Can't capture cat's blue eyes

[Michele61]

I have two cats, a tabby and a siamese. The tabby has always photographed well and I'm able to capture his eyes. The siamese (only had her a year) is impossible. No matter what lighting I try, I can't seem to capture her blue eyes. They come out a hollow orange color. No visible pupils either.

I have been playing with my new Canon PowerShot A590 IS and am still unable to get the blue eyes, although the tabby again turns out great.

Why is it that one cat's eyes are okay and the other not? And what can I do to correct it and get a good picture of her blue eyes.

Thanks in advance,
Michele

[ck8l4]

Are you using the flash on the camera? Also is you white balance set correctly.
If the flash is on make sure you turn it off and also set your white balance.

[[shingo]]

You could borrow a dslr with a remote flash from one of your friends

[Michele61]

Thanks for the advice. I'll try your suggestions.

[PHS]

Google "Tyndall's phenomenon".

Try shooting with the flash way off camera, or in natural light.

[JWright]

Google "Tyndall's phenomenon".

Try shooting with the flash way off camera, or in natural light.

I don't think she can do that with her camera.

Siamese are particularly difficult to shoot. they are the only domestic cat I have found whose "eyeshine" is red or orange. Most other cats have green eyeshine. Bouncing flash or using natural light is the only way to avoid this. You also have to have the ambient light level up to a point where the cat's eyes are "stopped down" a bit so you can see the irises. I have one Siamese whose blue totally disappears in low light because his eyes open up so much.

With practice, you can get the blue color...

http://johnwright.smugmug.com/photos/60077144_3Cp82-L.jpg

http://johnwright.smugmug.com/photos/60077148_8zByf-L.jpg

[PHS]

I don't think she can do that with her camera.

Siamese are particularly difficult to shoot. they are the only domestic cat I have found whose "eyeshine" is red or orange. Most other cats have green eyeshine. Bouncing flash or using natural light is the only way to avoid this. You also have to have the ambient light level up to a point where the cat's eyes are "stopped down" a bit so you can see the irises. I have one Siamese whose blue totally disappears in low light because his eyes open up so much.

With practice, you can get the blue color...

What kind of camera does she have that won't shoot in natural light?

You can't always get the blue color depending on the cat. Some Siamese have nearly no color at all due to the albinism gene, what you do see may be reflected from the retina (depending on the amount of melanin).

Here is some of the science of eye color: http://cc.ysu.edu/~helorime/eyecol.html

[PHS]

JWright...those are very nice shots of your kitty.

[JWright]

What kind of camera does she have that won't shoot in natural light?

Did you see the part of her post I put in bold type? I was referring to the ability of her camera to do off-camera flash. The Canon A590IS is a point and shoot that doesn't have a hot shoe...

JWright...those are very nice shots of your kitty.

Thanks.