You need to be brave to take a cat closeup. Not fearless just brave. But, you ask ‘how can I get a lot closer and take a really cool portrait’ it never works for me * sigh *? There are ways and your cat will never know how close you are until it’s too late!
I suggested thinking a bit different here, and I thought it would help to show you what I did with three closeup cat shots.
Looking Up From Low Down
In this first photo. Taz was looking to the right and sat at a slightly higher level than I was. He was sat on the BBQ lid, but the lid was cold!
The capture was taken with my trusty Canon 1300D and a 50mm lens. This lens doesn’t zoom so I had to carefully move closer.
This is option one when you are hoping to take closeups with a lens like a prime or if you can’t lift your hand to pinch zoom on your smartphone (without being noticed by your wary subject).
Get your cat used to you doing something different. Do it often, even if your photos are all total failures. The getting close slowly trick works with many cats (and I have 9 so I speak from experience).
Sit On the Ground and Zoom
I know many people dislike taking low level shots. The ground may be damp or dirty or you might have creaky knees but, try it. Even if you are nimble, get down there and stay for a while. Use the chance, as I did here, to focus in the world and cats around you.
You will be able to turn, twist and even lie down. All new and different angles available to you for cat captures. I used my zoom lens – which let me take closer photos without intimidating Thomas as he was ‘busy’.
You will nail a wonderful shot like this, one of my best of my sweet angel tuxedo.
Raising Your Game!
Switching things UP here with your cat photos is a suggestion you may remember from my ‘think different‘ post.
Admit it, all of us often aim down and (sometimes) it can be effective, like this image of Tigger, but it can pleasantly surprise your friends to see your cat (or dog – sorry Dalton and Benji) in a slightly different way.
This is one cat photo, a whole new level. Catch them on the back of the sofa, or as our friend Brian often does, halfway up the stairs or a cat tree. The opportunities are there, you just need to think about them. I had my Nikon Z50 close to hand when I noticed sleepy Toulouse!
TIP If you have a viewing screen that swivels you can even raise the camera above your head.
Be Ready. You may not have long so make sure your smartphone or DSLR/mirrorless camera is on and your settings ready to go. Take a breath, raise the camera and go for it. Be fearless.
Take a Fearless Chance
It might work, it might not (how many experts ever admit to a fuzzy photo?) but you are getting closer all the time! And yes I take a lot of fuzzy photos you don’t see!
Stunning photos! And your beautiful tuxedo Thomas touches my heart. He reminds me so much of our Binx, the feral kitten we adopted, or rather who adopted us, years ago. I love how you share your tips that can help every shutterbug from novice to experienced. Great post (as always), Marjorie!
That first photo, of Taz, is amazing! The angle is perfect and his eyes look gorgeous. I like getting down to their level for pet photos. It’s not always comfortable but the pics come out great.
Love the photos as always, great tips thank you
Super idea, Marjorie! Some of my favorite photos of Henry are close-up shots. You’re right, getting low or below them can make for great photos. Often, I’ll put Henry on the porch bench and then sit on the ground and get a photo of him enjoying the outdoors. Such great ideas! I’m sharing with all my dog parents.
Great advice. Being patient and being willing to take a lot of lousy shots to get the one good one seems to be important.
Those really are wonderful closeups!!!
Brian’s Home ~ Forever
Sunday’s selfies in the car were taken by using the selfie setting on my phone. Then I put them into gimp and reversed them so they were in the correct places.
I sometime do get down on the floor or the grass to take their pictures…yup, I am still agile enough,and can even get up again! I have to do a lot of that at my work, so I guess it keeps me fit!
All beautiful photos. XO
Beautiful photos! Close ups are always extra special.
Wee love THE fotoss of toulose an Thomas….did wee see Harvey Buttonss inn yore thumm nail foto on THE bloggie hop Miss Marjorie??/ Wee loved Harvey….all yore catss are so fine!
***nose rubss*** BellaDharma an (((hugss))) BellaSita Mum
The black and white shot of sleepy Toulouse is really wonderful. But so are the pictures of Angel Thomas. In fact, all the pics are miaowvellous!
We agree with Erin. It’s so easy to take multiple shots and then, hopefully, find the purrfect one.
Patience definitely does pay off, as does experimentation. Practice makes perfect, too.
The joy of digital images is that any duff shots can be deleted without cost. And as you often say, even basic mobile phones can take wonderful images.
Those are lovely images of Thomas, more poignant by the fact he has moved to a new life.
Have a wonderful week
ERin