Cat Cam: The World of Cooper the Photographer Cat

Let me just get this out of the way up front; I've been a Cooper fan since I first was exposed to his work in a small art gallery down in Seattle's artsy Phiney/Greenwood borough on the north west side of Aurora. An area known as much for it's quite cafe's and antique stores as it's always "up and coming" status that never really lifts off to achieve an "arrived" title. Suffice it to say that Greenwood Ave, while a great place for a cup of coffee is not a place that one expects to find something truly unique and rare.It's hard to put Cooper's work in a simple category. Is it art? Or is it simply a technological trick that has been exploited here to great effect? I'd argue that it's the former but he has his detractors. In all fairness most of them are crazy and their opinions should be discounted out of hand.This book written in collaboration with his longtime companions Deirdre and Michael Cross and is a great way to experience both his work and his more personal, less public side.We get to see him as a begs for food at his day job, (cat), and then goes and enjoys private time in the yard or in the neighbors yard. In one memorable image we get a glimpse of yearning from a local dog. Their relationship clearly one of stalemate as the dog is locked inside and can only stare through a window with a slightly deranged longing at Cooper. The imagination wonders what are they thinking?I can't recommend "Cooper: Photographer Cat" strongly enough. If you love cats or you just love celebrity you get to see him in both roles. As an artist burdened with keeping up appearances and as the cat that he is, a little aloof but always up for an adventure.Buy this book!

Clearly building on the early experimental work of such greats as Ibn al-Haythan and Anthemius of Tralles, Cooper takes to the field with his astounding contraption snugly fitted to his collar. His work is a sublime fusion of the work of Martin Parr and Henri Cartier-Bresson, to which he adds his own surreal viewpoint to provide a taste of his vision. Some of the images appear mundane at first glance, but when viewed over a longer time period one cannot but be astounded by the depth of perception Cooper brings to his compositions. Other images, are plainly abstractions of the world he sees, perhaps extrapolations of his feline visual cortex, the complexities of which we mere humans can only wonder.Truly this is a work of genius that should be kept as a well thumbed reference book in every street photog's bag.

I was excited to receive this book once I submitted my order as I thought the idea of publishing photos taken by a cat was quite creative and the Cooper pictures I had seen (via a TV program) looked like they would be quite a treat. I have to agree with the reviewer who expressed their disappointment about the book though; the paper is chintzy and cheap and the pictures scream for a full-size format, not the half-sheet size they're currently printed on. Also, the captions in the book are written from the cat's point of view and are very cloying and annoying. Great idea, and not a total waste of money, but this could use some work on the execution.

Every cat lover needs to buy this book for themselves and extras as gifts for friends! Michael and Deirdre Cross came up with such a clever idea to put a camera on the cat, Cooper, to see what he is up to during the day. Not only is Cooper a great photographer, but HE looks great on camera--a very handsome, personable kitty who was born to be a star. I own two of his actual photographs that are shown in the book and the quality of the book is fantastic. Super cute, fun book that is a must buy!

The photos are of varying quality, but the fact that they exist at all is a miracle of team work! The topics and viewpoint are a fascinating documentary of pet life... I hope to see more "sociological " studies of cats in groups, which will enlighten us even more regarding animal psychology. A wonderful addition to any pet lover's collection!

In a word - awesome!While I've always believed that cats do better indoors, for their health and well-being - some neighborhood exploration looks good on this cat.Cooper takes us on a photographic tour of his world, and people, through the seasons. His pictures are whimsical, delightfully candid, and give us an extraordinary perspective of the ordinary.Oh, yes, there are a couple of cat lovers I know who can look forward to this as a gift in the future!(And, darn. Why didn't I think of this concept first??!?)

I was impressed with the quality of this book. It had great photos, which I knew it would because I've seen Cooper's website.But I was surprised that it would hold my attention for more than just a flip-through. The way it was put together tells a story in a way, and every picture says a lot about more than just a novelty way to take pictures.Everytime someone picks it up, I get to tell the story about Cooper the cat. It's fun!

My name's Joe, and I live next door to Cooper. I glanced through his book over the shoulder of one of my people, and have to say he does a good job of capturing our world. (And I think that might me on the `Ninja" page.)Coop has added excitement to the `hood, and although we've had to protect turf a few times, we've also shared a few quiet moments on each other's decks. He hasn't let fame go to his head. He's a cool cat!

Not very many pictures in this very small booklet and except for the professional pictures by the photographer, the ones from the cat cam are poor quality.

A beautiful insight into daily life of a pet cat, the photography taken are brilliant quality and as an aspiring illustrator, i find them very inspiring. Defiantly a must own, will be visited often.