When Bobby Haas snaps a photo of a cat, it's usually a big cat. A really big cat.
Haas is a wildlife photographer for the National Geographic Society, and his latest book, "African Critters," is filled with amazing photos of cheetahs, lions, leopards and a host of other wild animals.
Photography 101
Haas says that photographing your own pets isn't all that different from wildlife. You just don't have to go half a world away to do it.
One common tip Hass gives is to stay far enough away from the action that you don't disturb your subjects.
"Just be very, very patient, and eventually the animals will probably just ignore you." That, he says, is the key to getting the most natural and candid shots.
Haas has the following tips for pet owners wanting to take great snapshots of their own critters:
- Take photos of your dog outdoors instead of indoors. The lighting is usually better and your dog's behavior will be more natural. The various sights, sounds and smells will attract your pet's attention, so you should be able to get some interesting shots. Just make sure you're in an enclosed space, or your dog is on a leash, to keep him safe during your photo session.
- Keep the sun, or a light source, at your back so it lights up your pet. If your pet is in shadows, the image is likely to be too dark.
- If you have more than one pet, try to photograph them together when they're wrestling or playing.
- Squat down or lie down in the grass or on the floor so you're at the same level as your pet, rather than shooting down at him.
- Try to anticipate what your pet is going to do and be ready for that special shot.
- Keep snapping away on that shutter button. Don’t worry about how many pictures you take. You’ll only keep the ones you like anyway, especially with a digital camera. If you see a cute pose, snap shots until the pose changes. You don’t want to miss the best expression or most interesting movement.
Practice Makes Perfect
Haas adds that even if you're not an experienced photographer, don't be intimidated. As they say, "practice makes perfect."
Haas should know. When he went on his first African safari in 1994, he didn't even own a camera. "I decided to buy a very basic automatic camera, just to record a few pictures and have mementos of the trip."
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| Haas suggests taking photos of your dog outdoors rather than indoors.©iStock.com |
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Photography has since turned into his second career. Haas has published five books on African wildlife and two best-selling collections of aerial photography. A feature about Haas on CBS News Sunday Morning showed him hanging out the open door of an airplane, secured by a harness, to get dramatic shots of the landscape far below.
Adventures in Africa
Haas has had some hair-raising moments in the course of taking the photos contained in "African Critters," some of which are recounted in the book. He tells a story of being charged by some elephants who were trying to protect a baby elephant in the herd, and of barely escaping an angry hippo who was preparing to ram his boat.
But even a few close calls couldn't dampen Haas' enthusiasm for Africa's animals. "I simply fell in love with Africa and the animals," he says about his first trip. "There was a sense that I was watching something beautiful and natural and timeless, that I was observing things that you could have seen thousands or even tens of thousands of years ago."
A Love of Wildlife
One of the reasons Haas authored "African Critters" was to instill that love of African wildlife, and all animals, in young people, who he believes play the most important role in taking care of our planet and its animals.
"Kids are just adults waiting to happen. It's a natural instinct to love creatures. If you can keep than in your heart as you grow older, you'll make a positive impact on this world."
"African Critters" is filled with beautiful photos and true stories of the animals Haas encountered during his adventures. It's sure to encourage appreciation for wildlife in all who read it, and that's a much needed result, according to HSUS President and CEO Wayne Pacelle, who wrote the book's foreword.
"Now, more than ever, the survival of wild animals depends on our defense of their right to live in harmony with people," Pacelle writes. "My hope is that Mr. Haas' writings and photos inspire children and adults alike to safeguard all wild creatures for their own sake and for the benefit of future generations."
Haas is a staunch support of non-profit organizations helping to safeguard the world's animals. All the royalties from "African Critters" will be donated to The Humane Society of the United States.
The book is available from the National Geographic Society.
