Black dogs can be notoriously difficult to photograph due to the way their dark fur absorbs light. Many of my dog photography clients have black dogs and have expressed their frustration at trying to take great photos of their pups. Maybe you’re here because you know the struggle is real. No matter how hard you try, your doggo ends up looking like a black blob rather than the gorgeous creature they are.

Here are a few tips and techniques that may help when you’re trying to capture beautiful and striking images of your black dogs with your phone or a mirrorless/dslr camera.

1. Lighting

Contrary to what you might expect, bright overhead sunlight isn’t great for black dogs. In very bright light there’ll be a battle between two extremes - the black of your dog and the white light of the sun. Unfortunately, your photo will always end up on the losing side. Not only will your camera struggle to correctly expose for the bright and dark contrasts in the image there will likely be a very harsh shadow on the underside of your dog’s face.

If you do find yourself with the sun directly overhead (hello, #ColoradoProblems), place your dog in a shaded area and take the photo there. It’s important that your chosen location has soft, even light covering the entire area.

Even light, such as the kind you’d find on a cloudy day, is key.The light will be softer and your subject will be evenly lit. 

2. Find the right background

The right background color is especially important when you’re taking a photo of a black dog. Ideally, you’re looking for colors will contrast with their black fur. If what’s behind them is darks as well the dog won’t pop from the background. 

3. Experiment with different angles

Shooting from above or below can help to add some dimension to the dog's face and make it more interesting. Also, getting closer to your dog will help the details of their cute little face be more visible. 

4. Use a reflector

If you want to get fancy and you’re shooting outdoors, a reflector can help to bounce some light onto the dog and fill in any shadows. A simple and cheap option is to use a white foam board. Although, admittedly trying to hike with one of those would be less than ideal.

5. Editing

Even with the best techniques, you may find that the final photo is still a little too dark. If this is the case, you can try adjusting the brightness and contrast to bring out more detail in the dog's coat by using the photo editing software on your phone or laptop.

6. Pay attention to the eyes

The eyes are the window to the soul, and specially for black dogs, if the eyes are not well lit or are in the shadows, the photo will lack the character that really brings your photo to life. One tip to make the eyes stand out is to take the picture from above. If your dog is looking up at you, the any longer fur around the eyes falls back and leaving the eyes evenly lit from the sky above.

It's important to remember that every dog is unique, so it may take some trial and error to figure out the best way to photograph your particular dog. Get creative and have fun experimenting with different settings and techniques to find what works best for your dog.

If you’re still struggling with getting great photos, hiring a professional photographer with the skills, experience and equipment to create high-quality images can provide you with images that truly capture your dog's unique beauty and personality.