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Editor’s Note

Welcome to the start of a purr-fectly delightful month here at Digital Camera Warehouse! Our monthly theme for August is all about our beloved Pets, and we can't wait to see your furry, feathery, or scaly friends. This week, we're diving into the wonderfully challenging world of posing your shy pets. It takes patience and a gentle touch, but the results are always heartwarming.

We'll share some tips to help you capture those precious, elusive moments without stressing out your little companions. Don't forget, our monthly photo competition is now open, so start submitting your best pet shots for a chance to win some great prizes - thanks to Joby for helping us out with the prizes this month!

Please note: If you entered our events photography competition last month, we are still sorting through the entries and will be announcing the winners in next week’s edition.

Monthly photo competition

Week 1: Posing your shy pets

This week is all about capturing the quiet charm of shy pets. Show us their gentle personality, curious moments, and the special bond you share.

⚠️ Weekly prompts are just a guide — interpret them your way, as long as your shot captures the spirit of the month's theme.⁠

How to enter:

To participate, simply complete the submission form on our portal on our website. Make sure your entries align with this month's theme. For additional guidance, check the photographic tips below.

Prizes:

1st Prize: Joby Gorillapod 3K Video PRO Valued at $119.95 RRP

2nd Prize: Joby Gorillapod 1K Creator Kit Valued at $59.95 RRP

Deadline:

All entries must be submitted by 2nd August, 2026.

Make sure to read the FAQ on the competition page at the link below to understand all the details and rules of the competition.

We look forward to receiving your photos and celebrating your creativity

An interesting fact about the
Joby Gorillapod 3K Video PRO

The Joby GorillaPod 3K Video PRO is a versatile all-in-one support solution designed for content creators, vloggers, and photographers who need professional performance in a compact, travel-friendly design. Combining the iconic flexible GorillaPod legs with a smooth fluid video head and pan handle, it allows you to capture stable footage, cinematic pans, and creative shooting angles almost anywhere. Whether used as a traditional tripod, wrapped around objects for unique perspectives, or held as a comfortable grip for handheld filming, the GorillaPod 3K Video PRO offers exceptional flexibility while supporting cameras and accessories weighing up to 3kg.

The Best Space Photos of the Year Are Here

The Royal Observatory Greenwich just revealed the shortlists for its annual Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition. Now in its 18th year, the prestigious contest brought in nearly 4,000 entries from amateur and professional photographers across 66 countries.

The judges have narrowed the field down to the top 29 images, with subjects such as the Aurorae, Galaxies, Moon, Sun, and Planets making appearances. Some of the most stunning highlights include:

• An incredible time-lapse showing the path of a supermoon right over the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

• Swirling meteor trails streaking over a field of giant wind turbines.

• Vibrant pink and green northern lights glowing over snowy mountain peaks.

  
  

The category and overall grand prize winners will be announced on September 17.

Capturing our beloved pets in photographs can be a delightful experience, but it often comes with the challenge of coaxing them into a photogenic pose. For those with shyer companions, this can feel like an impossible task. Fear not, fellow pet parents and photographers, as we have some gentle tips to help you get those beautiful, natural shots of your introverted furry friends.

Create a Calm Zone:

Ensure your pet is in a familiar, quiet environment where they feel safe and relaxed, and be prepared to wait patiently for them to settle and show their personality.

Maintain Distance:

A telephoto lens (e.g., 70-200mm) allows you to photograph from a distance, reducing any intimidation from your presence or the camera, resulting in more natural expressions.

Reward Good Behaviour:
Keep favourite treats or toys on hand to gently encourage engagement and reinforce positive interactions, making the photography session a pleasant experience for them.

Eye-Level Perspective:
Lowering yourself to your pet's eye level creates a more intimate and engaging photograph, allowing viewers to connect directly with your shy companion - it often helps your furry friend to feel more at ease in the process.

Capturing your shy pet's personality can be incredibly rewarding! To help them feel comfortable, consider a telephoto lens to maintain distance, or a fast prime lens for beautiful background blur without flash. A quiet shutter mirrorless camera or a camera remote lets you shoot discreetly. Gentle, continuous LED lighting and a portable reflector can beautifully illuminate them without startling.

Don't forget a handy treats pouch for those well-deserved rewards! These tools will help you achieve stunning, stress-free pet portraits.

NEED HELP? TALK TO AN EXPERT 1300 365 220

"The dog is the perfect portrait subject. He doesn't pose. He isn't aware of the camera“

- Patrick Demarchelier

Your photo question of the week:

When photographing a fast-moving pet using a 200mm lens on a full-frame sensor, which combination is most critical to balancing "freezing" the action while maintaining a high-quality, sharp exposure?

A) A shutter speed of 1/500s with an aperture of f/8 to ensure maximum depth of field.

B) A shutter speed of 1/1000s or higher, while prioritising a wider aperture (f/2.8–f/4) to allow for lower ISO values.

C) A shutter speed of 1/200s to utilise the "reciprocal rule" for the 200mm lens, combined with a tripod.

D) A shutter speed of 1/1000s with an aperture of f/16 to ensure the pet’s entire body remains in focus.

Last weeks question:

You are navigating a crowded room during a fast-paced networking event, and you need to move quickly between wide environmental shots and tight, intimate portraits. Given the goal of staying agile and minimising gear changes, which approach to managing your focal lengths is most effective?

Thanks for all your responses to last week's photography question!

The correct answer was C) Carry a standard zoom (e.g., 24-70mm) and a telephoto zoom (e.g., 70-200mm) on two bodies for instant access to a wide range of focal lengths.

This setup is brilliant for photographers who need to switch between wide and telephoto quickly without missing a shot or having to change lenses.

Let's face it. Not all of us are professionals, and even still, pros still need to learn a thing or two about photography or cinematography. That's why we've put together this section. We want to highlight some of the common and not-so-common questions people face when attempting a particular genre.

My cat is super shy and hides whenever I try to take photos. How can I 'pose' her without stressing her out?

For shy pets, the key is patience and making them comfortable. Ditch the idea of traditional posing. Instead, focus on capturing natural moments. Sit quietly in a well-lit area where they often relax. Have treats ready, and your camera pre-set. Let them approach you and use a quieter shutter mode if available. Capture them in their favourite spots, looking relaxed - Sometimes, the best 'pose' is no pose at all.

Reader’s gallery

Navigate to our reader’s gallery to see a selection of entries to help inspire your vision. You can also see the past winners there. Thank you to everyone who sent in their images. We love seeing them!

Sometimes, all we need is some visual motivation, like these images, to spark our creative thoughts. What will you create with your camera this week? Enter your images via our online portal, and we look forward to showcasing them.