Capture, Compose, Plan
Cat and Mouse
The cat and mouse captured my attention and I took a series of pictures of the event.
The first thing to do is capture the image with your camera, mobile phone or tablet. Do not worry about the settings. The best default settings for your camera are auto mode with flash off. If the image is likely to move before you capture it you do not want to be wasting time pressing buttons.
After you have completed this phase you can move to the next stage if the image has not gone. Compose the next image. You might not have filled the frame with the image or checked to see if you are taking it from the best angle. Move around and decide what you want in the background if it adds to the image.
Plan the next image. This is where you can adjust your camera settings and decide if you want to have the flash on. Do you want to leave the image as a colour image or monochrome? Know your camera.
The above image is at the planning stage. I had taken several images before this.
This is the scene which directed me to the cat and mouse.
The crows gathered on the roof top and the lamp post. Capturing the image was the first priority. I was impressed with the reflection of the crow in the van window on the right.
When I looked down this is what I saw.
The mouse made a run for it and the cat followed. Guess what? I followed.
After taking several planned shots the cat turned around and looked at me as if to say go away. I left the cat and mouse. You can write the ending any way you like.
After taking several images capturing, composition and planning will become second nature. Whilst getting ready to take the picture you would have done all three before you have pressed the button. Most pictures are usually captured in one image but you will always take a second picture as a backup. If you are going to take a second picture reverse the sequence: plan, compose and capture the image.
Below are the other pictures that I composed before the cat asked me to leave.
