. So I'm sure I will have a pretty good day. There are also contests they will be in, and some will just be there walkin around for the fun of it. Thank you all for your help and I will let ya know how it goes! I can't wait!