Stare Down
Beautiful green eyed cat staring at me from the path above at Virginia Lake, Wanganui, in Autumn, New Zealand.
Beautiful green eyed cat staring at me from the path above at Virginia Lake, Wanganui, in Autumn, New Zealand.
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May, 2022Views
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Awards
People's Choice in Black And White Tuxedo Cats Photo Challenge
Peer Award
Top Choice
Superb Composition
Absolute Masterpiece
Magnificent Capture
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Impressed
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken on the pathway overlooking Virginia Lake, Wanganui, late in the afternoon on a late Autumn day. The cat had been basking in the sun on a warm path and sat up as I approached on the path below.Time
It was late in the afternoon and also being at the very end of Autumn the sun was low in the sky and the cat was enjoying the warmth while it could.Lighting
It was sunny and surprisingly warm so I waited for the sun to go partially behind a cloud to capture this shot. It is a natural shot with the cat clearly set out and slightly backlit against the green of the bushes behind. Where the cat's white fur is gently highlighted by the sun it creates a soft blend with the blurred colors of the leaves behind.Equipment
I was using my Canon PowerShot SX60 HS that day and took the photo with the camera hand held with an attached monopod which I did not need to lower. 247mm f/6.5 1/40sec ISO800 180dpiInspiration
Virginia Lake is set among bush and gardens as your head out of Wanganui towards Taranaki. It is an area I have enjoyed visiting since I was a small child. It is calming and relaxing among the wildlife and bush. The walk around the lake is gentle and there are numerous native birds, cormorant, ducks, geese, turtles and swans to photograph. The cat caught my eye as I neared the end of the walk around the Lake. She was resting peacefully in the sun and sat up as I approached. She was on the path above me and she stared straight at me. Her bright green eyes caught my full attention as I saw the beauty of her long black and white fur. It was in the eyes and the bush behind that I saw the potential of this shot, one color reflecting in the other.Editing
This image spoke for itself and did not require any post processing in my opinion. The head was crisp and sharp with the detail of the cat's face clearly standing out against the green of the bushes behind which also enabled the cat's green eyes to be a feature of the shot.In my camera bag
I always carry two cameras with me. My Nikon Coolpix P950 and my Canon SX60 HS. I choose these cameras as I have difficulty holding up heavy cameras with lens attachments. These two cameras suit me very well as they are both relatively lightweight to hold up and carry. The 83x optical zoom of the COOLPIX P950 covers an incredible focal-length range, from wide-angle 24mm to super-telephoto 2,000mm and everything in between. The PowerShot SX60 HS has a gigantic 65X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 21-1365mm (naturally, it has image stabilization). With these cameras I also attach a monopod for extra stability. I carry extra sim cards and batteries. There is nothing worse than running out of battery at that crucial moment.Feedback
I always feel you need to observe your natural environment quietly and take time to rest and wait. Wildlife in the areas you visit can be quite prolific. You just have to have patience and it can take days to get the shot you are looking for. Lighting, weather and timing all play a part. Learn the habits of the animals and birds you are looking to photograph. Also always take your camera with you for those unexpected moments that happen right in front of you. Many of my photographs have been taken that way, out on a walk or sitting by the Lake or in the bush. Enjoy your photography and observe closely, taking time to look up and down and even beneath your feet. I photographed a wee robin as I sat patiently on a seat and it finally came to me.
