'Speed Shooting' adoptions in Petsmart with GH2 - pics

[flaxseedoil1000]

We do adoptions in Petsmart every weekend. It's my one chance to get pics of all the new critters as many stay in various foster homes during the week.

I can easily have over 30 new to take, so I have to do it as fast as possible.

Previously it was with an FZ-18, which meant I had to use flash and got my fair share of closed eyes, red eye, bad white balance, etc..

Now it's the GH2. 20mm, no flash, auto wb and mostly wide open at f/1.7.

I have to watch the backgrounds, not allowed to show anything Petsmart related or customers. I burst shoot since the critters heads are moving back and forth, trying to get one facing the right way with the right amount of light in the eyes.

JPEG small to keep the file size down, then a preset in LR3 that does auto wb and tone control and sharpening and nr on import.

I use spot focus and aim for the eyes. Focus speed is fine unless it's really low contrast, like a black cat in a dark crate or a white dog against the white wall.

I have played with various ISO's and settled on 1600 to keep the shutter speed up. Some critters pose great, others won't hold still.

I did try the Oly 45mm but I really have to back up compared to the 20mm and folks end up in the way.

First couple are with the 45mm, the rest with the 20mm:


20120115_162359_54_TLC.jpg by flaxseedoil1000, on Flickr


20120115_163124_76_TLC.jpg by flaxseedoil1000, on Flickr


20120129_160855_176_TLC.jpg by flaxseedoil1000, on Flickr


20120129_160750_160_TLC.jpg by flaxseedoil1000, on Flickr


20120122_164601_75_TLC.jpg by flaxseedoil1000, on Flickr


20120122_163714_24_TLC.jpg by flaxseedoil1000, on Flickr


20110828_142120_939_TLC.jpg by flaxseedoil1000, on Flickr

[Tullio]

Very nice capture. I like their expressions but they all look kinda sad. I hope they get adopted by people who will give them some TLC.

[SIMON40]

Is it just me or does the grey cat (pic 4) look like he's thinking "any closer buster,and I'll have you...."
Nice shots all round though- and the GH2 doing a fine job at elevated iso's...

[saly]

Beautiful images. So precious and heartbreaking, I hope they all find (good) homes...

[boBBrennan]

....beautiful images of beautiful animals. It is easy to see the younger ones are anxious while the older are aware that there was/is something better; their eyes tell much. You've done well with these camera/lens results.

Hoping they are adopted into loving homes and the friendship they deserve.
______________________

This photo is of 'Autumn', our 3-yr feral we took in when she left the front yard litter across the street. She was about 3-mos and it was the 1st day of autumn, so the name. Autumn is to the vet every 6-mos with monthly med maintenance.

She is a lucky cat; Bonnie & I are fortunate for such a friend. Her eyes too tell a story of contentment