The digital camera is near the top of my favorite contemporary inventions. Current models, with their many bells and whistles, make digital photography a snap.

How many of us remember our 35 mm cameras, instant cameras and disposable cameras? If we wanted an instant picture, we used Polaroids. All these cameras were great to be sure, but now we have the current greatest - the digital camera! Nowadays, picture taking is as easy as point, click and instant gratification. What you see is what you get - almost instantly.

Just a word about flash - The Old Gray Mare likes natural lighting most of all. You know your camera, your potential photo locations and how your dog reacts to the flash. Plan accordingly.

Your subject matter can be as varied as your imagination. This article focuses on taking memorable pictures of your dog. (We'll discuss horse pictures at another time since The Old Gray Mare can never leave the horse subject too far behind.)

Prepare your dog for his 5-minutes of digital camera fame 

My article focus is Doggie - up close and personal. We're not looking for the Niagara Falls scenic shot that just happens to have Doggie in it too. Instead, we want Doggie to be the star - we want to zoom in on Doggie's adorable face and drop-dead gorgeous body.

If you are looking for candid snaps, leave Doggie in his "every-day look." No need to do anything special. You love him just the way he is so take his picture that way.

Perhaps you want more formal results. Take the time to brush your dog's coat. You might give Doggie a bath and give him a spa experience - bath, brush, pedicure (nail polish?). If Doggie just came home from the beauty salon, he's ready for a portrait. Put on Doggie's best collar.

Maybe Doggie is playing dress up in this photo session. Get him into costume or canine duds. Let this be fun for your dog - many don't want to be in clothes. He needs to think he's having a blast.

Select a location for your photo session

Decide whether you are digitizing in the house, outside or at the beach, park, or whatever location. Gather your props such as favorite toys, Doggie's treats, and anything that will work in your pictures.

Set up for your camera session

If you are headed outdoors, have a natural backdrop in mind. Change locations and backdrops as you get ideas but make Doggie the focal point. Doggie should take up the whole frame.

For indoor shots, a sheepskin thrown over a chair as a backdrop is terrific and works well for the small dog. The sheepskin gives texture and shading, can be blurred in extreme face closeups and does not detract from Doggie with color or pattern. The large breeds photograph well on a sheepskin as well; you just place it on the floor and get down to the dog's level.

In The Old Gray Mare's opinion, one of the best spots in the house for photographing Doggie is at the top of the stairs. The flat surface allows dog posing and is not too intimidating for Doggie - he's already used to this area. It's easy to set up a neutral background behind the dog by draping a cloth, sheet or blanket over a chair or two. Here the dog is not out of his element - he's on the floor, you can hold his attention, and he won't be fearful.

Pose your dog

You may have to practice lots of patience during this step. Doggie knows something different is happening and he's anxious. He may not want to prick his ears. He may be asking to get this over with. It's up to you to make him comfortable. Offer his favorite cookie; pat him lavishly. Never raise your voice or intimidate Doggie in any way. If you yell or push him into positions, he'll remember and won't cooperate now or in the future. Make this a pleasant experience from the start.

Don't concentrate on getting the perfect picture. Let Doggie wonder what you are doing and allow him to change position, expression and attitude on his own. His ears will perk if you squeak his toy.

Be innovative. Take profile shots. Take head on shots. Try one looking down at your dog. If you use the top-of-steps suggestion, get some shots of your dog looking down, extending his neck, reaching for something.

Showcase your dog's tricks

If your dog begs or dances on command - or has a special trick - you've got great opportunities for win-win pictures. Give yourself time and many snaps to get the perfect shot.

 Take many pictures  

Then be ready to follow your dog with the camera. Snap pictures often, click away, capture anything and everything. Remember - the pictures aren't costing you anything. You might have to take 25 pictures or more to get even one that may be good. If you are lucky, your dog is a ham and all pictures are cute and adorable. I recommend snapping, snapping and snapping some more. Don't even bother to check what you have taken until you download to your computer. Just bring an extra chip or two along during your digital camera session and be prepared to take heaps of pictures.

View your results  

You're ready to download. Pop them all onto your computer and then critique. Get rid of any that are out of focus, blurred, poor composition, or show half the dog. Now group, edit and name your files. You can crop and compose the remaining pictures. Once you have done all of this, select a few that are favorites. Show them to Doggie - just kidding!

Print a few 

Select the top photos, decide what size suits each picture and print.

Hang in a wall grouping  

When you have several top notch pictures of Doggie, why not show them off in a brag spot on the wall. Make a grouping of your own photographic art.

It doesn't get much better than this! With time, a little forethought, patience and your Doggie, you can come up with the most adorable, totally awesome, greatest-ever dog pictures.

This article and horse articles written by The Old Gray Mare can be found on www.DressYourHorse.com.