Good Luck with Black Cats

We DID have good luck with black cats at the TICA Annual in Orlando, Florida, this past weekend. We shot a Bombay: "Indy," a Black Maine Coon kitten: "Syslmod III," a Black Savannah: "Baz," and a Black Maine Coon adult female: "CinderPaw"and a Black Maine Coon adolescent: "Count Blackula."

Mysticoon Syslmod III, a 4 month old Solid Black Maine Coon male kitten from Nancy Sabra Hull, the owner, and bred by Muriel Kay Heimer of Mysticoon Cattery. Background: Imperial Blue.

IW SGC Toriland Passion "Indy" of Chaparrel, a 1 year, 8 month old Solid Black Bombay neuter. Indy was brought to us for photographs by Jeff and Heather Roberts of Chaparrel Cattery. Background: Purple.

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Indy earned the prestigious award of being TICA's Alter of the Year and was so honored at the Annual Award Banquet on Saturday!

Count Blackula, 7 month Solid Black Maine Coon male kitten, from Janie and Allen Harris of Royal Lions Cattery. Count Blackula is a son of RW SGC Tanstaafl Beauregard and CH Broadsway CinderPaw of RoyalLions. Background: Old Gold with red taken out post-processing.

At this show, we had an unusually high number of black cats to photograph. There is a problem photographing black cats though ... the camera has nothing to focus on unless the cat's eyes are open ... and stays open. Then I can focus on the eyes. But if the cat's head is down, or lowered, or not looking at the camera, then Ken has to put his hand over the back of the cat and I focus on his hand. One of the things most often heard when we are photographing a black cat, is me yelling out "Hand" ... then ..."focused!" And this has to happen for every pose with the exception of close ups.

GC Broadsway CinderPaw of RoyalLions, a 1.5 year old Solid Black Maine Coon female, from Janie and Allen Harris of Royal Lions Cattery. Background: Periwinkle.

CinderPaw and FirePaw, sisters. Background: Periwinkle.

CH Broadsway FirePaw of RoyalLions, seen above with CinderPaw, is a 1.5 year old Brown Classic Torbie Maine Coon Female, from Janie and Allen Harris of Royal Lions Cattery.

Kirembo Barack "Baz," a 10 month old Black Savannah neuter, brought to us from

Brigitte Cowell of Kirembo Cattery. Background: Old Gold.

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Baz, the Black Savannah, was a very large cat even though he was only 10 months old -- and when he went striding across our photo table, I had a split second after his tail came into the frame before his nose left the background on the other side.

Lucky for us, Karen Frankenfield offered to help with the cats during shooting as well as helping to change out backgrounds, etc, so she would hold the cat with his front feet on the table, Ken would tease the cat across the table and at the right moment, get the cat to look at the camera while striding across. It's hard to get this pose but worth it. This is the one pose that shows the body conformation, head shape and actually ... everything about the cat!

http://www.photopoints.com/main/photos/showphoto.aspx?pid=64CA+6A88D8F8AF87AE4

(Link to Baz striding across the table was posted to PhotoPoints, a website for photographers.)

Kirembo Amadi Binah "Maddie," photographed with her brother, "Baz," is a 10 month old Brown Spotted Tabby Savannah female, from Brigitte Cowell of Kirembo Cattery. Background: Old Gold .

The 2009 Annual was a good show for us. It was great seeing old friends as well as seeing breeders get awards for their winning cats. The Southeast really knows how to put on a good show!