Sacar and Indirect Object Pronouns
Is the verb sacar, when used to mean to take a picture of something or someone, one of those verbs that takes an indirect object? If so, then this sentence is probably gramatically incorrect: Ell sacó una foto de su perro. Maybe I'm just using the wrong verb to express the action of "taking a picture" of someone or something. Would appreciate any clarification on this. Thanks.
2 Answers
The use of a verb depends on the necessity of an indirect object. In this case sacar is idiomatic, replacing the verb retratar or fotografiar.
Because a photo is taken of someone, we use an indirect object to indicate of whom or what the photo is taken, so it should be: Él le sacó una foto a su perro.
In this instance le is an optional indirect object pronoun if de su perro is included. The pronoun is mandatory if the indirect object comes before the verb, ie: A su perro le sacó una foto.
Bosquederoble has provided other variants which are correct, but not as commonly used in this case.
In other cases sacar does not use an indirect object, ie: El safado pistolero sacó una pistola y le disparó a toda la gente presente (the gun nut took out a pistol and shot at everyone present). Asi es la vida loca en EEUU.
You can say:
Sacar una foto, tomar una foto, hacer una foto. Your choice depends on regional preference.
None-the-less the direct object is what you take the picture of (remember a preposition in English usually signifies an indirect object) is the indirect object. Still you can use de.
Sacar una foto de algo/alguien. Sacarle una foto. Sacarle una foto a alg/alguien.
Él sacó una foto de su perro. Él le sacó una foto. Él le sacó una foto a su perro.
My opinion as a fellow learner.
