Aww. How CUUTE!! The usual response we receive from showing off our beloved kitty-cats in photos. But what if you don’t want to capture “cute”? What if your feline friend is anything but cute? Like humanoids, pet cats are a curious bunch with many aspects to their personalities and quirks that manifest from the tilt of their ears to the tautness of their whiskers.
With strong, flexible bodies, quick reflexes, sharp retractable claws, and teeth adapted to killing small prey, cats became cult animals in ancient Egypt. And no wonder: they use their acute hearing and ability to see in near darkness to locate their quarry. So talented.
Sometimes, and just because he can, your pet will turn on his inner bobcat, or cheetah; cougar, or jaguar; kitten, leopard, lion, lynx, panther, puma, tabby, tiger, or sexy tomcat…
McDreamy. KODAK DX6490 ZOOM f/2.8; Exposure Time 1/60sec
But how to best capture their inner kitty god or goddess? Here are some tips.
Start with kitty’s personality: Ask yourself ‘what sets her apart from other cats?’ Attempt to sum up her personality in your shots. For example if everyone knows kitty is a sleepy, lazy or placid little thing set up your photo shoot around her bed. If Silvester is all charm with melting eyes as wide as Puss-in-Boot’s, find that flirtatious appeal through the lens. And when you know your beloved Dexter is a highly strung, neurotic bag of fur, why deny it? In fact, enhance his character, props and all…
Suitably Unimpressed with the Intrusion. D3000 f/4; Exposure 1/60sec; ISO-200
Next, get in close and most certainly get on their level. And I am talking eye-level. Getting down on your pet’s level means you enter their world. Your images will take on a personal feel and offer a real element of intimacy.
And finally, have some fun; catch them unawares! My very favourite shots (whether with animals or people) involve photographing them candidly paparazzi style. Best of all, kitties cannot hide behind big sunglasses. Snap!
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