The proof is in the puddy

Thanks to Tuck's recommendation that we read the camera manual -- having previously read only as much as was necessary to get started when the Pentax Optio 450 first came into our life a few years back -- in our quest to capture detailed close-ups of tiny things like insects and spiders and the innards of flowers, we discovered along the way something called the "portrait shooting mode":

Enables to take portraits with spatial effect, by emphasizing the person.

The proof is in the puddy (Babe, above, out on his tether sniffing the breeze this afternoon).

Getting off on scent marking the privet, he neary toppled over backwards in ecstasy. Note right ear squished down by branch responding to the ardor of his caress.

A portrait of determination. Straining to reach something just beyond his reach (see blue tether stretched taut, lower left), the Babe started gagging just after we caught this "Microcosm of America at its best" moment.

As the dinner hour approached, the cats grew restive, attempting to displace -- in the Dr. Sanity sense -- their impatience with diversionary tactics. A great social yawn on the part of Baby Cakes elicited the usual look of disgust from a disapproving Tiny.

Update: Our imail correspondent comments:

I must say, though, if you cut out the commentary, Baby's supposed "social yawn" could easily be used as "I want to kill my sister."

Dr. Sanity would approve.

Update II:  More portraits of all creatures great and small, with and without backbones, at Modulator's Friday Ark #148, plus all cats all the time at Carnival of the Cats #173 now playing at one of the Father of All Cat Bloggers, Laurence Simon's other blogs, 100 Word Stories Podcast.

Comments

[goomp]

Name me two cats better known to the Blogosphere than Babe and Tiny.

[Teresa]

"Thanks to Tuck's recommendation..."

LOL - Tuck recommended reading the manual? He's gonna get thrown out of the old boys club at this rate. Men never read manuals.

I'm glad you found the portrait mode - I believe most cameras that are better then the "point and shoot" variety have got a mode like this. I know our old cameras all have it including our digital.

Have fun with the photos! And as usual Tiny and Baby are in fine form.

[Gayle Miller]

Except for my exquisite Tim and my stupendously handsome brat Sam, there ARE no more beautiful pussycats than Baby and Tiny!

Being concierge to my two boys has slightly rotted my brain!

[Aloysius]

Baby and Tiny look fabulous in these photos--as I'm sure they do in real life.

Thanks for your comment about my "cat art." Yes, cats are great artists in their own right. Have you seen the book Why Cats Paint? I hear there's a movie coming out, too!

[Roz]

Sisu - I love your puddy pics, and I love visiting here. When I leave, it is always with a smile on my face :)