Tips for Photographing Black Cats ...?

[jonchicoine]

I've had terrible luck with any shots of my black cat.

Anyone have any tips?

I open the raw files in lightroom and then usually feel i have to zero out the "black" slider to see any detail what so ever.

I lower contrast and what not... and i think all the pictures are terrible.

Can anyone indoor shots of black cats that you like with shooting details?

I'm thinking i need softbox or something.

Thanks,
jonathan

[Sirrith]

Posting pictures will help us help you :)

[digirebelva]

What's your metering, spot, or evaluative, try overexposing by a stop and work from there

[Gatorboy]

Pretend it's a black dog: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=994305

[M_Six]

The biggest problem I have with my black cat is the lint. Seriously. The cat is a walking lint brush. I take a shot and look at it in PS and I can't believe how much lint and flakes the cat has in his fur. I have to spend a half hour with the spot removal tool to clean the image up enough to post.

Getting detail is always going to be a problem. Tough to get the lighting right if the cat won't sit still.

[pwm2]

The biggest problem I have with my black cat is the lint. Seriously. The cat is a walking lint brush. I take a shot and look at it in PS and I can't believe how much lint and flakes the cat has in his fur. I have to spend a half hour with the spot removal tool to clean the image up enough to post.

Getting detail is always going to be a problem. Tough to get the lighting right if the cat won't sit still.
Maybe instead 5 minutes with a brush on the cat ;)

[M_Six]

Maybe instead 5 minutes with a brush on the cat ;)

That creates more flakage. :confused:

[Gundogs]

Use a piece of kitchen paper slightly damp, wipe over the cat before you shoot any pics - it really helps with the flaky bits.

[killeraxemannic]

My GF has a black cat. She does well when shes against a light background and in the daylight. If she's indoors I get a weird glare off the fur. Here is my best one of her

http://i469.photobucket.com/albums/rr56/killeraxemannic/Photos%20to%20share/majortom.jpg

[little_mcturtle]

@ M-Six - Have you tried a lint roller? If his/her skin is very flaky you can add salmon oil to his food.
I find sunlight is the easiest way to get a good shot. I put the cat tree next to the window and hope for the best.

[AntonLargiader]

If she's indoors I get a weird glare off the fur.

In a way, the glint is what you have to use to see black fur! Work that from different angles.

I'd love to see that shot with more DOF and custom WB.

[RPCrowe]

1. The cameras meter will try to make the cat into 18% gray. Under expose to get a true black.

2. Cross light the cat. Cross lighting will bring out the texure in its coat...

3. Say "To hell with that!" and photograph a dog. Dogs are easier to photograph...

[JennW]

Start with good lighting, wherever possible. Soft lighting, but lots of it. Harsh lighting will produce glare/shine. Good natural light or a softbox, if you can. This shot is using flash, but bounced up and behind me off a white wall.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7213/7213018528_65a0087841_c.jpg
As for lint and stray hairs, a damp cloth works ok, as long as it's not so wet that the fur shines. I also use a feather toy to flick away really noticeable hairs - it also gets their attention, too!

[AntonLargiader]

Patrick's posts are harvested from other websites and appear in multiple places on multiple forums. Google "Your first thought for pet photography may be a formal, full-body pose" if you want to see for yourselves.

Patrick, if you're a real person please post about your own experiences in your own words.