This is a photo by the famous Helmi Flick of a beautiful Savannah cat. I don’t know from Helmi’s description on her photo gallery what generation from the wild this cat is. Looking at her (I think she is female), I lean towards writing that she is a high filial, say F1 – F4, something like that. This is because of her size and stature. There is no scaling but I do know the size of the table on which she is sitting (and behaving herself nicely). I am sure that this is a very large domestic cat.
Another give away for me that she is a high filial Savannah cat is her coat. It is like a serval’s coat: well defined, dark inky spots on a straw colored base. The long elegant limbs are also reminiscent of the serval which has the longest limbs to body ratio of all the world’s cats.
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I’d be glaring into the camera and strobes, too, if I was that cat.
Our Shrimpster will love him/her. Shrimpster misses Michael, my Spotted-bellied Sphinx-positioned (when witing for me to pounce!) He’s quicker than me, and I’m pretty agile myself! I miss Michael so, so much. Shrimpie misses both Michael, and Luna(feisty small tuxedo kitten-less than a yr old when she got hit by some redneck, after the move from 3455 Orchard St). grrrr!
“kit” translates, as well you know, to: Kitten! prrrrr…mrowr? Someday! -Cat
It looks like an ultra-suede type fabric, which is polyester. Doesn’t snag, like real suede. Just wears from holes, if the cats even extend their claws, which I’m fairly certain they must at some point. Who places them on the -you’ve witnessed this–are they teased up their of their own volition?
It is like suede. She keeps a large range of colours. The background color is important. Ken puts the cat on the table. The cats claws don’t normally cause a problem.
And once again, you are going to tell me that this is b/c those champions are used to being in the limelight, so they don’t feel a need? BEAUTIFUL… love it. (Someday, my Savannah kit will be waiting for me…) 🙂
Michael, reply when you can, I understand. What kind of fabric are they using that doesn’t snag from kitty claws?
Okay, I finished scrolling through the link–had no idea she was hand-holding, my bad. This must be so enjoyable as a profession, even though it is intense, and has its moments. I’m simply amazed.
You have to hand hold for flexibility. The cat will move across the platform fast and with flash there is no problem with camera shake.
Or is she waving a teaserwand while she stands behind the camera’s tripod, with a sync cord in her hand? wow. I’m flummoxed. This must be quite the Art, hmm? 🙂
So, Ken is to the left of Helmi’s camera, and he basically gets the cat into that pose, then quickly darts to the front, behind Helmi?
Ken places the cat on the platform and sometimes the breeder is there to help. Ken also stands near Helmi with the cat tease to get the cat to look at the camera. That is what you see in the pictures.
Sorry, forgot to mention, it’s obvious that she is side-lighted, with a softer lumen’ from the front. –do I need to put on my reading glasses? 😉
Just wondering, Michael, how do you think Helmi Flick, maybe her husband? got such an exquisite shot of this Savannah? How did they do it? Could you ask her for me? It is amazing, that countenance, that poised, elegant stature. She sits so poised, so attentive, even though she must surely not want to be sitting still for a photo shoot? I wonder if they use ‘Feliway,’ a product that I spray into the air and into the cat carrier before taking mine to the vet. ?
Does she sell prints? (I want to purchase one!)
Hi Caroline. I know exactly how the Flicks get their photos because I have been with them on many occasions when they are photographing. They don’t use Feliway. First the cats are generally pretty well behaved probably due to their show cat background and being used to different places and people etc. Second Ken wrangles the cats with a range of cat teases and sounds. This gets their attention. Third it happens fast using strobe lights. The pose you see might last for several seconds. Some moments are fleeting but frozen by the flash. It is about capturing the moment as usual. In short it is about wrangling and getting the photo quickly. I have a page or two on this:
http://cat-chitchat.pictures-of-cats.org/2008/11/cat-photography-with-ken-and-helmi.html
Thank you. But still wondering -in my vast realm of stupidity- are her pupils retouched then? I don’t see the shape of an umbrella or two, nor a shape resembling a panel… what do they use? It’s simply amazes me. Helmi and Ken Flick are *wow!* the best I’ve ever seen in their field!
Helmi does retouch sometimes. You have too but the photo editing is normally limited. Sometimes she knits several images together to make one and you can’t see the join.
The ultimate of having a miniature “BIG CAT” at home. Beautiful photo which describes the entire physiology of this Savannah cat breed.
That is one huge beastie. Wow, she is beautiful. I love her regal countenance. I love her coat as well. A very beautiful example of a SavannahI .
Marc, I am a subscriber. Each time a new article is posted I receive an email. It is a very convenient way to keep up with PoC. I highly recommend it.
Thanks Michael (I love the warning on the photo!)
I thought you’d like the warning 😉 It shows my frustration and I am trying something different to see if it works. Too many people steal stuff on the internet. As for this cat: wow. I agree she is glorious. Not for me living in a flat in London, though. I would find looking after her terrifying 😎
Would you truly, Michael? (sorry, I need something positive right now) 🙁
I would find it a worry looking after a cat like this in a flat in London. I don’t think it is suitable and if she got out and ran then what. Just would not work as far as I am concerned.
Well then, I believe that we should all work very hard to support you in your endeavours to adopt a Savannah, an F2. You need an acreage, a long retractable strong leash, and a cottage, bungalow. You certainly deserve to adopt and care for a Savannah, Michael. I think that if we all put our skills together as one, we can do this for you. Because, where would we be without your website? 🙂
Ruth, do you think that if we All put our resources together, that we could do this for our fine-feathered Freund? Friend? Doesn’t he deserve it, in a perfect world? Let us, as friends, give him everything that we can…
A beautiful cat, but then I think all cats are beautiful whether pedigree or moggie.
Yes, all are the same in PoC cat world. It is a communist cat state but a perfect one 😉
Wow – beautiful cat. I never noticed the length of the arms – the ratio. It’s impressive. So is the coat. Big ears too. What a great shot and he/she looking right at the camera.
(Michael what is the subscribe button for – to what does it subscribe you – the page comments?)
The subscription button in the right hand column is for updates for new posts (articles). People get updates on follow-up comments automatically provided they don’t uncheck the box just below the comments.
Yes, this is a neat cat. They do look different to the average domestic cat. The should as they have serval in them.