My human tries really hard to have the best photos possible on my blog. She is not always successful! But the ones that don’t make it onto the blog are even worse. So I thought I would put up a few of those today to help you learn what not to do when taking photos of your cats! Take the photo above, for example. It’s a really nice portrait of me… except the messy background ruins it! And even worse, these things can’t be cropped out of the picture.
So rule #1: Make sure your background is not distracting!
I will be honest — my human actually took this photo of Binga on purpose as a “don’t” because she tries to use flash sparingly, and you can see why! Binga looks washed out, and with her squinty eyes and green irises from the flash, she also looks pretty evil. But you know what? I actually think this picture sort of captures her true nature. Still, it is not a good looking photograph.
Rule #2: Use natural light for photos whenever possible.
I know lots of you are tempted to move us more pliable kitties around when you are taking photos, but be careful! My human tried so hard to get me just right on this pillow… that I slid off it! How much do you want to bet I ended the photo session right there? Look, if you are having to poke us, move us or distract us to get your shot, maybe you are trying too hard. Be patient and wait for the right moment instead.
Rule #3: Don’t force a photo. Allow a good picture to happen.
I think I’ll just go straight to the rule with this one.
Rule #4: Make sure your photo is in focus. And properly framed. And the model is making a pleasing face.
I hope you have found these tips helpful!
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Good advice for humans!
For kitties, try your best to make picture taking
as challenging as possible for your human 😉
heh,heh,heh
Purrs Tillie and Georgia,
Treasure,Tiger, JJ and Julie
They’re great tips! Our Mommy feels like she is doing good just to get us on camera. She says it’s like trying to nail Jello to a wall. MOL!
Good advice! We still love the goof ups! Mol!
Those are excellent tips, Sparkle. But we fear our human may be too thick to implement them.
great tips Sparkle!xx SPeedy and Rachel
MOL, meowma’s battery usually goes dead before she gets a good picture of us. MOL. 😈
Jasmine, Joey, Eddie & Rosie
This is Meowma, the little brats are in trouble now. Sparkle no matter how hard your human tries you still take a good picture. I love the look on your face when you fell off the pillow. Planning your revenge?
Terrific tips, Sparkle. We can’t believe you let your human manipulate your body for photos! You’re a far, far better Cat than either of us, that’s certain.
Our house has few windows and most are north-facing, so light isn’t good inside. The human has a few p&s cameras, no DSLR, but she finally figured out how to lower the flash setting on one or two, so it’s toned down. It does make a significant difference. But she’s still lousy at picture-taking (lol) and our living area is so small, it’s extremely difficult to get uncluttered backgrounds. It’s a bonus for us that during the winter she doesn’t take nearly as many snapshots of us as she does in the spring and summer, when we’re out in our garden. 🙂
Great tips, Sparkle! Especially loved Rule #4.
I have a hard time with photo sessions because I move so much. It’s hard to stay still, especially when my humans try putting a cap on my head.
Sparkle, our photographer makes those mistakes all the time. We think we need a new one.
Great hints. Mom tries hard not to use a flash even at night. Murky sometimes as she is not always so hot with ISO.
Excellent tips! Mom doesn’t like to use the flash because it washes the Birman girls out. She will also try to “force” us to pose…yeah…right…like THAT’S going to happen 😆
The Florida Furkids
Sparkle that last pic is PRICELESS! MomKatt just laughed & laughed when she saw it – we BOTH could read your mind in THAT facial expression!
And yes, Binga DOES look evil in that picture! MOL
Purrz!
Selina
I often take pictures of my cats in the bedroom (because they love to sleep on the bed) and many times a great shot has been ruined by a pile of laundry that hasn’t been put away yet in the background…. 😳 So I’m hip to rule #1 – LOL!!!
SPARKLE EXCELLENT PHOTO TIPS. MY MOM IS STILL LEARNING ABOUT PHOTOS SO THIS WAS HELPFUL
HUGS MADI YOUR BFFF
Oh, I love the one of you falling off the pillow!!!
Great not-to-do tips, Sparkle! I try not to snap with messy background, but very difficult. I need to clean the house and organize things 🙂
Pawsome tips, Sparkle!!!
But I have to be honest…. I kinda LOVE that last photo of you!!!
: )
That last one looks like you are yelling at your human Sparkle
we made sure the mama was reading this. she could benefit from this post.
My Humom sure needs these rules Miss Sparkle!
I get a good photo every once in a while – purely by accident, dontcha’ know…I just point and keep on clicking!
Some great advice Sparkle.
Mom has more blurry pictures than clear ones we think. Thank goodness for digital photography!
We think something needs to be said about us making sure good pictures aren’t taken. Make it a challenge, kitties! Everyone knows our humans need the mental stimulation! Purrs…
We don’t make it easy on our mommy to get good photos of us so we have lots of photo fails on our blog. We giggled at the one of you beside the pillow!
Good tips and photo bombs can be fun!
Great tips! Also it would not hurt if humans asked if we’re ok with having our picture taken first!
Purrs
Great tips, Sparkle! We definitely try to follow those rules when we are taking pictures of the cats at the shelter.
these are fabulous tips! My Mom is guilty of soooooooooo many of these!
All great photo pointers, sweetie!…Happy weekend, dear friends…kisses…Calle, Halle, Sukki, Mommy Cat, Daddy Cat
Those were don’t cute and got the message across Sparkle!
Excellent advice! I’m not too crazy about Mama taking my picture, but I guess it has to be done! Me-Ommmmmm
These are great tips. The head peep is especially guilty of the distracting, messy backgrounds error. Or maybe it’s just her housekeeping skill level. We would rather have photos like the last one taken rather than have anyone try to pose us while for the camera. You’re a more patient cat than we are, Sparkle!
TW is still trying to figure out what’s wrong with that last photo. It looks perfectly fine to her. Of course, she would’ve cropped the top off. Heh heh. Mess, what mess? TW would NEVER take a picture of me if she was looking for an uncluttered spot to take it! Great hints.
All of these tips are applicable to virtually any type of photography. Great advice, and of course you had wonderful models to help you deliver it.
I should send the human on a course, but I fear it is too late!!!
Great advice, Sparkle!
Purrs x
There’s another big no-no to be included, too. I don’t what you’d call it though. Perhaps you or your human would know? My peep keeps takin’ pictures of our backs. The backs of our heads and the backs of our backs. Not on purpose, mind you. She’s TRYIN’ to take pictures of our fronts but she’s way too slow. By the time the picture is taken, our backs have turned. MOUSES!
Purrs,
Nissy
Excellent tips Sparkle! And you look great in any photo! Meow and Namste! Pippy the Feline Yogini
😉 Pawsum tipz Sparkle….ya shuud see da duddz me Mum takez of me!!! sumtimez me makez a face just to mess wif her!!!! MOL!!!
Den dere are dayz me lubz to pose, butt don’t tell her dat or she will be doin ‘Pawpawrazzi’ on me every day!!!!
Lub Nylablue xo
If our mom or dad ever tried to move one of us to get a more pleasing photo, they would be missing some fingers at the very least. Mom always tries to start flashless and only use it if necessary. Like all kitties we tend to be moving targets when the flashy box appears. Purrs and hugs, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo
Oh, Sparkle, I would love to be as good as your human at taking photos!
Grreat photo tips , Sparkle !!
XOXO