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Photo Forum / General Photo Topics / UK Photography / December 2005Advice, please: Kittens
This weekend, or soon after, I've been asked to take some pictures of some very lively kittens. I don't have a whole load of equipment, basically an EOS20D with built-in flash, tripod, and that's about it. I'm planning to get hold of some lights today, but since the photos will be in a home, I don't think they'll appreciate me lugging lights or background cloths in. So... any suggestions for how to get the best out of the situation? I've already said I'd prefer to work with daylight so hopefully I'll be able to use window light. I'm thinking I'll be working at high ISO, natural light only, no flash (their eyes are very reflective), and fast shutters because they can't be made to sit still for any amount of time. The snapshots I've seen already have rather cluttered backgrounds, so is it a case of working with depth of field and angles to minimise background clutter? Wide angle and get in close? Sorry there's not a lot of information, but anything to help me get more useable shots out of my hour or so there would be most appreciated. Cheers, Stu  Signature. EOT Message-ID: <Pine.LNX.4.60.0512030821290.10572@graham.pygmygoat.net> from Stu Carter contained the following: >The snapshots I've seen already have rather cluttered backgrounds, so is >it a case of working with depth of field and angles to minimise background >clutter? Wide angle and get in close? Unfortunately that will give you distortion, Big heads, little bodies. I usually find that you can get away with limited depth of field as long as the eyes are in focus. With more than one kitten though, getting all the eyes on the same focal plane may be tricky to say the least. I suppose that's why you see many shots like this with them lined up in a basket or something. SignatureGeoff Berrow (put thecat out to email) It's only Usenet, no one dies. My opinions, not the committee's, mine. Simple RFDs http://www.ckdog.co.uk/rfdmaker/ >The snapshots I've seen already have rather cluttered backgrounds, so is >it a case of working with depth of field and angles to minimise background >clutter? Wide angle and get in close? I would still take some background cloths and lights, if they want some good pics of their kittens they should be prepared to put up with an hour or so of putting up with your stuff. I wouldn't rely on good daylight at the moment if the weather's anything like it is here. If you don't want to take any backgrounds you might be able to rig something up from any blankets/sheets the 'client's are willing to let you use. Limited DOF will be a pain with more than one subject. Frink ps Liked the apple... SignatureDoctor J. Frink : 'Rampant Ribald Ringtail' See his mind here : http://www.cmp.liv.ac.uk/frink/ Annoy his mind here : pjf at cmp dot liv dot ack dot ook "No sir, I didn't like it!" - Mr Horse Daylight won't really do. There's not enough of it and it's usually coming from the wrong direction. If you can take some studio flash in, you could light a largish area to give yourself room for manoeuvre. Don't light too flat though; you need a bit of shape. > >The snapshots I've seen already have rather cluttered backgrounds, so is > >it a case of working with depth of field and angles to minimise background [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > ps Liked the apple... > Advice, please: Kittens Sack. Canal. Sorted. SignatureRoger >> Advice, please: Kittens > >Sack. Canal. Sorted. You forgot: Weights. ;-) > This weekend, or soon after, I've been asked to take some pictures of some > very lively kittens. I don't have a whole load of equipment, basically an > EOS20D with built-in flash, tripod, and that's about it. So... the results. Firstly, thanks for your comments - very useful... however, I didn't manage to get any lights in time, and when I arrived I judged the mood to be one of complete informality, so I basically allowed the kitties to do as they pleased and stalked them round taking photos for an hour. I mostly shot around 90mm equivalent but after reading the 'big head, little body' comment, couldn't resist a few at 27mm (17mm on my 1.6x sensor) to see how they turned out. I've just been given permission to make the gallery public (had to check since it was taken in friend's house), so you can see it here: http://www.pbase.com/kaapiovuohi/kitties Cheers, Stu Stu Carter <stu@lists.pygmygoat.net> observed >> This weekend, or soon after, I've been asked to take some pictures of >>some very lively kittens. I don't have a whole load of equipment, [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > >http://www.pbase.com/kaapiovuohi/kitties I should think you are well pleased with those! Focus generally quite good, which is the most difficult thing with twitchy animals IMHO. One suggestion, although flash can disconcert them (sorry you may have asked about that), I would recommend bounce flash off the walls or ceiling to get a little more light into the black patches. Mike SignatureMichael J Davis Now with added pictures on http://www.flickr.com/photos/watchman <>< Even Photographic newsgroups sometimes lose perspective. <>< > One suggestion, although flash can disconcert them (sorry you may have asked > about that), I would recommend bounce flash off the walls or ceiling to get a > little more light into the black patches. Ah... good point. I must get hold of a decent flash - along with all those other things :) I can see exactly the black patches you mean. Cheers, Stu |
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