Thursday 5 September 2013

Meet the real glamour pusses: Cats given foxy makeovers for playful new calendar

A group of stylish cats have been transformed into glamour pusses for a bold new calendar.
From felines ready for a masquerade ball to furry friends flirting in a bar and strutting down the High Street, computer trickery has made it all possible for the 2014 Glamour Puss calendar.
British publisher Maverick Arts employed photographer Paul Cocken to shoot the cats in a studio, before the wizardry was applied to manipulate their poses.
Glamorous: A moggy pops her hip and poses like a model while wearing fairy wings
Glamorous: A moggy pops her hip and poses like a model while wearing fairy wings
'We have worked together for several years producing images like this for a range of calendars that have featured, dogs, cats, guinea pigs, ferrets and rabbits,' says Paul.
'I'm a huge Gary Larson fan and I love the idea of putting animals in human situations.'
 
'The range of calendars that we have done over the years show the animals off in a humourous way as if to say, "Yeah... There's nothing unusual about this!"
'We photograph the animals in the studio knowing how we need to make them look. I take as many shots as I can until I see the animal's had enough. I have to take around 100 frames making sure I have enough pictures of heads, legs, arms etc from all angles and heights so I can manipulate them afterwards.
Cats are trickiest to snap: They are either complete posers, or not interested at all and won't perform
Cats are trickiest to snap: They are either complete posers, or not interested at all and won't perform
Seductive? Arty the cat appears in the calendar for the month of October in 'Ready for a catnap'
Seductive? Arty the cat appears in the calendar for the month of October in 'Ready for a catnap'
'I light the animals to match the backgrounds so they drop in nicely, then I piece the cat together to make the pose in post production.
'Out of all the animals we have photographed, cats are probably the trickiest. They are either complete posers, or not interested at all and won't perform! Cats seem to have their own agenda and certainly run the show! Dogs are far easier. They'll do anything. A photographer's best friend!'
'The cats have come from various owners, Donna, Anna, and Theresa in the UK and Antonieta from Rio de Janiero, Brazil from when I lived there up until recently.'
Maverick MD Steve Bicknell explains: 'The original studio shoot for Glamour Puss was by Paul, who told me he relies on lots of patience from the cat owners, coupled with gentle encouragement.
Feline: Kashmir the cat appears in November in the scene 'Let's hiss and make up'
Feline: Kashmir the cat appears in November in the scene 'Let's hiss and make up'
Partnership: Paul and Maverick have worked together for several years producing images like this
Partnership: Paul and Maverick have worked together for several years producing images like this
As many shots as possible: Paul photographs until the animal¿s had enough. Perhaps 100 frames
As many shots as possible: Paul photographs until the animal's had enough. Perhaps 100 frames
Cocktail queen: A cat dangles a high heeled shoe off her toe as she raises a glass at a bar
Cocktail queen: A cat dangles a high heeled shoe off her toe as she raises a glass at a bar
'But like most animal models they tend to respond best to food treats. Suffice to say, that is why September model Tinkaboo is pictured licking his lips at the photo session.
Explaining his other cat model choices, Steve says: 'Jess is the cat used on the cover as the 'Aristocat'. We love Jess cat because he has such amazing eyes.
'Boots is a very black cat, and your typical 'bad cat' which was perfect for nice and moody poses used for April , June and August.
'Donna, the owner of the white cat Kashmir, is quite glamourous herself. Her cat is extremely beautiful and I think owner and cat have the same colour eyes. Donna also owns 'Arty' who was our model for January and October.'
Aristocat: Jess is the cat used on the cover, because she has such amazing eyes
Aristocat: Jess is the cat used on the cover, because she has such amazing eyes
Trade tips: Paul relies on lots of patience from the cat owners, coupled with gentle encouragement
Trade tips: Paul relies on lots of patience from the cat owners, coupled with gentle encouragement
Process: Paul shot the cats in a studio, before computer wizardry was applied to manipulate their poses
Process: Paul shot the cats in a studio, before computer wizardry was applied to manipulate their poses
Dainty: Boots the cat features as headline model for the month of April 'Pirou... cat'
Dainty: Boots the cat features as headline model for the month of April as 'Pirou... cat'


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2412291/Meet-real-glamour-pusses-Cats-given-foxy-makeovers-playful-new-calendar.html#ixzz2e2oixnBt
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