Help with cropping and post processing

[monkeygirl123]

Hi guys....this is my first post here. It was taken this morning and is straight out of camera. First of all, I realise I could have framed this a lot better, but working with what I have, would you crop it to try and work in the rule of thirds or leave it as it is?

Secondly, I always struggle with using photoshop - not knowing how far to go/when to stop. I did play around with selective colour (increasing the blacks) and I also sharpened the image, but then I couldn't decide if it actually made it better or worse, so I left it as it was. Any help/advice would be much appreciated.

(Taken with a Canon EOS 350D f/4.5 1/125 sec ISO 400 90mm No flash)

[carlyfan]

I think this is a really cute photo. I love the way the light hits the subject. I think I would try a vertical crop and eliminate much of the dead space on the left of the photo. Then you could probably get the eyes somewhere around the third lines, and the cat would be looking into the frame as well. Could we see your processed one so we can compare them? It looks pretty good as it is, but it could probably be improved, like most images. Nice job!
Welcome to DPS!

Lisa

[edbayani]

looks good on my monitor, color, exposure and contrast and even the histogram looks alright.
maybe crop most of the dead space on the left and bottom. if you have the patience try cleaning up the portion immediately after the cat's nose. remove the stray grass

[monkeygirl123]

Thanks so much for your comments. This is a cropped version to get kitty in the left third. I wish I had the skills to get rid of the stray grass...I'm still learning! But I know what you mean...it is distracting.

(Why is all this underlined as a link? I have no idea what I did wrong.)
EDIT - sorted! Thanks Milla.

[CelticOrigins]

This is a really nice photo, don't worry about your Photoshop skills they come the more you use it, just have fun taking your photos that's the main thing.

[tingeliM]

Originally Posted by monkeygirl123

(Why is all this underlined as a link? I have no idea what I did wrong.)

You didn't close the html-code before writing the text (you probably didn't copy the complete code).
Add ><*/a> (minus the star) in the end of the code. =)

[carlyfan]

Nice crop! Much improved. I love the bokeh!

Lisa

[Eileen D]

Much more impact in your second version! The kitten becomes the full focus in that beautiful light.

[davidsaffir]

actually, I like both images. In the larger image, your use of "negative" space is actually a good balance for the kitten and the flowers and grass. I also appreciate the face that you chose an angle that backlights your subject, yet there is enough reflected light to fill in the cat's face. Very well done - give yourself some credit!!

I also like the closer crop - some would say "fill the frame with your subject". The grass doesn't bother me a bit - I think it's part of the story-telling you've accomplished. She's immersed in her world, after all.

Keep it up, this image is great!

David Saffir
GuruShots Photo Critique

[monkeygirl123]

Originally Posted by mike e

This is a really nice photo, don't worry about your Photoshop skills they come the more you use it, just have fun taking your photos that's the main thing.

Thanks! It is a bit sad that I actually spend more time on photoshop than with my camera these days