Feline Quotable Photo Series – Strike a Pose
In order for me to look so effortlessly ready for the camera, it takes at the very least, some hot rollers to the hair, a modest amount of makeup, some leopard cat ears, and a really talented fiance to take the picture. For cats, especially the ever charming and wide eyed, Peanut and Mia, it is a mere matter of standing atop a pedestal to look completely stunning so that they may pay tribute to this quote by the late Lilian Jackson Braun.
The thing is, when Dan took this photo, he did not artfully place the cats on the pedestal, posed in perfect composition with the trailing ivy background. No, all he did was see them together, grab the camera, keep his fingers crossed they hadn’t jumped down yet, and snap the shot. If it were me, he would still be telling me to “move a bit to the left.” Or is it, move to the right? Oh never mind, now the sun has moved and the lighting is terrible…
Lilian Jackson Braun (June 20, 1913 – June 4, 2011) was an American writer, well known for her light-hearted series of “The Cat Who…” mystery novels. The “Cat Who” books center around the life of former newspaper reporter, James Qwilleran, and his two Siamese cats, KoKo and Yum Yum, in the fictitious small town of Pickax located in Moose County “400 miles north of everywhere.” Although never formally stated in her books, the towns, counties and lifestyles described in the series are generally accepted to be modeled after Bad Axe, Michigan, where Braun resided with her husband until the mid-1980s. (Wikipedia)
Please take a moment to vote for Zee & Zoey in the DogTime Pettie Awards – we are nominated for “Best Designed Blog” and “Best Blog Post” for our interview with Steve Dale on pedigree cat breeding. You can vote once a day up to July 31st, and winning blogs will get $1000 donated to the rescue or shelter of their choice! We have picked a local organization called Abandoned Pet Rescue where we got several of our dogs throughout the years.Click here to vote.
The best photos is often the one you don´t spend time on taking 🙂
Me and mom are voting for you efurry day <3
That is so true Kjelle Bus and thank you for the votes!! 🙂
Timing is everything with photographing cats. Like Dan, I don’t pose cats and prefer to wait. Luck plays a part. This new series would make lovely greeting cards!
Layla, for both you and Dan, a lot of it has to do with the implicit trust the cats have with you – the camera no longer becomes an “object,” but is part of your being and therefore is not intimidating to the cats. And yes, some of it is luck!! I would love to to a line of greeting cards…
The thing I like about photographing and painting animals is that they never tell me what I’ve done doesn’t look like them. They couldn’t care less, and claim they don’t pose. Seeing Peanut and Mia so artfully arranged, and many of mine, I really think they are quite aware of their posture!
I just take a lot of photos, and some of them come out well! LOVED Lillian Jackson Braun and read every single one of her books.
Bernadette – sometimes Dan will get the shot instantly, and sometimes it takes a lot to get that “perfect” pose! Being that you are a photographer as well, you very well know the combination of trust, timing, and good old fashioned luck! The digital age has made quite a difference as well!
Regarding LJB books, I can’t believe I am saying this, but I have never read one. I plan on putting some time to the side and will treat myself to this series!
I need to put a webcam on my desk, though.
I listened to audio recordings of her books, wonderfully read mostly by the same person. Check them out from your local public library to listen to on your commute!
A little luck helps in getting a good picture of the cats. Or just taking 50 pictures to get at least one good one.Every time I think I am getting a good picture, the subject gets up and walks away. Have a great day.
So funny Marg!! Having your subject up and walk away makes for a difficult picture!!
I always keep my camera close by so that whenever my cats are being cute or funny or doing something silly or nothing special at all I can grab it and take a photo. Great quote!
Your cats are stunning by the way.
Thank you for stopping by Mirjam! If you keep your camera close by for whenever your cats are being cute, funny, or silly, then you must have lot of pictures!
as always, exquisite!
Thanks Caren!!
So true! Yes, cats ar just so darned photogenic, aren’t they?
I’ve read almost all of LJB’s books. So fun and well-written!
We’re voting every day! 🙂
Thank you for the votes meowmeowmans!! We’re finally at the half way mark!! I definately have to get these LJB books!!
With such beautiful subjects it is impossible not to take a good photo!
We are voting for you every night and are off to do it now.
Thank you so much Eric and Flynn – we are sending computer hugs your way!!!
Yes it’s very difficult to get a cat to move around for the purrfect picture lol
I’ve read most of LJB’s The Cat Who books and thoroughly enjoyed them, though have no idea why!!? Quirky is the word to describe them. I think they draw you in, sometimes against your will lol. I didn’t know she had died 🙁
Dan always takes amazing photos of amazing cats. He does a great job showing off their beauty and cattitude.
We agree with Marg! Mommy spent a bazillion hours yesterday with Sebastian’s mom trying to snap a photo of the kitty at Wayside who – we swear! – is Skeezix’s doppelganger! But would he stay still for one minute – nooooooooo!
Did you read those books?