Of flowers, cats and this blog
It had to be someone from the other side of the world to tell me there is a connection between my passion for cats and flower photography the way I see it. That, in fact, triggered the creation of this blog, that was in my mind, but I had not yet reached the “let’s do it” stage.
Cat Respect, the blog, got its name from a change of emails with someone that bought my eBook The Best Secrets of Flower Photography. That’s how it all started, and because it is so interesting, at least from where I see it, I decided to share it with readers, especially those that love cats, flowers and — why not? -, photography.
On December 20, 2016 I got one email from someone living in Australia who had just bought my eBook on flowers. The eBook is a 36 page practical guide with 38 photographs of flowers and tips that guide people to photograph flowers as I do, a technique which seems to appeal to people. The eBook is not much about technical aspects, which are much the same all the time, as exposure is very much limited by the lens in use and the options I take in terms of aperture. The photographs published and used as guide are also not the result of special effects, or Photoshop tricks. They represent very much what was captured in the field.
So, now that I explained my eBook, it’s time to get back on track with my story. The person that bought my eBook wrote to me stating that “I’m really looking forward to reading it” and I replied, sending the eBook with the notes I usually write down to explain the eBook itself.
I wrote, then “There isn’t much reading to do in my eBook, I guess. There are lots of images to read, to try to understand how they were created. In terms of technique, it is very much the same, all the time: flowers that are distant enough from a background so that it becomes diffused. Long lens, wide apertures, high shutter speed, as I rarely use a tripod for these flowers, although I do use tripods for some flowers photographed the Meet Your Neighbours way. My flowers are much the result of looking for the right subjects, under the right conditions, and taking the time to get the final shot as perfect as possible. Editing in the computer is mostly adjustment of balance, color vibrancy and a touch of sharpness. What I try to explain to people is that patience, more than technique, is what makes them work. Having the patience to work that way means you enter a kind of contemplative state that helps you to feel both good during those moments (and afterwards) and get results like mine. It’s simple, and the technique is just a part of it, but is mostly always the same. It’s SEEING that helps to get flowers like mine. If you liked them, then this is the recipe. No secrets!”
I got an interesting reply to my email. It read like this: “Thank you for forwarding the copy of your ebook to me. I have gone through it a couple of times today & just love it. I became interested in getting the book when I read your article ‘Flowers my own way’ on your website. I was intrigued when I read your ideas about sitting, looking at the flower, & taking time to get to know it. That was exactly the sort of information I needed. There is so much information available on how to get a good exposure, it is really nice to find something that talks about how to put heart & soul into your photos.”
I must admit it really touched me, because I felt this was someone that really understood me… which is not always the case. Some people expect to find some magic trick in the eBook, when the trick is really inside each one of us. That’s what my eBook is all about! I just try to tell people where to look for.
As I use to do when I find someone interesting and interested, I replied with this note: “If you’re interested in following my readings — and I do try to share my perspectives on different areas of photography and also some video — visit the following links and keep them on your favorites. If you feel the need to ask further about a subject just email me. And do share with your friends any article/text/note you may feel deems to be shared.”
Immediately I got a reply. It read like this: “Jose, thank you for sending those links. I will make good use of them — lots of reading & viewing there. The one that immediately caught my eye was ‘One year living with yellow’. It makes sense that someone who takes the time to get to know a flower also has time to talk to cats. I have been lucky enough to share my home with 4 stray cats over a number of years & I have had the same experience — each of them was amazing — so loving, so gentle, so loyal. I am convinced it is the result of looking them in the eye, chatting about the day & getting their opinion on important decisions! Respect goes a long way.”
I took the liberty of using transcripts from our exchange of emails, because it was at this moment that the idea of going ahead with the blog gained substance. And the idea of a title for it, Cat Respect, helped to make it an urgent matter. I do believe that things happen for a reason, and now I had my reasons to start something I had in the back of my mind for months… maybe waiting for the right trigger for it to develop. That’s how this blog became a reality.
Our exchange of emails continued, though, and it made even more pressing to create the blog. From my down under contact I got a note I wanted to share with more people. The note said this: ”… you might be interested in this cat story. About a year ago a cat rescue opened up a Cat Cuddle Cafe in Brisbane. The rescue doesn’t house the cats — they operate a big network of foster carers so that each cat rescued is placed with a foster family. From this group, the more confident healthy cats may go to live in the ‘cafe’ (food is served upstairs, the cat room is downstairs). All of the cats are up for adoption regardless of whether they live with foster carers or in the cafe. They have managed to adopt one per day since they opened. The woman who runs the rescue ends up housing those cats who will never be able to be adopted — those who need palliative care etc. She currently has the sweetest family of 4 in her care — a mum who was severely malnourished with 3 baby girls with significant bone deformities. There is a video called ‘Boxing Phyllis’. Two of the 3 girls are now in plaster casts to try to support the bones during their growth spurt. Not everyone agrees with the extent to which she will go to look after these abandoned cats but I feel it brings out a deeper part of our humanity — something which is not easily seen in today’s world.”
I received the information on December 21 and the next day I had the blog Cat Respect up, a first exploration of using Medium to create a publication. I picked two stories I had published before, about cats that are dear to me, and added a first note to explain the, the text “One more blog about cats”… although Medium publishes stories by date, meaning the two earlier stories show first. I also wanted to share the story of Boxing Phyillis and the Cat Cuddle Cafe, so here they are. Follow the links here and share the story with friends and family. If you’re close by, go and drink a coffee there, as it helps to keep the project up. Or do more. This article from the Daily Mail I found on December 21 will help you to understand the whole story. Just follow the link!
I replied this to my contact: “You’re absolutely right about the cats. I talk to my companion cats as well, and do respect them all the way. As I work from home, they are always around and we do have long discussions about everything. One of them, Yellow, which is the one that has been with me longer (a little over one year now), has a large vocabulary of sounds that sometimes amazes people when they hear her. I guess it comes from so much “talking” with me. They never cease to amaze me too, really, and I’ve always enjoyed cats. The behavior of Yellow is very similar to the cats I shared space with before, meaning that they really reflect the way they are treated and the atmosphere they live in. They also make amazing models for photography, just being… cats. One of these days I need to find the time to create a blog with pictures and videos of them going about their thing.”
So that’s it, the blog Cat Respect, which you’re reading now!
