Thursday, November 13, 2003 • Shop Online for Cat Supplies, Toys & Gifts
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CONTENTS
Meet Flip– He's One Big, Blue-Eyed Bundle of Purr
And the Winner Is...
Stockings and Stuffers For Your Favorite Furry Friend
'Tis the Season To Take Special Care of Our Four-Legged Friends

Holiday Gifts for the Cat Lover in Your Life

Keep Your Kitty Warm & Cozy During the Holiday Season
Don't Get Left Out In the Cold! Make your Thanksgiving and Christmas reservations now.
Why Should I Board My Cat?
Cat Grooming Tips and General Care
Super Grooming Specials for Your Short-Haired Cat
Catching Those Purrfect Moments
"Trick"ed or Treat?
The 7 Best Sleeping Positions
"I Look Like My Pet" Photo Contest
Rules That Cats Live By
 
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And the winner is...
Meet October's 2003 Photo Contest Winner & Runner Up
by Cat Connection

http://www.catconnection.com/contest/mon...


OCTOBER '03 WINNER

Voted The Cat Connection's "Cat of the Month" by public opinion.


Owners: Charlotte Singleton
Name:
Newman
Breed:
Domestic Short Hair
Age:
4 years

About the Winner
I work at a health center complex in Shreveport, LA and Newman wandered up the steps to one of the buildings as a 7 week old kitten. Story is he followed someone to work, but I couldn't verify. I think he was dropped off because we have a resident cat that has lived here for years, and I think someone knew he would be taken care of.

A friend in the building where he was dropped off called my office and asked if I wanted a kitten. I had just lost my dog and another cat. My Siamese cat had to be euthanized. Kidney failure. My dog, approximately 10 years old (a stray I acquired when he was approx. 9 months old, the best dog. I always said someone threw away a perfectly good dog), died suddenly exactly four weeks after my cat.

This left me with my currently 19 year old Havannah Brown cat Hershey (a male). Newman took to Hershey as though Hershey were his mother. And they have been best friends ever since. Newman is the most loving cat I have ever owned. He is a snuggler. Just an adorable cat, very sweet-natured cat..

OCTOBER '03 RUNNER UP
Voted The Cat Connection's "Cat of the Month Runner Up" by The Cat Connection staff.


Owners: Bonnie Gorman
Name:
Dizzy (and Bazooka the beta-fish)
Breed:
Domestic Short Hair
Age:
8 weeks

About the Runner Up
Just fed Bazooka the fish and before I could get the cover on the tank, Dizzy the kitten got a bit thirsty.... Bazooka had no comment.


Catching Those Purrfect Moments
Patience is the number one tool when it comes to cat photography!
by Cat Connection


Wouldn't it be great if you could have your camera with you at those fantastic times when your favorite furry friend is doing something extraordinary? Cat photography can be exhausting. The challenge is to keep up with them and catch them at their best moments.

Here are some handy tips to help you capture that special moment.

Keep notes. Record your cat's habits, your camera settings, type of film used, everything. You can refer to it continually to help improve each shot and it will help you anticipate your cat's next move.

Look for a comfortable environment. Your cat will be more alert and interested in things around her if she is in a familiar part of the house or the garden.

Keep your sense of humor. Cats get in all sorts of places! Take advantage of this for some quirky shots and look for comical or unusual situations.

Fill the frame. Try to make your cat as big as possible so you see more of her and less of the background.

See eye to eye. Get your camera down on their level or bring them up to the camera level.

Add some contrast. Try and find a background that contrasts with the color of your cat.

Shoot multiple shots. A couple of winners out of an entire role is all even a professional photographer can expect.

Set the pose. Take advantage of your cats eyes and ears. Use a squeaky toy behind the camera to attract her attention.

Use available light whenever possible. Avoid the flash, as this can unsettle your cat and give a "green eye" effect (feline version of "red-eye") unless they have blue eyes. This is caused by the intense light from a flash close to the camera lens reflecting back from the eye — much like when you take a flash picture directly into a mirror or glass window. If your flash can be removed from the camera, move the flash to the side or high above the camera and slightly at an angle. Bounce flash will also give great results for cat photography resulting in that soft lighting that enhances a cuddly cat or kitten. Taking your shot from an angle, or waiting until your cat¥s head is slightly turned will also do the job.

Think fast. To "Stop" the motion of a jumping or running cat, you will need at least a 1/500 second shutter speed. "Panning" with the action (moving the camera while following your cat's movement) will result in your pet being in clear focus (action stopped) and the background blurred — this can be a very effective tool for cat photography.

Good Luck!
Published by Cat Connection. Copyright © 2003 Cat Connection Inc. All rights reserved.