Community Gallery: Cats on Film

They shove things off the edge of our tables, drink water from our mugs (or, at least, mine does), riot at midnight just when sleep would be very much appreciated. And we love them, anyway. There's nothing like a feline's presence to enhance our days.

Today is International Cat Day and so here are some photos of our furry companions from our community members!

With their curious faces and funny antics, it's no wonder cats have family members in many of our homes, taking over couches, beds and kitchen counters, wherever sleep or adventure calls their name. They grace family photos, sometimes held like a baby by dad or mom or one of us kids.

For many of us who grew up with childhood pets, cats have become part of our core memories, and the subjects of our oldest photos on film.

There's the one taken that afternoon goofing around with the siblings, kitty held up with two hands towards the camera. The one taken during a Christmas or a New Year's, everyone (sometimes even the cat) wearing red, or just the lazy Sunday lounging around the house, cat sleeping soundly on someone's lap.

For a lot of us who live alone and work from home, pets such as cats also provide comfort and companionship like none other. Although cats are known for being more aloof and introverted than dogs, even stereotyped as non-caring, often they show their affection in different ways, kneading and purring on our chests, blinking their eyes slowly in appreciation or waiting at the door for us to come home.

There's also the occasional odd gift, like a dead insect to show us that they too consider us their family by providing for us.

They may often be subtle, choosing to come around at their own pace, but the way they love has its own charming appeal. Be it a house cat or a stray cat, interactions with these creatures are always heart-warming, and a reminder to take things a little slower and connect with our soft side.

For film photographers they're also fascinating subjects, although they can be pretty erratic.

The way they contort their bodies while asleep, the way they focus with their big eyes and of course the amount of silly troubles they get themselves into make for fun and interesting photographs.

It's a bit like documenting a baby growing up, with pride over anything they accomplish big or small. Except in the case of cats it's pure admiration for their mischief and the uninhibited way they make sense of and interact with their surroundings.

In the best days they teach us to be more carefree, to relax a little and be playful! What's not to love?

Happy International Cat Day! What's your cat's name? Share it with us below!

written by sylvann on 2023-08-08 #culture #cats #community #cats-on-film