Sunday, June 26, 2011

The Human Ponders a Purchase

Hello, Kitties!  Ever since we started SpittySpeaks, the Human has been using an inexpensive Nikon Coolpix to take pictures of my glorious self. It has done a fine job, but lately she has begun to be frustrated by certain things: The long lag time between depressing the button and the picture actually being taken, the very poor results in low light, and the grainy/blurry result obtained by using the zoom feature or by taking a picture too close.
A friend (actually Chloe's Mom) offered to lend the Human her camera (a Sony Cyber Shot DSC-WX1 for any of you who know about such things--unlike my Human who is an ignoramus of the First Order when it comes to cameras) to try out for a week.
Well, she started fooling around with it this evening. Hmmmm. Some things seem better: The picture is taken very quickly when button is depressed, pictures taken in low light are not (as) blurry, but she is not yet completely happy. Maybe she should read the manual--ya think??

Here are a couple she took in medium room light with no flash:
Well, this is probably the best one, but it still seems oddly dim
On the plus side, this isn't blurry. On the down side, it's very dark. (Of course I *am* black, but still.)
Note the absence of a cat. Not bad but seems a bit flat and dim.

Overall, the pictures came out tons better than they would've with the old camera, but the Human will still need lots more practice and maybe some judicious use of the flash. Tomorrow I will pose and she will photograph me in daylight. Always more flattering to those of us with nothing to hide, MOL! Stay tuned!

21 comments:

Katnip Lounge said...

We rejoice in seeing you in all you glorious, focused felinity, Spitty!
Say, does your Human do any photoediting? Windows Live has a VERY easy FREE program, it might already be in the system if she has a PC. It takes care of ALL kinds of stuff...contrast, color, cropping, popping...Mommy loves it!

Athena said...

No matter what camera your human uses, you look furry handsome!

Angel Simba said...

Looking very handsome there, Spitty. I bet the pictures will be even better when your Mom learns a bit more about the camera features.

Brian's Home Blog said...

Hey Spitty, I think we all agree with Athena, you're always looking might fine, but new toys are fun!!!

Admiral Hestorb said...

Spitty, I have seen you in all your glory so the pictures are no surprise to moi! teehee ♥♥ See you with the Gerbers and half anf half! I have the nip!

Anonymous said...

Dear Spitty,
All shots of you are glorious! In low light, blurry or otherwise! Me thinks yous is a handsome cat no matter what!
However, me is waiting with baited breath to see fabulicious you tomorrow!
Kisses
Nellie

Stacy Hurt said...

Hey Spitz! That first shot is way coolio dude! Can't wait to see more pix with more light. You is so yummy and the more light you are in; the more your 'dark side' will absorb it; making for a lovely contrast!

xoxo
Ms. Stella O'Houligan

Summer at sparklecat.com said...

My human has a Sony Cybershot DSC-HX1, which is probably the next step up from what your human has borrowed, and she is addicted to it (as sadly, I know!). She thinks that with practice, your human should be able to get some pretty awesome shots with the DSC-WX1. She would only need a camera like my human's (or like the Nikon DSLR she also has) if she wanted to do photos for print or as a journalist (which is what my human does sometimes when she is not working as my assistant).

Daisy said...

My Mommeh uses a Canon Rebel XTi DSLR. She says that the photos started looking better when she got a better camera, but she does also use Photoshop Elements to edit (crop, resize and correct) the photos.

The Florida Furkids said...

Mom just got a new Nikon L120 that takes great low light photos. Dad has a Nikon D90 DSLR and he said Mom's does better in low light. Mom's also has HD video (and it's red which makes Mom super happy).

Mr Puddy said...

I think your mom camera is good for low light, My mom's camera always got blur and she have to fix in Photoshop !
xoxo

Makropoulos said...

Great pictures of you and your cool house, Spitty! Pisi and Squeak will be a little jealous, since I'm still using the Coolpix. In fact, I replaced it with a new Coolpix!

wildcatwoods said...

Speaking from experience...it is very hard to take good pics of black cats! Mom only got good pics when she got her digital SLR Cannon Rebel. Thanks very much for your birthday wishes!

Cats of wildcat woods

Willow said...

Spitty those pictures of you are great your black fur is really standing out with the borrowed camera. Looking forward to some more Spitty pictures.

The Island Cats said...

Spitty, my mom has a hard time taking pictures of me, too, because I'm black. She uses a Canon Sure Shot and is too lazy to learn how to use it properly to get good pictures.

Ernie

Tucker The Crestie said...

Our mom is pondering a camera purchase as well, and photography lessons to go along with it. We are of course encouraging her strongly, since her picture taking skills are, to say the least, nonexistent.

BTW, Mom wanted me to tell you to tell YOUR mom thanks for the comment on Friday's post. She appreciates it!

Raymond and Busby said...

Our Mom is so lazy she's been using her stupid iPhone all the time to take our photos lately. Duhr.

Marg said...

We have to agree that taking pictures of a black cat is a hard thing to do. We do like all of your pictures though. Our Mom knows nothing about cameras except how to turn it on and aim it. Looks like you have tons of great suggestions. In fact we might look at some of those cameras. We sure don't have the green papers but it is fun to look.

Teddy Westlife said...

Just be thankful she doesn't have a massive DSL camera with a flash as big as you are. Like my mum, otherwise known as the pupparazzi, does.

Christine and FAZ said...

Can't wait to see you in full flash. FAZ

Catsparella said...

I love that first pic!! Lion pose!