APAD(ish) #16-18: Cat, cat, and cat

[nonelvis]

I have been incredibly remiss about posting photos for APAD(ish), even though I have been trying to take one every day. Unfortunately, when I don't get off my ass and leave the house, that means a photo of the cat. (Maybe you find this more interesting than I do? This is probably because you don't live with the cat full-time.)

Anyway, photos 16-18, behind a cut so as to spare your friends page.

The rule is very simple: if he yowls until I have to hold him on my lap to shut him up, he should not be surprised when I try to take a photo of him. Unfortunately, he disagrees with this rule. Too bad.



KITTY FEETS! This is also the only photo that shows any microscopic bit of skill whatsoever.



This is what happens when he thinks we're ignoring him: he tries to climb on the coffee table. He's gone deaf enough now that if I catch him there and start yelling and waving my hands to get him to move, he just stares at me with that "what the hell is your problem, crazy lady?" look.

Here, he's mid-yowl, complaining that I never let him do anything fun.



Tomorrow: I actually have to leave the house for a meeting! If I have time to walk there, I already know what I'll photograph on the way home. (Hint: not a cat.)

Comments

[nonelvis]

I'd definitely be better with practice. And yeah, it is a wonderful thing to just be able to take loads of photos without having to buy film. (Though I will always regret having had access to a darkroom for several years and never once learning how to use it.)

I find the hard part is translating the composition I can see with my eyes into one the camera can see, if that makes any sense. At least all these years of working with designers and photographers have taught me a little bit, and definitely taught me to take lots of photos and cull them down to the few I actually think are worth keeping.

[haineux.livejournal.com]

Taking lots of pictures develops, at least at first, the "opposite" skill -- you learn how to predict what the camera will record, based on what you see in the viewfinder.

This is primarily because you get better at actually paying attention to what you see in the viewfinder/on the screen, and not so much projecting your brain's "composite view" onto it. (And also not projecting your emotions into the picture so much.)

At the same time, although more slowly, you learn more techniques on how to get the viewfinder to show what you want it to.

One exercise I used to do is to give people a piece of cardboard which had a hole in it, the shape and size of the 35mm film frame (24x36mm). They'd learn to move the cardboard around, forward and back, to get the right framing, and move their bodies to get the objects to fit in the frame, etc.

An iPhone is better than a traditional viewfinder camera at this, because you are staring at a near-identical simulation of what you'll see on the computer screen later. You just have to get used to this fact, and act accordingly.

Most of all, have fun. Almost anyone who makes the time to practice will reap great rewards quickly.

[nonelvis]

The cardboard cutout is a great idea -- I might have to try that! Mostly I just really need to study some basics and start taking lots and lots of photos.