Flash, Click and Speed In Spades. The Photography of Meredith Weiss

If you have ever tried photographing your pet cat you know it takes a flash of luck, an inspired click and a really fast shutter speed. Now imagine if your subject was not just your own friendly feline lounging on your kitchen counter, but colonies of big city feral kitties who have little or no bond with humans. I recently discovered the photography of Meredith Weiss. She’s got flash, click and speed in spades and captures the heart and beauty of the feral cat. I was pleased to meet her briefly during my Trap-Neuter-Return training this summer at the ASPCA of New York City and grateful that she took the time to participate in this 8 question interview for Petpalstv!

1. Did you have pet cats before you became involved with feral cats or vice versa?

MW. My family always had pets, mostly dogs when I was growing up; the cats came later. I do remember one cat my mother fed at the back kitchen door. We named him Iago, from Shakespeare's Othello, though I'm not sure why because I don't recall him being especially mean or villainous! He was a big, beat-up gray tabby (unneutered I'm sure!); perhaps we extrapolated his character from his looks.

2. Were you a photographer before your work with feral cats and what are some of your other subjects?

MW. I've always loved photography. I used to be into macro photography, one of my favorite subjects was insects. I also had stints when I photographed trucks, particularly large ones, hood ornaments, trees standing alone and snowmen (in various stages of melting), but animals were a favorite subject throughout. I tried a little portrait photography (peoples' pets) but prefer more spontaneous images rather than meeting pet owners' expectations. Recently I saw a man place his small dog on one of those coin-operated horses outside a little grocery store. I was stopped at a traffic light in my car, without my camera. That's a photo I would have loved to have taken: the dog looked like he was really enjoying himself, gently rocking back and forth. I wondered if it was a ritual or a first-time experience.

3. Do you prefer digital, film or any specific camera?

MW. When I was young and for many years, I had a Nikormat FT SLR which I adored. Today it's hard not to use a digital camera, especially when it often takes I can't even count how many shots to get a good one. I use a Nikon D70, Canon, PowerShot G9, Sony Cyber-Shot.

4. Have you had any formal training or are you self-taught?

MW. I'm mostly self-taught though I've taken a few classes here and there.

5. Do you have a favorite photographer or style that inspires you?

MW. I don't really have a favorite. Alfred Stieglitz, Rodney Smith, Sandra Russell Clark, Mark J. Thomas, Beverly Pettit, and many others I can't think of right now! Like many people drawn to photography, I love capturing the unexpected moment.

6. I think your photography conveys so much information about the feral cat problem to someone who has no background, information or previous interest. Did you intend to create an avenue to pull in and develop public interest before having to present pamphlets, literature, reports and statistics?

MW. I was fortunate that my first colonies were composed of a pretty good-looking and healthy group of cats (of course healthier after neutering!), with a varying colors and markings. One colony was behind a fenced-in a lot, which could be a hindrance, but another just across the street lived in and around old, abandoned buildings, which made for some interesting photographs. I started out just taking photographs without any intention, but increasingly, as I became more involved with TNR, I realized I wanted people to see that ferals could be healthy and lead a decent life, even in a concrete and brick environment. I purposely did not take shots that made me sad or want to turn away, although some certainly were tinged by sadness. One of my favorite photos is of a cat (Charlie) walking away on an icy sidewalk. Reflections of the ice and the posture of the cat somehow combined to make a very moving image.

Most people who are not directly involved with TNR or feeding feral cats seldom have the opportunity to actually see these cats, and rarely to observe them over months and years. I've found that in many peoples' minds ferals are shrouded in mystery and misperception. One of my colonies near the South Street Seaport in lower Manhattan became relatively used to people walking by, as the Seaport became a tourist attraction. When I was feeding these cats on the weekends it would not be unusual to hear comments from passersby about how beautiful these cats looked. One person even asked me (accusingly) why I was "keeping my cats outside" as if they were my pets!

7. Will we ever see LOL Ferals? (just kidding –well half kidding)

MW. There's an idea! That would take some effort though . . .

8. You have 7 cats. Were any of them ferals? How did your feline family grow and what is the greatest enjoyment it brings?

MW. Actually I now have eight cats -- the 8th came two years ago when I was helping an elderly lady TNR her backyard cats. This particular cat (now named Portia) had a very bad limp; she could put no weight at all on one of her front paws. I asked the lady about it and she told me a neighbor had thrown a rock at her. The cat was never brought to a vet and I offered to do that, but once this skinny tuxedo girl was in my car I knew -- not that I planned it this way -- that I couldn't return her to this lady's backyard, and so she came home with me, FIV+ and, as it turned out, permanently disabled. Portia is probably my most friendly cat.

The other seven (Wendy, Duluth, Tabbio, Topaz, Lymon, Bluebell and Sabine) were the direct result of the TNR I did from 2000 - 2004. Most the them are well-adjusted to apartment life but still retain a lot of feralness. Prior to my involvement with TNR I had three cats: all rescued (two right off the street) but none with a feral bone in his or her body. Living with my present bunch is a very different experience than with the previous three, who were outgoing and social with anyone; the present cats are not.

Wendy and Duluth were my first rescued kittens, and having the three cats I mentioned earlier I had every intention of adopting them out. Although they were only nine weeks when I brought them inside, I didn't follow proper socialization protocol and eventually realized -- as cute as they were -- that they were too fearful of strangers and I wasn't able to find good homes for them. The back stories for the other five are pretty much variations on a similar theme; I believe all these cats are happy but I admit if I'd known then what I know now I might have done things a little differently.

I enjoy watching the relationships between the cats shift -- mostly subtly, occasionally dramatically. Changes in their relationship with me tend be incremental, such as "okay, you can pet me on the head; all right, the back too; oh, what the heck, all over! But don't actually pick me up -- maybe next year!"

Meredith’s photos have been featured in the New York Times, Newsday, Cat Fancy and numerous web destinations. She received a Certificate of Excellence and a Muse Medallion from the Cat Writers Association for her color photography series that appeared in the fall 2003 issue of the ASPCA's Animal Watch. You can view Meredith Weiss’ photography at the following websites and learn more about her extensive work with Trap-Neuter-Return initiatives in New York City as TNR Director for the Mayor's Animal Alliance and Board Member of Neighborhood Cats. Donations are always appreciated.

www.neighborhoodcats.org
www.nycferalcat.org
www.animalalliancenyc.org/nycfci/info-faq.php