OSAKA — An image exhibit of cats found in Japan throughout the seasons is underway at an outlet store here, and 72-year-old animal professional photographer Mitsuaki Iwago has actually provided the Mainichi Shimbun tips on how to record cats’ cuteness.
Iwago’s “Nihon neko-aruki” (Go with cats in Japan) exhibit at Hankyu Department Store’s Umeda primary store in Osaka’s Kita Ward includes 156 photos from 16 prefectures. They program cats under fall leaves and in between racks at a winter season early morning market, to name a few scenes. The images were taken in different places, consisting of Tsutenkaku Tower and Hozenji temple in Osaka, which Iwago checked out for his NHK BS Premium television program.
Iwago, who has actually photographed wild animals around the globe, consisting of in the Arctic and Africa, has s fondness for felines, stating he has the ability to get closer while speaking with them. When shooting, he constantly speaks to the cats, stating things like, “Good early morning, you’re a good cat,” or “You’re thirsty, aren’t you? Do you desire some water?”
For the picture shoot at Tsutenkaku Tower, Iwago remembered, “I waited patiently up until the cat appeared at dawn.” He included, “I informed the television program staff, ‘simply unwind.’ If we were tense, the cat would notice it.”
Iwago shared a few of his methods for photographing cats. First, when he reaches a place, he watches out over the city from a high viewpoint and areas locations where “individuals move gradually” with couple of crowds around. Female cats raising their young are frequently rather territorial and do stagnate around much, however “if you follow an assertive male cat, you will experience fascinating scenes,” he said.
According to Iwago, the secret to catching the “cuteness” considered the most appealing quality of cats is to “not simply take photos of their faces.” He stressed that cuteness is likewise discovered in their paws, and the method the light strikes the overview of their body to make it look gorgeous. He continued, “Don’t simply take an image of what you believe is charming, however feel the cuteness that the cat itself is releasing.”
The exhibit will run up until Aug. 7. Admission is 800 yen (about $5.70) for grownups and 600 yen (approximately $4.30) for primary through high school trainees. For queries, call the outlet store at 06-6361-1381 (in Japanese).
(Japanese initial by Mayu Maemoto, Osaka Regional News Department)
