(Translated from the original post on June 04, 2024)
Hello cat lovers, I'm Minew and I live with four cats!
This time I'd like to talk about "yawning" photos of cats.
Just looking at cats sleeping, yawning, stretching, etc. makes you feel relaxed, doesn't it? Cats sleep a lot, and I often see them yawning, but when I try to capture it in a photo, the opportunity doesn't come along very often.
GR III, P mode, ISO200, 1/400sec, F2.8, 0.0EV, WB: Auto, Crop 50mm, Retouched (Crop)
Cats don't always move the way we want them to, and yawns are surprisingly short and sudden. It is even harder to capture the moment when their mouth is fully open.
So what do you do? Since it is difficult to focus and aim at the moment of yawning, we basically wait and loosely observe. The trick is to anticipate and be prepared so you don't miss it when it happens.
GR II, P mode, ISO100, 1/90sec, F4.5, +1.0EV, WB: Auto, Crop 35mm, Retouched (Rotation)
First, the GR is in your hand. When you think the cat is asleep, have it ready at hand or in your breast pocket. Approach it gently so as not to wake it.
Although the GR is a camera that takes a short time to power on and be ready to shoot, if you turn it on when the cat starts yawning, you won't make it in time.
I would point the camera at the cat with the intention of taking a picture of the cat sleeping and have the camera ready to shoot (shutter halfway down and in focus). Then, when you feel a yawn coming, or when it starts yawning, you think, "There you go," and gently press the shutter at the right moment. (Don't be too eager. Take the picture with a loose, casual movement.)
GR III, P mode, ISO100, 1/15sec, F2.8, -0.3EV, WB: Auto, 50mm Crop, Retouched (Crop, Level compensation)
The GR is your friend with its short shutter lag and low noise level. Use a high ISO and a short shutter speed, as blur tends to occur. You may also be more successful if you use continuous shooting and bracketing. You will probably get a lot of unsuccessful shots, but the more you take, the more success you will have.
GR IIIx, P mode, ISO800, 1/80sec, F2.8, -2.0EV, WB:Auto, Retouched (Level compensation)
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Although I have written about technicalities, cats will not sleep in front of you unless they are with someone they can relax with. Play with them, frolic with them, pet them, yawn with them. Watch them all the time. An intimate and pleasant relationship will give you the opportunity to photograph them.
The photo will show the relationship between the photographer and the cat, which will be very special.
If you have the opportunity to be with your cat, please try cat yawning photos.
See you soon!
(Minew)
