Asides

Today’s portrait has a touch of the ‘before and after’ magic that comes from a few simple edits. The subject is our senior boy Jack who this week managed to fall off his cat steps by launching himself off halfway down.

After a quick vet visit he was diagnosed with a soft tissue injury and confined on crate arrest to restrict his movement. A small amount of Gabapentin has been added to his diet until he recovers.

On Saturday we lifted Jack out of his crate and onto the family bed where he enjoyed the bright autumn sunshine. He was so pleased to be on his familiar daytime napping spot he purred and purred.

A Challenging Light Portrait

The first photograph here shows you how bright the light is mid-afternoon. It gets much brighter here in New Zealand than in Europe and America, so the light ,coming from your right, makes the shadows around Jack look very dark and dramatic.

I did not have time to set things using Manual, what you see is Aperture Priority and not perfect so some rescue editing was needed. I took several pictures and you can see two used here.

Making the Photo Work

I want to encourage you not to give up on a hurried, snatched moment capture without some thought. Light edits can make a big difference, especially if the picture matters to you. Jack’s picture looks very dark but it is a special moment, let me show you what I did to rescue it.

• I cropped the portrait to remove the dark background. This lets you focus on Jack’s alert and eager face. ‘Yeah, Look at me! I’m on my favourite napping spot, in the sun‘
• Step two was to lightly brushed areas of deep shadow using the Dodge and Burn tool. This tool gently lights up the shadows on Jack’s face. Use a very light touch and small steps then assess after each pass with your tool. Dodge lightens and Burn adds a touch of shadow.
• Your software or app has the option to Dodge or Burn images. GIMP, Photoshop Elements and Luminar Neo all include the tool and many free smartphone apps like Snapseed.
• I boosted the ginger colour in Jack’s fur with the Essentials Colour tool in Luminar Neo.

This full length portrait of Jack shows three edits that you might like to try:

1. I lightened his face more than the closeup portrait – so you can see how different the tool can make your capture look. Your cat may be in shadow but with a light stroke or two of the tool their face and fur can stand out just a little bit more.
2. I added a soft white vignette to focus on our ginger senior and keep with the light feel of his portrait. Note that the vignette is quite faint, a barely there frame that enhances the glow in his fur.
3. Reassess cat fur colour as I did here. Jack’s fur seemed pale so I boosted the ginger fur tones. Jack’s personality is anything but pale and interesting!
4. Remember, enhancement matters but edit in small increments until you are happy. [Not sure? Walk away for five minutes then reassess.]

I really like the dramatic look of Jack’s portrait and hope I can encourage you to try rescuing a slightly disappointing cat photo with some simple edits. These tools work in most conditions from normal light conditions, to darker shadowy images.

Remember always work on a digital copy so you can adjust, edit and make mistakes with a clear conscience!

STOP PRESS

We have just learned of the passing of dear Jackie Avery of Two Devon Cats. She was always kind enough to send us cards and inspired me to do better with my sending. I visited the boys sometimes and when I saw them, missed them a lot. There is a lovely Cat Blogosphere tribute here.

My readers are the best readers. They enquire, they comment, they suggest what has worked for them and I can see different ideas working. So, when Mimi commented it gave me pause. Maybe we often try to do too much learning at once?

….. I have to concentrate on one, though, I couldn’t use all of them at the same time as I have to practice slowly. Mimi

The title of the Oscar® winning absurdist comedy ‘Everything, Everywhere All at Once’ suggests how we often approach our cat photography learning (yes, me too). We throw ourselves into learning everything, get it wrong and feel defeated.

We may even give up …

How do we stop trying so hard?

I have a suggestion. Maybe … we should attempt things one skill at a time not rush and try to do everything?

As Mimi says, she concentrates on one skill and leaves the rest. When you feel confident with one skill, move on to the next. No timetable, no ‘must do’, just at your own pace. Not sure where to start? Make a list.

I am learning a new camera so here’s my to-do list because I am learning my new mirrorless Nikon Z50. Keep your list short, like mine, then make a start. Be realistic, but add a splash of ambition.

1. I will learn to use Nikon focus modes. There are at least half a dozen and I need to find out what they do for my cat photos.
2. I want to become confident using shutter speeds to capture moving cats and freeze motion.
3. Learn about histograms. I know what they are but how they can help is something I need to investigate.

Here are some common frustrations from my fellow cat photography learners, and how to tackle them:

• Fuzzy photos? Learn to hold your camera by bracing yourself or holding your camera correctly. [Arms close to your sides and left hand supporting your lens, like the photo).
• Frustrated by your smartphone? See what it can do.
• Change your camera’s ISO for instantly brighter photos with better exposure.
• Out of focus photos? Maybe you can sharpen your focus skills. Check for a manual (online) or a videos for your camera type. Tapping a smartphone screen on your focus point instantly improves so many images.

Fast fixes for cat photos in a hurry

Here are some fast ways to sneak an improvement. These are adjustments you can think about as you pick up or lift your camera. With practice they become natural skills.

Angle is one most shutterbugs can try right now. After all we all look down at a cat to take a photo at some point, but, think about eye level. Don’t worry, you don’t have to get down on your hands and knees! A cat may be beside you, or even slightly above. You can also lower your camera. This works brilliantly with smartphones and cameras with a moveable rear screen.

Lighting. If you are lucky enough to have a window your cat enjoys, use that. Posed upright, napping or stretching near a window gives you lots of natural light. If you have a dark cat, you might try reflecting some light back at your model using a piece of white card (something firm works best). If not a window, a patio door or skylight might work, or a small softbox for very dark homes.

Background. No-one wants to see a chaotic room behind your perfect subject. Keep it clean or, if that’s not an option use bokeh or smartphone portrait mode. One or two things you can ‘clone‘ out but keeping a clear background is the biggest help. Honestly though, sometimes, like this image of Taz and his dad, you need to capture the moment… The background isn’t as important as cat dad love.

Timing. Not the easiest but even a slightly blurry can moving can have a lot of charm. Catch your cat turning towards you for an over the shoulder look. A stretch or a cleaning lick can catch that fleeting moment to treasure.

Thanks Mimi

We all try to be overachievers and forget that every photographer, great and small begin by learning their skills one step at a time, like Mimi suggests. Select the skill you want to sharpen and grab your camera NOW!

I came across these long-established (but new to me) suggestions for improving your skills as a photographer. They come from the famous New York Institute of Photography and are called the ‘Three Guidelines for Great Photography‘. I think you will find them as inspiring and easy to incorporate into your cat photography practice as I am.

The suggestions are simple, easy to follow and will make you think just a little bit more about the next cat photo you take. Here’s how they go:

A Good Photograph Has a Clear Subject

Every photo you take is about something, or someone. It may be a mood, or a message telling a clear story, or making a statement of some kind. This could be a sleeping cat that embodies peace, a cheeky kitten pouncing joyfully on a litter mate, or a single cat looking out at the viewer with a look full of quiet confidence.

A Good Photograph Focuses Attention on The Subject

A magnificent tuxedo like Angel Thomas, or a Maine Coon will not look half as amazing if it is surrounded by clutter or crumpled clothes. People will start looking at what kind of toys the cat has, how soft is the blanket. How distracting from your photography is that? So. Make sure any other things you include in your photo matter.

A Good Photograph Simplifies

Simplicity matters. What is your cat photo? A dignified or playful rescue cat portrait to promote their adoption, like those appearing on selfie friend Animal Shelter Volunteer Life blog. Or your favourite fluff ball full of mischief? Or, a curious stranger in grey. Keep the message simple: ‘this cat is amazing, adopt it’ or ‘I love my Ragdoll/Tuxedo/Tortie very much’. Keep their eyes sharp, their gaze fixed on you (or a helper/wand toy if they are lively) and the background unfussy.

For us beginners, I think these ideas let us get a message across in our cat photography with thought and care. The photo-bomb that makes us smile works even better if the focus is simply on one cat with the other behind, so maybe get in a bit closer (or zoom!) A single portrait, or a two-fer works well if there is plain space around the cat(s) so we gaze deeply into gorgeous eyes not at the furniture.

The New York Institute of Photography has given me a lot to think about, how about you?

• This post gives a lot of insights into the power of simplicity
• Photographing Cats – Jerry Rice. A 2011 article still relevant and fun today. (NYIP)