What are your secrets for taking good kitty pics?

I really need to get some new pics of my babies, but it seems like whenever I have the camera they are all sleeping so in about 95% of my pictures my kitties are either laying down or sleeping!
I would love to get a good action shot, they don't get frisky much but when they do it's when I am furthest from the camera.

Anyone have any suggestions or should I just be content with sleepy pics!

sleeping pics are cute, but i understand you're wanting something different! i keep the camera right next to my chair, but i still miss things sometimes! i've never gotten a pic of Cable on the piano keys, but i've heard her - she's off by the time i get there! last night, she was stretching up to the second shelf of the bookcase - looked like she was checking out the titles! but by the time the camera was ready, she was thru! anyway, i just take LOTS of shots, & delete the bad ones... or post them to the un-photogenic thread!

If you figure out the trick, let me know! Most of my cats sleep all the time

Food should be the trick? .....

Originally Posted by stormy

I really need to get some new pics of my babies, but it seems like whenever I have the camera they are all sleeping so in about 95% of my pictures my kitties are either laying down or sleeping!

I would love to get a good action shot, they don't get frisky much but when they do it's when I am furthest from the camera.

Anyone have any suggestions or should I just be content with sleepy pics!

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The answer to your question, Stormy, is very simple. You must follow your furbabies around with your camera pointed at them 24/7.

Your dilemma reminds me of the Disney movie "That Darned Cat," a really fun picture, with the furbaby star getting into the most unbelievable situations. The movie flows smoothly, and you are easily convinced that everything happened in the order shown on the screen.

In fact what happened is that photographers followed the cat around for days and days and days..., exposed miles of film, and then the editors spent days and days and days..., putting the film together to tell the tale.

If you missed this movie you have to get it.

Cheers,

Ann

My family and friends tell me I've improved - at least my "cat pictures" generally have a cat somewhere in the shot, no matter how unfocused! Of course, now that I use a digicam, they don't see the shots I have to delete (roughly 60%).

My secret?
My bf!
He can take great pics with out getting them blured. I apparently shake too much. BUt i do hope to get better once i have the digital camera.

Sasha is a tuxedo kitty and very difficult to photograph because of so much dark fur. In order to get him out of a relaxed position into something more interesting, I concentrate on really good natural lighting, as a flash bounces off his dark fur and creates problems. Then I always have a treat when I work with him. I either throw his bee across the room or yard or I place treats in the places I want him to go. Many times I'll work with my neighbor who adores him or Eric in order to get him moving, too, and then they back off when I start snapping fames, and I take a LOT and choose the best.

Definatly have the camera, toys, and treats ready while the kitties are sleeping. I use bright lights so the shot won't be too dark and there is no flash for those "diamond/demon" eyes. I usually try to get a background set up so the photo looks neat and tidy. Everyone know the cat will immediatly investagate anyting new placed on a shelf.

Feather teasers are the best for getting my kitties attention. The kind with mylar in it makes just enough noise to cause them to look with whiskers at attention! lol

Digital cameras with LOTS of memory will help alot! When we photograph our kittens we delete TONS of blinking, yawning, nose licking, and blurred head shots.

Planning ahead helps alot and usually turns into playtime!

the best pics i ever took were when I am lying on the floor so I am lower then my kits.....those are great shots........when the cat is looking down at you it looks real neat....for example the pic of Emmet in my siggy

Thanks for the tips everyone!!!
I tried getting their attention with a peacock feather for an action shot but the feather always winds up covering their face!

Bridget, that is a wonderful pic of Emmet!!

Originally Posted by stormy

Bridget, that is a wonderful pic of Emmet!!

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Awww thank you...though it wasnt hard since i was working with such a beautiful boy.....

Beautiful photo, Bridget and how creative!

Originally Posted by James Brown

The answer to your question, Stormy, is very simple. You must follow your furbabies around with your camera pointed at them 24/7.

Ann

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I agree.

Originally Posted by sashacat421

Beautiful photo, Bridget and how creative!

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awww thank you.......lol they dont all come out that good though...that was pure luck....

Whenever i see Hobbes is a good position, i grab my camera and shoot away. And sometimes i play with him while i try to take pictures, so i can capture all that funny expression. Gotta be quick though. Digital is really the way to go, you don't have to worry about wasting film. Just shoot shoot shoot, and delete the ones that are bad.

i also try to avoid flash as much as i can, because i know Hobbes hates it. And i call out his name when i want him to look at the camera so i can get a full face shot. That's about it!

Hobbester - what kind of camera do you have? Your pictures are the BEST, always so sharp and clear.

Ok, I've been taking some pictures today, not much action but I'll keep trying.
I have a digital camera, I guess it's ok but it could be better. I miss some good pictures because when I click the button the flash doesn't go off for a few seconds after, by that time my good picture opportunity is gone!

I try to post some of them tomorrow in the fur pictures forum.

I have been trying for 3 days to get a GOOD photo of Benji playing with my Nativity scene on the mantle! Each time I have the camera out he gets down and each time I cannot find it he is being cute! <sigh>

Digital cameras are "challenged" in general because of their slow aperture response time compared to film cameras. My camera's directions specifically state that the auto focus does it best at determining depth of perception when photographing solid or hard surfaces. It further states that hair and soft textured objects make it difficult for the camera to focus well. Well, most of my photos are of my cats who are soft and hairy!!!

I've taken a few actions shots that turned out clear but those were all made by accident!! My older cat also knows that when she hears the noise the auto focus makes, she assumes the flash will go off and blind her. I've got lots of photos of her squinting!!