Reviews from

Do what?

Alley cat

49 total reviews 
Comment from jhillman


This is an interesting pet photograph with good detail. Colour is excellent. Focus is perhaps a little too soft in the background. You have captured every important element and the composition is very good indeed. I especially like the natural feel here

 Comment Written 14-Jan-2009


reply by the author on 14-Jan-2009
    Thank you so much for your kind and generous review.
    I have to admit that a bow the background to its softness. I know it isn't ideal but, as I wrote in my comments, the original background was really bad and much more distracting as this softy.
Comment from ZenTrip


Ha! Blowing the background out works, cleo.

Gives him center stage and the spotlight.

Love those eyes and the facial expression that told you he'd send an email to get back with you.

Think I'd have blown him out for that response. lol. But your patience paid off.

Beautiful shot with that white nose and the whiskers.

Animal emotion at it's peak moment!

 Comment Written 14-Jan-2009


reply by the author on 14-Jan-2009
    Thank you.
    I really liked that guy. A personality all of its own. He dos have beautiful eyes. I would have take him. One more to or zoo. I think with the possibility os a few days and some cat food I could come close to him. It wouldn't be the first. But what do you do more than 4000 miles away from home, a husband in the hospital and living in a "No Pets!' environment? Couldn't even go back to the place I met him.

    Did you see the flaw on this photo? Look closely. I didn't realised it first myself but there is some. Do you find it?
reply by ZenTrip on 14-Jan-2009
    No - don't see anything I would call a flaw. Teach me. What are you seeing?
reply by the author on 15-Jan-2009
    I blow accidentally his whiskers on the left side.
    I just didn't realised it until somebody pointed it out. I'm working on it but it isn't easy and very time consuming. I have to paint the whiskers in or clone them to the same size on the right.
reply by ZenTrip on 15-Jan-2009
    I don't consider that a flaw. Difference of opinions I suppose. I noticed that but it is only natural with having to blow out the area. The whiskers aren't that important to me to spend that much time on. The important thing is the expression on the face.
reply by the author on 16-Jan-2009
    Thanks.
    You lift my spirit as always. Yes the impression, That is for what I made the picture. But a lot people note these missing whiskers. In this case these whiskers win on importance since it seams to draw the attention of people away from the face. Interesting that it doesn't bother you.
    I just wished the shot wold be close up and good enough to cropp down to the face. But the focus is to weak for this.
    May I just should have left the background alone.
reply by ZenTrip on 16-Jan-2009
    I don't know what the background looked like. But if you felt it to be intrusive then I can accept that. But . . . cover up those whiskers and look at the face and the eyes. There is the character. There is the picture. What if this cat had been in a fight and the rat that got away had a chance to bite part of the whiskers off. Would it be any less an interesting face. Would the cat have any less character. Would not the same gleam and look be there in the eyes. I think we live in an imperfect and not always sunrise/sunset perfect world. Who cares about a few cat whiskers and imperfection of not a completely balanced view of the face. If you had left the background in and the whiskers hadn't been affected - would the criticism have been - "I think you should have blurred out that distracting background." Or - "The fur around the cat's head isn't the same length between the ears." It's all a value judgement. Your self-critic probably doesn't like the fact that you didn't take lots more time and work around the whiskers or just hadn't bothered with the blurr to begin with and let the picture stand as is. Another critic and another critic and another critic will all have different responses - or they all may see the shorter whiskers on the left side. Does it really matter. Does it improve the picture if all the whiskers look the same. To me it doesn't. But then my values and critical assessment go a little deeper than short cat whiskers. Maybe for a competition it does matter. I dunno. I still like your cat. Just wish you had stuck him inside your camera bag and taken him home with you.
reply by the author on 17-Jan-2009
    O how I wished I could have take that cat home. I would if I meet him here with time to win his trust and a home to provide.
    You are right. It doesn't matter for the character of the cat or the meaning and story of the picture has for us. It isn't a big issue. That isn't what I mean.
    You know I don't give much about rules and if something looks good or beautiful or were I end up in a contest. It's the people I care and if I reach them with the message in a picture. It seams wit the cat here, I didn't got my message out in the most cases.
    The other thing is that I simply didn't see it. That is what scares me. It is the second time that this is happen. That I didn't see things in my own pictures others realise easily. In Jim's portrait I was thinking the left side of the sun glasses ware black. Even when some people said they did see me in the picture I was thinking they are mistaken until somebody pointed to the left side. It's there but I had to magnify the left glass over the whole screen to find it. That is what makes me uneasy. How can I give a message with a picture when I don't realise what is in a picture myself. That is were I have to work on. It seams as if I'm not paying enough attention to what I'm doing but to much attention to how look the picture in my mine up to the point were arrogance takes over and I believe I have archived what is in my mine. In the case of the cat it would have been easy to enlarge the picture to a bigger size to work on but in my arrogance I didn't. Knowing about my shortcomings but ignoring it for the prise of not reaching most of my audience that is the error. We are here to learn not to forget what we know.
reply by ZenTrip on 17-Jan-2009
    You said it all with that last comment - we are here to learn and not to forget what we know. I'm a bit bothered that this has happened twice now - and that you're suddenly aware of it. Something isn't working as it should.

    This in particular hasn't happened to me - but several things that can be construed in much the same manner of some oversight or something taking place (such as what you've mentioned) that I wasn't totally aware of at the time or not seeing as I should have - has also bothered me. I don't know whether I'm losing some degree of objectivity, not seeing something that should be obvious, too concerned about something else for my attention to wander where perhaps it should - or if I'm just getting careless.

    It can be disconcerting - like entering a photo in the wrong competition or forgetting to check a particular box when making the entry. That is just oversight and sometimes trying to work too fast and not being careful. But the type of thing perhaps you and I are talking about is a bit different.

    It's something to think about and perphaps we can better put our finger on it as we continue to work and observe what we are doing. Whatever - I find it interesting.

    But to more happier thoughts - I love your cat. I would love him even with out whiskers - even a patch over one eye or missing a chunk of ear would make him more intriguing.
reply by the author on 17-Jan-2009
    Maybe everything still is working right but we are getting more self critical.
    We may are more aware of ourselves and realising mistakes differently.
    What would we have done and said in the past if we forget a to put a mark were its belongs or even a whole contest. "I feel somehow stupid, should have payed more attention" -but it's happen OK, won't happen again. A than we forget about it - and do it again.
    Now we ask, how could I? What is wrong with me? Something isn't working right? Why?
    Even more so with little mistakes in our pictures. Did we really were thinking the same way a year ago? in a 50-50 count on positive and negative reviews we may would have said: Not to bad, 50% understand what was my intention. Now we go and ask what is wrong 50% didn't understand my intention. I should have seen it! I should have known it would happen! -Would we have said so?
    I don't know if we getting careless or more self critical. We should watch ourself and observe that. Right!
    Happier thoughts: You just gave me a Mixed Media -a eye patch: what a taught. What do you think of him as a pirate of the Caribbean? The picture flashed in my imagination by reading eye patch.
reply by ZenTrip on 17-Jan-2009
    Wow - cleosocrates. You blow me away. I dunno any of the answers to your puzzles. But probably a no in most cases. I just know it happens. Maybe that is an empowering awareness and enough in itself. The 'why' I've yet to figure out. Maybe that's the next step.

    But what an imaginative thought. Can't you hear the glowing reviews - the pirate cat with an eyepatch - and that beautiful set of remaining whiskers on the left side of his face that must have been sword-swiped off as he fought his way back off the gangplank and down the galley and into the alley to make his getaway. Just need the pirate sign behind him. If only we could see his left leg with a wooden peg. So nice to know great minds run together!
reply by the author on 18-Jan-2009
    Hi Zenorates enough for now of the philosophical chat before we blow or minds away, Just let watch ourselves for a wile.
    And let write the story of "Captain Cat Shortbeart the King of the Caribbean"
    May I use your great story if I have the picture?
    Cleocratres
    P. S. I think my half full glass just got filled a little more. What about yours Photographer of the month? Congratulations to your new title.
reply by ZenTrip on 18-Jan-2009
    Sure you can use the story - it's yours not mine. Your story just fueled my imagination. Just find a way to show that wonderful cat soul. He was there for you for a purpose. And yes . . . the glass appears to be a bit more half'full. And I'm so glad your is too. We'll try to keep them that way for a bit longer. Thanks for the smiles.
reply by the author on 18-Jan-2009
    Your welcome.
Comment from Paulisa


Now, if looks could kill! What a catch. Beautiful focus, clarity, imagery, details,lighting and l like the way you blew the background out. Good job!

Thanks for sharing

Paulisa

 Comment Written 13-Jan-2009


reply by the author on 14-Jan-2009
    Thank you Paulisa, I appreciate your friendly and generous review.
Comment from grassroots08


This is my territory, and I am decended from the great Kubla-Cat. Don't mess with me. This is a great pic. No one dares to get her fur up. Cheers, Don (grassroots08)

 Comment Written 13-Jan-2009


reply by the author on 14-Jan-2009
    Thank you so much Don, I appreciate your friendly and humorous review.
Comment from A-one


Impact 5
Creativity 5
Color 5
Content 5
Technique 5
Composition 5
Additional Comments:Great nature shot and entry for the contest. He does have a definate emotion on his face! good handeling of background "distraction" and focus on the face (missing /shortened whiskers). Good overall shot.
Suggestions:

 Comment Written 13-Jan-2009


reply by the author on 14-Jan-2009
    Thank you so much for your throuought review.
    Yes I know the whiskers! I literally overlooked them. [Sometimes the eyes just give up and won't see the detail]I blow them accidentally of. I need to paint him new whiskers or shorten the right site. Both not easy but possible. I'm working on it but I'm afraid I haven't enough time left to post it for the contest.
Comment from lorac1


What a striking, excellent expression you captured on the face of this cat. You have great detail in the fur, showing that the alley cat has omitted his daily grooming. I admire your apparent ability to communicate with animals! The lighting is good, and there is great story telling ability.

 Comment Written 13-Jan-2009


reply by the author on 14-Jan-2009
    Thank you so much for your great review.
Comment from debi-d


Great expression. Cats certainly have an attitude dont they. But at least you dont have to get a model release :).
I like your compostion but find it a bit soft. Did you resharpen after you touched out the background?
thanks for sharing

 Comment Written 13-Jan-2009


reply by the author on 14-Jan-2009
    Thank you so much.
    Resharpen doesn't help much. Thew focus is soft. I was a little to fahr away and the timing was bad but I wanted that look so I shoot without resetting the camera.
Comment from nanspix


You can tell he was not about to allow you one step closer. I actually think the the softness of the background accents the intensity of his eyes. He may be a domestic but this shot proves he's only one step away from his wild cousins. Thank you for sharing~nan

 Comment Written 13-Jan-2009


reply by the author on 14-Jan-2009
    Thank you so much for your generous review.
Comment from ALPwildlifephoto26


I love this cat..He looks big. I love the stare he is giving straight into the camera..thats great. And I love the eyes which are big and nice. The colors on the cat are beautiful. Thanks for sharing this photo...very nicely shot.

Angie :)

 Comment Written 13-Jan-2009


reply by the author on 13-Jan-2009
    Thanks a lot for your generous review.
    He wasn't big. Toll for a cat, about 10" with long legs but very thin. I would have take him home if I had a chance.
Comment from T.S.N. Geodragon_07


lovly face. im stil trying to get my furbal to pose.
those eyes are a nice combination, with the green green eyes tinted with brown.
( i found out that my cat likes the color green) lov his fur!

 Comment Written 13-Jan-2009


reply by the author on 13-Jan-2009
    Thank you so much for your generous review.
    Forget it. Most cats don't pose in my experience. I just take opportunities.
    Cats very seldom, do as we want but some taking bribes as cat treads.
reply by T.S.N. Geodragon_07 on 13-Jan-2009
    hmm....he does look like a fine feline. love the eyes
reply by the author on 13-Jan-2009
    He is probably a very fine feline. I would take him home if I had have a chance.
    Thanks again
    Cleo
reply by T.S.N. Geodragon_07 on 13-Jan-2009
    welcome. great shots
reply by the author on 14-Jan-2009
    :)