Inspired by Jim Garvie, I tried using an American Flag background for a couple of my photos shoots this past weekend. I have two cats and one ferret; my idea for the cat was to do something like the old Uncle Sam poster-Uncle Sam wants you! I shot a head shot of the cats with the flag background.

All comments welcome.

Cat Number 2

and da ferret

John,
I love both of the cat images. They're really nice.

The ferret was hard to shoot but the basket is a good idea. Might want to dodge him a little to bring him up.

The background is very nice and perfect for the 4th.

I like the lighting. What did you use?

Jim

Really nice pics, especially the second one.

I went looking for July 4th props yesterday for a Golden Retriever event that I have coming up this weekend.

I decided to stay clear of a physical flag in the photo location since I am going to be outdoors and I'm pretty picky about making sure a flag is displayed and treated properly. (which, you seem to have done just fine, so that's not my point )

I may offer an option to PS one in if folks go for the blue screen option over a regular backdrop.

I found a bunch of props at the local dollar store.

I like the shots too but I think they would be much improved with even softer light and a bit more shadow in the right place. To me the lighting is too hard, and to direct. The shadow cast by the cat, onto the background is a bit distracting as well. I would try shooting the cat a few feet farther from the backdrop and may even see what it looks like at f4 or 5.6, and I would get the flash off slightly to one side or the other, not a lot, but I think the shot because of the lighting you choose, looks a bit flat. . . You might also try a faster shutter speed to get that background to darken a bit thereby giving the cat more isolation or separation from it. . .



Tony

Thanks Tony, you make some very valid points. These shots were at SPCA and the ability to separate the animal from the backdrop is limited by the depth of the cage, about 30 inches and the ability to use off camera flash limited by the number of folks looking at the animals. For these shots, I wanted to try the on-camera flash bounced into a diffuser; last time (shots of the siemese posted last week) I used a softbox with a studio flash and it just took up to much room.

okay, that's cool, but try using the space and light you have more effectively, there always are more limitations than one can imagine. If you shoot faster and power down the flash, you will get more drama, better, softer light and an overall more appealing shot. This of course means you must shoot manual, which is no big deal, in fact if you dial it in it's more consistent anyhow, an I shoot nikon's which arguably have the best, most accurate and versatile flash systems of any dslr. . .

If i were you I would try the DEMB flip it, it's one of the best and most portable units i've ever used. If you want you can use it as a diffuser or a bounce card, or both, and it warms the light very nicely, sometimes too much, however if your shooting that close, it would work wonderful, and the way it's designed you dont need a fancy flash bracket, although I usually use one. . .

here it is, http://www.dembflashproducts.com/

BTW, it's a lot better in my view than the gary fong unit which i also own but dont use. . .

Thanks Tony, I use a similar flash reflector made out of craft foam that comes in 8x10 sizes; see http://super.nova.org/DPR/DIY01/ It is usually soft light but I think it is a bit harsh here because I am so close to the animals.

I always shoot manual mode, I prefer the control.