When Wayne bought me my new digital camera last Christmas, I knew it spelled trouble for Murphy, Mr. Meow and Tabby. Because not only could I take pictures without having to hassle with film anymore (which freed me to snap, snap, snap as many pics as I wanted), I could also take video.
An Amateur Pet Film Maker Is Born
I had such high hopes that I could capture Mr. Meow doing his maestro show on the air vent or the cats chasing each other, but so far no luck. I quickly found out what a tricky business capturing pets in action can be.
Every time I saw them doing something cute or funny, I dashed off to get the camera. But by the time I got back they had either stopped doing whatever it was, or weren’t doing it as cute as they had been at first.
Like Tabby on the counter making the barking jingle bell card work. She had nuzzed it open with her nose, then set about trying to destroy it. Hysterical!
So I ran for the camera. But when I came back, she wasn’t as enthusiastic as before.
However, it led to a funny clip anyway because I encouraged her to play with the card, but then she set her sights on destroying something else. And I wonder why she’s a Shredinator! (If you want to see the results of this attempt, click here.)
Grrrrr.
How was I supposed to showcase their adorableness to the world if I couldn’t capture it?
By learning to be quicker about getting the camera. Which meant learning to keep it in a central location where I could easily grab it.
But then I realized in addition to sometimes having to contend with a temperamental cast, it’s also tricky figuring out how to focus on my subjects. There are close ups and pull outs to consider for getting the best angle, and, hence, telling the best video story.
Directors and filmographers make it look so easy!
Practice, Practice, Practice
If I ever hoped to get any good clips, I would just have to do one thing: practice as much as possible.
So that’s what I started doing.
When we finally got enough snow last winter to build Murph a snowman to destroy, I made sure to have camera in hand. But this was perhaps the perfect example of Murph not performing on cue. (Click here to see what I mean.)
Instead of rushing to get the paper cup to rescue the lizard Murphy and Tabby had cornered (one Tabby no doubt had dragged in from the garage, I rushed to get the camera first. (Click here to see the result of that effort.)
Another good one of Murph exhibiting his own mind (a polite way of saying “his stubbornness”) was when I tried to get him to do his “Stick ‘em up!” trick. He did it all right. Once. He made it clear he was not going to oblige me with an immediate command performance, though. (Click here to see my stubborn dog in action. Or inaction as the case may be…)
Your Turn
Have you uploaded video of your pets on YouTube? If so share the links! Or share links to any other favorite pet videos that you like.
Courtney Mroch writes about animals great and small in Pets and the harmony and strife that encompasses married life in Marriage. For a full listing of her articles click here.
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