And the winner is...
Enter now and your cat could be a star!
http://www.catconnection.net/contest/mon...
by Cat Connection

We hold a monthly photo contest for fun and your cats photo can be seen by thousands of people every month. If your cat wins, it will be posted on the internet and in our fabulous newsletter.

Hurry now and enter. We are now taking submissions for October. The deadline for entries is 8.26.03. Click here to see the current month's entries and vote for your favorite!

SUBMISSIONS
Send your photo as an email attachment to cats@thecatconnection.com, providing us with your name, your pet's name, pet age, breed, and pet bio.

GUIDELINES FOR PHOTOS
ˆAttach a photo file in any of the following file formats: jpg, eps, bmp, tiff or gif.
ˆThe maximum file size we can accept is 1MB (about 600 x 600 pixels at 72dpi).
ˆThe minimum file size we will accept is 200x200 pixels at 72 dpi (120k file size).

Our staff web designer/graphic artist is very busy so please make sure your photo is in focus and lit well enough to see your cat in the photo.

We can also accept hard-copy submissions. Just drop your photo off at Cat Connection or by mail. We will scan it in for you and post to our site. Please provide contact information, your cats name and bio and a self-addressed stamped envelope, if you want your photo returned.

HOW IS THE WINNER DETERMINED?
Currently, the winner is determined by online voting. Voters can vote once for only one cat (that means you cannot vote 200 times for your cat, unless you use 200 different computers-so no cheating:). If the Internet crashes then an independent panel of judges will be asked to determine the winning photo. If your photo is chosen for publication, we will make an effort to notify you via the email address you used to submit your photo, by telephone or mail. We will need to obtain your information on where to send your prize. Cat of the Month winners will receive either a gift certificate for shopping at Cat Connection or our choice of a cool cat product.

Catching Those Purrfect Moments
Patience is the number one tool when it comes to cat photography!
http://www.thecatconnection.com
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.

ˆ 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.

ˆ 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.

ˆ 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.

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

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

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

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

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

ˆ 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 û 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.

ˆ 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 û this can be a very effective tool for cat photography.

Good Luck!