Golden Rule Loc: Washington State

I would like to take a shot of my cat looking at herself in the mirror. How would I go about setting up a light(s)? I have two monolights and a flash and two softbox lights if that helps with equipment. Thanks for any suggestions.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

First you have to get the cat to cooperate. Once you have done that (It will take time, trust me) you will be too exasperated to care if you have not already thrown out the cat, its litter and all hope for a better life.

Golden Rule Loc: Washington State

My cat is very cooperative but I'm just asking about light setup.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

I would use ambient light - our cats and other animals do not like "flash".

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

I've alerted Ed Shapiro to your topic. He does commercial photography (and cats ).
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/user-profile?usernum=54470

Can't wait to see the result!

Golden Rule Loc: Washington State

My cat does studio shots all the time with multiple lights so she is accustomed to the flash. I wanted to try and black out everything else but the cat looking at herself in the mirror. The darkening of the surrounding room may need to be done in post processing.

Golden Rule Loc: Washington State

Thank you, Linda. I will look forward to his guidance. This is a new technique to me and I have no clue how some of those beautiful shots are made.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

I am not Ed. But I had some thoughts on this.

You seem to know what you want that is the beginning, so now it is time to try some things. The thing you don’t want is the reflection of the flash in the mirror. Can you set the lights behind the mirror and bounce off the ceiling and floor. That might work. Certainly some experimentation is in order. Set something similar in color and size as the cat in front of the mirror and shoot some frames and dial in the lighting. Then you can try with the real kitty. I look forward to seeing the result.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Quick and easy mirror shot- works 100% of the time- unless the cat won't cooperate!

Now you know why I took up photograhy- I can't draw- however, please see the attached diagram for an aerial view of the setup.

So...

The concept of a mirror shot including the subject AND the mirror image is to place the camera and the light source at an oblique angle to the mirror so the light source, the camera and the photographer don't appear in the mirror.

Place the cat* as close to the mirror as possible. Place the light as shown in the diagram so that some of the light strikes the subject and some of the light strikes the mirror image and the mirror frame. Focus on the subject- not the mirror image. Provide enough light or ISO speed to enable an aperture of about f/11 or f/16- you will need some depth of field. Flash will usually not startle a cat and will not harm him or her and will freeze any motion.

For the attached test shot, I wanted to enlist the services of our cat but HIS HIGHNESS was not in the mood and decided to remain on his favourite perch behind the curtains, thus the wire cat!

I once had a parakeet that reacted favourably to his mirror image and did all kinds of antics. Our cat just gives himself a dirty look and walks away!

*Good luck!

Golden Rule Loc: Washington State

Thanks JD. Will set up lights and start moving them around. Your right about no reflection of light in the mirror. That was my dilemma when I tried it this afternoon. Using a flash turned sideways and up still gave me a bit of bright light on one side of the mirror and that is not very appealing.

Golden Rule Loc: Washington State

Ed, the diagram did not show up in your reply. Could you try that diagram again. I sure would appreciate it.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Ed’s wire cat example shows the idea.

The diagram was just above the cat (and one dog) collage.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Great explanation and example (the wire cat). And after I stared at the diagram a while I got it ! :)

badapple Loc: Twin Lake, Michigan

Sir, enjoyed your explanation. Well done. Thought the large picture was my "Lester" 🙀.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

If you can't see the flash in the mirror, your golden. The nice thing with digital is that you can play with the set up and see the result right away. Watch your focus to make sure both cat's eyes are in focus.