How To Take Great Photographs Of Your Cat

Posted on May 17 2017 - 3:31pm by Editorial Staff

Cats rule the internet – images and videos of the domestic moggy are the most viewed content on the web. More than 3.8 million cat pictures and videos are shared every day.

Many felines now have celebrity status, and the most famous of them all has to be Grumpy Cat. Think suffering from a form of dwarfism and an underbite is a drawback? Think again. It’s given Grumpy Cat a permanent multi-million dollar frown. Within days of the cat’s first appearances on social media, her 29 year old owner, Tabatha Bundesen, was able to give up her job. So far, Grumpy has earned over $100 million from her modelling career, appearances and book deals.

Buy why are we so obsessed with looking at cats on the internet?

Is it their ability to ignore us? Their independence? Their aloofness? Their playfulness? Their agility? The emotions they evoke in us? Who knows. But if you want to get in on the action, aside from having your cat photographed by professionals such as Boggio Studios, here’s a guide to taking great feline shots.

Be ready at all times

Cats are notoriously unpredictable, so be prepared at all times to capture the moment your cat does something funny or silly.

Arouse their curiosity

All cats are naturally curious, so have some props or toys to get their interest. Even just rustling some paper or clicking your fingers will attract their attention.

Be patient

It’s best not to have an idea of your perfect shot, because the chances of your cat complying are zero. Instead, watch and wait. You may get a shot you’d never thought of which is more spontaneous and original.

Use automatic mode for action

Cats are fast. Don’t risk losing the perfect frame because you can’t keep up. Set your device to automatic mode if your cat is running or jumping.

Choose natural light

When photographing your cat outside, the best time is when the sun is low. This creates a warm soft light and helps you avoid shadows on your feline friend. If inside, try and ensure there is a window either behind you or alongside you, so plenty of light falls on your cat’s face.

Avoid the flash

Flashlight can scare your cat, so either refrain from using it or angle it upwards. A flash will also risk the dreaded red eye effect. This will be blue in a kitten and green in an adult cat. Advances in technology now means that many cameras can now take good shots in low household light.

Focus on the eyes

A cat’s eyes are what draws us in to a photograph. So keep them sharp and use them as the point of focus. It can be difficult to do this on a phone camera that gives you loads of depth of field. A better choice is to use an SLR which gives more control over the depth of field.

The yawning shot

If you want to capture your cat yawning, wait until immediately after a nap. Most cats yawn enough for you get the shot you want. It’s a great way to get a close-up of their teeth.

Do not disturb

Taking a shot of a sleeping cat can be harder than you think. The slightest noise or movement can alert them to your presence and they will wake up. So proceed with caution.

Stoop to their level

Don’t photograph your cat from human height. If you get down to their level the shot will have more impact. This is especially true if you’re capturing your cat while out hunting. Being on the same level will add drama to the shot. Thankfully, cats like to climb, so you won’t always have to scramble about on the floor.

Frame the shot

When inside, try and photograph your cat in a favourite hiding place that can frame the shot. Outside use surroundings like long grass, shrubs and foliage to add depth. This can create the impression that you are peeking into the cat’s own world.

Take lots of shots

Your beloved cat won’t live forever. Make sure you’ve got a record of their lifespan and plenty of selfies so you can recall the good times. Pinterest is a great place forcat photographic inspiration.

About the Author

Editorial Staff at I2Mag is a team of subject experts.