A Study in Red — Interrupted

It all starts with filling the front room with a table, a backdrop, and 3-5 lights. Enough so we can’t use the room or even walk through it. (I have a very understanding husband!)

Cassie didn’t want to sit still for the lighting tests, so Trey was the stand in. I finally bought a stuffed animal for setting up my lighting. It was just too difficult to guess!

So — third black cat — Trey? Get it? Three?

Anyway, it’s time to figure out the lighting. First we start by adding just a touch of backlighting. Trying to separate the cat from the background a bit, get some light into the bowl, etc. (Though I chose a lower point of view when doing the shot, so the lighting on the bowl wasn’t as necessary.) I should have adjusted it more at this point, but was too excited, so I kept going.

Then we needed a little light on the left side, so it was time to play with that light. I wanted a little bit of drama, so it was going to be a little shadowed.

Then we needed the key light

That was a little too hot, so brought that down, and added in the side lighting

After Trey took a break, and while I was still working out the lighting, Cassiopeia decided to start checking things out.

And then we started playing. I loved this one, but she was chewing on a hair tie, and I didn’t like the open mouth and it’s corresponding red color

Then Cleo wanted to be a part of things.

Which led to one of my favorite shots of all time. It could have been so perfect, if I would have just moved a tiny bit to the right to get more of a perfect profile. But I still adore it!