Just a cat

[OBie]

*stomach churns as she steps gingerly into the critique room, clutching a snapshot of 'just a cat'*

OK, I know this is just a cat photo - but I've been playing with my new camera and this is the first image that (IMHO) has good DOF and pretty good exposure. I was very excited to finally see details! Mind you, I've had to relearn all about f-stop/shutter speed combos to get what you want, etc. And this white balance stuff - never heard of it before this camera.

So - other than the ears are cut off (isn't it OK sometimes to have a tight shot with some parts edited?) - how is it?

Details:
Nikon D50
Nikon 18-55 @ 42mm
f5.6
1/100
ISO lost in the deleted files

(Did I do all of that right?)

*the butterflies return as she clicks 'submit new thread'*

[mpreslar]

But a pretty cat! The composition and DOF are nice, but I'd suggest cropping it even closer and getting right down to the face. I don't have a problem with cutting off body parts if it improves the image!

[OBie]

Thanks Marty. I hadn't considered that.

[sweetdeal22]

hehe, your cat looks like mine

awesome controlled DoF

great detail and texture

nice lighting

hair in the background kinda distracts

but overall, great compostion! good shot, have you tried any tighter crops?

[Alison]

Just a cat photo?! It's beautiful! Your clarity is fantastic as is your dof. I fear that if you crop it you will lose alot of your dof. Try the crop anyway but, I love it as it is.

[OBie]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I tried a recrop and played with the color/contrast a bit. I think I like it better.

Eh - on second thought, I think I went a bit overboard on the color. Oh well. Live and learn. I do like the crop.

[dbutler]

I like both! I think the second is nice and colorful and the first is nice and a bit less colorful. But still nice! I think what Marty meant about cropping was to get it so that you got the eyes, nose, mouth to really focus on his face.

[OBie]

Oohh - I tried that d, and I like it! So here's the last of him, I promise!

[mpreslar]

That's the ticket! Really all three crops look good, but there's something about that close up shot of a cat or dog with the reflections in the eyes that is really great! Good shot!

[brookied]

Hi
The 3rd picture is the best, great crop nice and tight to the face. I find there is something behind the eys,what is he thinking?

Also looks like my cat.

Nice shot

[OBie]

Thanks Marty & brookied. He was being held by my daughter (his favorite person) so there's no telling what he was thinking other than, "Take me inside and feed me!"

You can also see me reflected in his eyes, lol.

[Alison]

I love the third image! Beautiful colours and clarity. Wonderful composition on the crop. Superb! Wish it was my work!

[sweetdeal22]

oooh now that looks nice!

good job!

[Sebastian]

The first version rocks. I was very pleasantly surprised after reading your description. That either means that your image is decent, or that you set the bar so low in your introduction that it made it look decent.

I think it's the former.

In all seriousness, I like the feeling of the frame, how the cat seems to be unaware of the viewer and just walking out to do whatever it is cats do. The glance the the right makes you wonder what got its attention, and the reflection in the eyes gives it life. Composition is pretty good, too.

[gahspidy]

OBie, i must say that I did not like the original image very much. Yes, it's a pretty cat and the clarity of the face is strong, but as far as a photograph I felt the bg was not adding anything to the image and especially the hair in the bg on the left was distracting.Too much body out of focus filling the frame and overall composition just did not feel strong.
The strength of the picture was the beautiful subject and the sharpness and clarity of the face and eyes which you captured. That last tight crop is very much the way to go with this image, for me. All that was strong in the original is now brought forward full force and all the extraneous elements cut away. The cats beauty and the details that are there for us to admire make that last crop a very strong image.

[SmartWombat]

I've found with my cat portraits that close crop gives by far the most impact.
Particularly if they yawn or have any expression other than boredom or sleep

[OBie]

Thank you everyone for such great and helpful feedback. I've learned sooo much from one photo of 'just a cat'.

Every comment was very informative and helpful. And it is a pretty cool picture since he isn't looking directly at the camera.

Thanks all!!