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PHAbymom: On behalf of Jeff Barringer and all of us at Cat Hobbyist, I'm very pleased to welcome Helmi Flick to our Ninth Annual Chat Week.

PHAbymom: Says Helmi, "Cat Photography is not the most mainstream of career fields. In fact, most folks who ask me what I do for a living have never even heard of a 'cat photographer.' But then, just a few years ago, neither had I. Now I am one. and, looking back, it's hard to imagine that it took me 30 years of my working life - diligently sleepwalking through administrative positions in the legal, medical and computer industries - to figure out what I was really meant to do. I finally got here by a route most people only dream of by turning something I loved to do into a new career." Helmi returns this year with her popular series of discussions on cat photography.

PHAbymom: Thank you so much for joining us, Helmi and welcome back!

Helmi: Thank you. Both Ken and I are here ... he's my techie and roadie and the man I sleep with .. . :)

jonid1: .sorry

PHAbymom: Hi Ken... nice to have you back with us again, too!

NYC_NYIfan: I have red-eye reduction in the app I use (Paint Shop Pro), but is there a way to shoot indoors and minimize the red-eye to begin with? Some of my cat pix look like the cat needs to switch to decaf.

Helmi: Ken says Nice to be here.

Helmi: NYC: Yes .. turn off your flash .. use natural light and no flash .. or a flash that is located away from the camera lens.

NYC_NYIfan: thanks.

fireladie: What is the best thing you can do to photograph a black cat at home with simple home equipment?

Helmi: fireladie: The problem is getting enough light on the cat and getting the auto focus to "see" the cat.. I use Ken's hand to prefocus, then take the shot. We have a Black Brit at home and I found out early in the game that the camera wouldn't see or focus on anything but the eyes. Is this the problem you're having?

fireladie: similar problem yes

fireladie: and when I do take a photo with flash.. she ends up too shiny LOL

Helmi: fireladie: Also use a dark background, a simple one, so the tones will be similar. A shiny black cat is cool, to my mind.

fireladie: hehe thanks

Helmi: fireladie: It's that On-Camera Flash ... the enemy of good photos.

PHKellen: Is there a trick to taking photos of blue-eyed cats? I never can get it right ... always red-eyed.

Helmi: PHKellen: You're using a flash ... blue eyed cats tend to have the flash bounce off their retinal cells at the back of their eye and the bounce comes into the lens. Your light source, whatever it is, has to be away from your camera lens.

PHKellen: So no flash. Okay, thanks. ;)

PHAbymom: Helmi, I notice that you use very saturated colors on your backgrounds, does that help show off the cat?

Helmi: PHKellen: I realize that when I say "Turn off the flash" that's easier said than done when you're trying to get pictures inside. But that's what you have to do.

PHKellen: Okay, Helmi ... thanks for the advice!

Helmi: PHAbymom: Sometimes we use vivid colors for black cats or black and white cats, but just as often we'll use muted earth tones. I figure if the coat color can handle it, why not use the most color you can! After all, it's to show off the cat really. If it's about the background and not the cat, I didn't do a good job. :) ga

PHAbymom: But the colors are saturated... not really muted colors... and have depth even tho they contrast to the cat color.

Helmi: Suggestion for photographing your cats at home: sit them on a solid color blanket and then photograph them under natural light. give it a try! ga

Helmi: PHAbymom: you must be referring to the light on the backboard which brings out the vibrancy of the background color. ga

PHAbymom: Yes

PHAbymom: Thank you, Helmi

PHAbymom: If you check this link, it shows how Helmi sets up to shoot cats at a cat show

PHAbymom: BTW, it is a very good article and interview with Helmi!

Helmi: All my information is free!

PHAbymom: And her wonderful photographs!

PHAbymom: Helmi, maybe you are missing a revenue stream... teaching pet owners ...

PHKellen: How do you get the cats to sit still for the photos? That must be the hardest part!

Helmi: PHAbymom: You're probably right. But I give a lot of advice via emails.

Helmi: PHKellen: That's Ken's job. He's the wrangler and uses a "tease" ... he says it doesn't always work. We don't show the failures! A feather works great ...but some cats are more sound oriented while others cringe at noise ... you have to find what your own cat responds to.

PHAbymom: That's easy.. food.

PHKellen: Mine always seem to move just when I take the photo, LOL. Thanks!

Helmi: PHAbymom: Yeah, you will have a lot of tongue shots if you use food as the tease!

PHKellen: Oh, tongue shots are my favorite! ;)

PHAbymom: I will have a lot of shots of an aby on her hind legs.

Helmi: PHKellen: You need to get your cat in a plane ... prefocus... don't move the camera... then take the shot when the cat strikes the pose you want. Tough to do without help.

PHKellen: Okay, thanks, Helmi!

Helmi: Glad to help!

Helmi: Sometimes we find it's easier to shoot other people's cats than our own. It has a lot to do with cats knowing what they can get away with with their own people and being a bit intimidated with strangers. ga

PHAbymom: Gonzilly, your question please

gonzilly: How can I get my black and white cat not to be blurry?

Helmi: Gonzilly: Hold the camera still.

Helmi: Sorry, I couldn't resist!

PHAbymom: Use a tripod?

gonzilly: haha

gonzilly: He isn't moving and neither am I, but he always turns out fuzzy and the others don't.

Helmi: Gonzilly: I have that very problem ... it is so easy to move the camera, forgetting that I"ve prefocused, and then when I get home I find that the shot is "soft" or out of focus. You will have to decide what to save .... the whites or the blacks of the coat. Is your cat mostly white or mostly black? ga

PHAbymom: wb Jonid1

gonzilly: mostly black

Helmi: Gonzilly: the camera isn't focusing on your mostly black cat. You need to have something in the same plane as where your cat is to prefocus on. A piece of paper with writing on it ... or a friend's hand.

Helmi: Gonzilly: focus the camera on your cats eye. That will help.

http://www.nwpphotoforum.com/ubbthreads/JM_Pieces/hflick/hflick_pt3.htm?Cat ok, thanks, I will try that

PHAbymom: Gonzo did you see the answer?

gonzokat: yes, I did

PHAbymom: Catwoman, your question, please

CatWoman_nr: Some people help me feed cats. I went to check the cats Friday, and the volunteer did not feed them is did not return my call, what do you think I should do now?

PHAbymom: Catwoman, this is a special guest chat on cat photography...

CatWoman_nr: the poor cats were soaking wet in the rain in the afternoon waiting for their food. She knows she has to feed in the mornings.

PHAbymom: I suggest you feed them and try to find out why the others skipped out on them.

CatWoman_nr: it's a 23 yr. old girl who just feeds on Fridays. she is not returning my call asking why they were not fed.

PHAbymom: Cat, I am sorry... I wouldn't have the foggiest idea why she wouldn't have done it... but it sounds like she might not be dependable.

PHAbymom: Gonzo, your question please

gonzokat: what is your trick on getting the cat to pose nicely?

jonid1: exactly

gonzokat: I have one that always poses on his own

CatWoman_nr: Which would mean that she also stole a 20 lb. bag of cat food I gave her to feed these cats. she was a volunteer since October and I thought I could trust her.

Helmi: Gonzokat: Not all cats pose nicely. Kittens are easy. Showcats are pretty easy. If a cat has a good time in front of the camera, it will pose well the next time.

gonzokat: The cat is more interested in walking up and visiting with me.

CatWoman_nr: How do you know when to use the flash for a picture of the cat?

Helmi: Gonzokat: You need a second person to help and settle the cat down where you want the cat to be and then, on your signal, get out of the way so you can take the shot.

gonzokat: OK, thanks

Helmi: CatWoman: never use a flash unless you have access to studio flashes off the camera. ga

CatWoman_nr: Sometimes my pictures come out too dark. what is the best lighting in the room?

Helmi: CatWoman: Window light or a lot of artificial illumination.

Helmi: CatWoman: are you shooting with a digital camera?

CatWoman_nr: No it's not digital. should the light be in front of the cat?

CatWoman_nr: The only picture that came out beautiful was when one of my cats was sitting on a window sill on a sunny day (southern exposure window)

Helmi: CatWoman: the light should be above the cat, in front of the cat, it needs to shine on the cat. From the side is okay too. If the light comes from where the camera is you will get alien eyes on your cat.

Helmi: CatWoman: Natural light.

CatWoman_nr: another question, please: how close can I get to my cats without it being a blurry picture?

Helmi: CatWoman: depends on your camera. Your manual will tell you the closest focusing distance.

PHAbymom: Kellen, your question please.

PHKellen: Do certain background colors show off coat colors better? For instance, what color is best for a grey cat?

CatWoman_nr: It's not an expensive camera, unfortunately. I guess the camera quality is a big issue then?

Helmi: PHKellen: I find that colors in the blue palette work best for gray cats.

PHKellen: Oh, that would be pretty. ;) Thanks. How about a tan (himalayan) cat?

PHAbymom: Because they are really "blue" cats...

Helmi: PHKellen: For example, my gray cat looks terrible on warm colors .... like a rust, for example. She looks like a dirty gray!

Helmi: PHKellen: Himys, Seal Points, look good on chocolate, purple, burgundy, the blues. But I try not to photograph blue eyed cats on blue because it fights with their eye color. The blue eyes "pop" on chocolate, for example.

PHAbymom: Helmi, what colors do you like for red abys... I've always had ruddies... and Paloma is my first red.

PHKellen: thanks, Helmi.

Helmi: PHAbymom: I just photographed a Ruddy on our Imperial Blue ... a bit shocking, but it looked good! I really like to either go with a monochromatic look, like chocolate, or the opposite on the color wheel ... green or teal.

PHAbymom: Your question please.

NYC_NYIfan: What do you do if you are shooting a Calico or Tortie? White, ORANGE, and black?

Helmi: NYC: Click the shutter button. ga

Helmi: :) couldn't resist. What is the question?

NYC_NYIfan: But the issue is .... what about cats with those color patterns? And we know that the breeders' red is ORANGE

Helmi: NYC: Easy ... pick the most obvious one ... Calico looks great on Teal. Think of the flashy coat and that is because of the red... then think what goes well with a red cat? ga

Helmi: NYC: Calico also looks good on Chocolate or Black.

NYC_NYIfan: So I need to get a Sharks sweater for cathy?

NYC_NYIfan: (for the teal)

fireladie: What colors for a black cat?

Helmi: fireladie: Ah, for a black cat: primary colors ... they can handle it. Red, Green, Blue, Purple.

Helmi: Black cats can carry any jewel tone.

cannonbawlfranci: What about white cats?

fireladie: (my cats a princess) :P

Helmi: Franci: Same thing as for a black cat ... they can also handle jewel tones but can also handle pastels. Not that I like pastels, but I've seen some nice photos by others with lighter colors.

NYC_NYIfan: what about a tabby DSH?

Helmi: NYC: Brown? Blue? Cream? Silver? What color tabby?

NYC_NYIfan: Brownish/pepper

NYC_NYIfan: http://gallery.pethobbyist.com/index.php?photo=309240

Helmi: NYC: Burgundy looks great as do earth tones, or tan/honey. Also blue with some green in it. But make it about the cat and not about your background!

NYC_NYIfan: Helmi, but you saw that picture of the cat on the orange pillow? He's not a "brown tabby"

Helmi: NYC: nope. When I saw I was disconnected, I got back in the chat room. ga

Helmi: NYC: don't keep me in suspense. What color IS he?

NYC_NYIfan: Not sure what color name you use for hm.

PHAbymom: Helmi, some browsers are picky about letting you open new windows from the chat room... sorry about that.

NYC_NYIfan: He's not really brown tabby

gonzokat: how did you get started in the profession?

Helmi: Gonzo: Shooting my own cats and burning up too much film. Then Ken got me a digital camera and I started learning from my mistakes. This happened in 1999.

Helmi: Gonzo: I'm still making mistakes and I am still learning!

gonzokat: It is something I would love to start doing

PHAbymom: Helmi, you have a fine arts background tho, so have the trained eye for composition.

Helmi: Gonzo: well come on! We can use more cat photographers!

Helmi: PHAbymom: Fine arts and drawing are something you can take in a class.

PHAbymom: Yes, but having the eye for composition is something you have... inside... like a musician's ear for music.

Helmi: PHAbymom: but you also need a love of cats and I'll bet you've got that in spades!

fireladie: How many cats do you have now? hehe.. i have one lil girl name Diesel, who is black as coal

PHAbymom: I do, but even with drawing and photography classes, I dont have the eye... LOL

Helmi: fireladie: 4 Diesel is a great name. My black boy is named Nox ... Latin for "night."

PHAbymom: On behalf of Cathobbyist.com, Jeff B, and myself, I want to take a moment to thank Helmi Flick for being part of our chat week. Helmi, thanks for taking the time out to chat with us on Cat Photography!

Helmi: PHAbymom and others: It was our pleasure. Both Ken and I enjoy being a part of this! Good night you all! Tickle your kitties under the chin for us.