I wonder why cats are so moody... I'm sure you've had the experience of thinking, "Now's the perfect time to take a photo!" because they're so quiet, and then you hurry around with your smartphone and get ready, only to find that they're gone! I've also had my tongue stick out so many times...! How silly! I try to take a photo! But every day I get at the mercy of my moody cat ^^
Two people working together to shoot
"Chasing the cat," "fitting it in the frame," and "pressing the shutter" - trying to do all of these things at the same time with a wayward cat can be quite tricky. In such cases, try dividing up the roles between someone to attract the cat's attention and someone to take the photo. You can also try using cat toys or treats to lure the cat into a position that's easier to photograph, or gently talking to it to relax it. Also, when taking photos, holding your smartphone or camera with both hands and keeping your armpits close can help reduce camera shake. We also recommend lying down in line with the cat's line of sight and placing the camera on the floor to take the photo.
Use a cat toy
Among all toys, cat toys are particularly effective at attracting cats' attention. Cats will chase the toy from side to side, following their hunting instincts, resulting in active photos. The key is to capture only the cat, without including the toy. Once you've piqued the cat's interest by waving the toy, try quickly waving it up. Timing is crucial, so be patient and persevere until the cat gets bored. You can also try taking multiple shots. Incidentally, if the cat manages to grab the toy, its claws may get caught and get injured when you raise it, so it's best to have someone else handle the toy, if possible. Teamwork is key here, to avoid accidentally capturing the cat's paws in the photo! (laughs) Looking up at the cat from as low a position as possible will help make even a slight jump appear dynamic.
Aim for when they are eating or sleeping
The two times when cats are calm are when they're eating and when they're sleeping. When they're eating, try taking a photo from a little distance in front, crouching down as much as possible to get at the cat's eye level, to capture a cute expression. Another great photo opportunity is when your cat is sleeping. Some cats sleep curled up, while others sleep flat on their backs with their bellies fully exposed. Recently, they've been getting a lot of attention for their cuteness, sleeping in a "sorry sleep" position, where they bury their heads in their arms as if apologizing. Also, take as many photos as you like of those squishy paws as you can while they're sleeping, which is usually hard to capture!
Brighten/Darken the room
Shooting in a bright room will increase the smartphone's shutter speed, reducing camera shake. On the other hand, a dark room will slow down the shutter speed, making the image more susceptible to blur. For this reason, it's best to make the room as bright as possible when taking photos. Shooting by a window using natural light will highlight each individual strand of fur, resulting in a soft, fluffy finish. Also, if your cat is calm, try making the room darker, which will make its pupils dilate and allow you to capture a more adorable expression. It's a good idea to change the brightness of the room to suit your cat's situation.
Make full use of the camera's "shooting mode"
If you're taking photos of cats with a digital camera or SLR camera, we recommend using the "Sports mode." This mode is specialized for taking photos of fast-moving subjects, so it's perfect for cats that move around quickly. If you can get the cat in focus properly, the cat will be clear and the background will flow smoothly, resulting in a photo full of dynamism. Why not try taking continuous shots to get the best shot?
Give up and recognize it as dynamic
A photo that is perfectly in focus is not necessarily everything. "Photography" is written as "capturing the truth," and candid photos of cats are also attractive. If only the cat's paw is blurred, the cat's powerful punch is conveyed, and if the whole cat is blurred, you can picture it running away quickly. Photos that convey the cat's mischievousness and power may be the real joy of cat photography ♪
Please stop doing this.
Be careful not to get so absorbed in taking photos that you end up stressing out your cat. For example, while cats look adorable when they're eating, some become wary if people get too close, fearing someone might steal their food. Watch their behavior and find the right distance. Be careful not to give your cat too many treats in an attempt to get its attention. Cat cafes and cat islands, in particular, have a strict weight control system, so giving treats without permission may be prohibited. Be sure to check the rules beforehand. Also, be careful with the bright light of a flash, as it can be too stimulating for cats.
summary
If you take a photo of a cat looking down from above, it will have a doting expression with its eyes looking up, while if you take a photo looking up from below, it will have a sharp, dignified expression. Cats show different expressions every day depending on their mood at the time. Be sure to get close to your cat and take lots of photos until you find that one amazing photo!
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