How to Take Better Photographs of Cats

It has been said that animals and children are the most challenging subjects to

photograph, and it is certainly easy to take a bad photo of a cat. By following the

guidelines below, along with practice and a little luck, you will be rewarded with truly

memorable photos.

Your photos are the only way that prospective adopters will get a feel for who the cat

is, so it is worth spending some time getting some good photographs that will truly

serve both cat and adopter.

The most important single thing a photographer can do when taking photos of cats is

to control the flash.

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If the camera is a point-and-shoot type, turn off the built-in flash. The light from the

flash is cold and harsh, which will make hard shadows and give the cat glowing eyes;

these will need to be corrected in an image processing program.

Make sure there is enough light, either from windows and/or lamps, especially with

black cats. Plan your photoshoot for daylight hours in a room that receives plenty of

natural light. If you can't read a newspaper or magazine in the available light, it's too

dark for a photoshoot.

If your camera has a hot shoe and you have a flash that has a swivel head, then you

can use the flash to reflect indirect light on to the cat by bouncing the light off walls or

other surfaces.

If you can have someone help you with the cat, things will tend to go more smoothly.

The other person can distract the cat and direct its attention with toys, leaving you

free to concentrate on framing the shot and waiting for the best expressions.

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Another important thing to be aware of is your background: if it is cluttered, your cat

will be lost among the details. Try to place the cat against a simple background of a

different color to the cat. A sofa or a quilt can make a good background as long as it

doesn't have patterned fabric.

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Get down on the same level with the cat; your photos will be much more interesting

and alive.

If you have a zoom lens, get in close and fill the frame with the cat. If your camera has

focus you can control, focus on the eyes. A photo of a cat looking directly at the

camera is much more engaging and compelling than one where the cat's attention is

elsewhere.

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Have fun and take your time. It is important to be calm and in relationship with the

cat; you will be rewarded with some photos that really show the character and special

qualities of your cat. The more centered you are, the more centered the cat will tend

to be.

If you have an image processing program, use it to bring out the best in the photos.

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