Is this a "good" picture?

[Dawna]

Ok I took this pic of my cat and I think it is good. What should I do differently or is this just an ok pick. I really want to know so don't hold back

Camera: Nikon D60
Exposure: 0.005 sec (1/200)
Aperture: f/2.5
Focal Length: 35 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: No Flash

[abchip]

What an adorable cat and she's even posing for you. Th is definitely a keeper. Two things stand out for me. First consider getting rid of the red cast from the table cloth off her fur. Second, since the lower left corner of the photo has nothing to offer I would crop it out.

[Dawna]

Originally Posted by abchip

What an adorable cat and she's even posing for you. Th is definitely a keeper. Two things stand out for me. First consider getting rid of the red cast from the table cloth off her fur. Second, since the lower left corner of the photo has nothing to offer I would crop it out.

Thanks for the info! I just got photo shop and I don't know how to do that ( remove the red cast) The red is my coat and belt. I didn't crop the bottom out because I thought it kinda framed him. Would this not look too tight if I did so? Thanks again.

If you are reading this than why don't you write me a line and tell me what you think. Ok pic., terrible pic, just not into cats something so I can start to get some feedback on my work. I'm new at this and I really would like some feedback

[Jilly]

For me, what's around the cat is too distracting - the floor, the rug, the ribbon, the white behind her/him, the wood wall. It's just too much. I think the ribbon in front of the cat is bothering me too. Someone else might like all of that though. A very sweet kitty though, and will definitely make some fabulous pics very soon!

[k8et]

Cute! I think it's an excellent snapshot/decent photo. I don't find the background distracting, but I do find the bright red/pinkish area (where the sun is hitting it) of the coat in the foreground distracts... it would definitely be possibly to tone down the coat in photoshop but I couldn't say how without just playing around.

I like the red vs the black and white kitty!

[Sterling]

It's a nice enough snapshot. I'm sure it's much more interesting to you as it's your cat. Technically, I think there's too much red on the left and I don't like that the whiskers and paw are cut off on the right.

[abchip]

Originally Posted by Dawna

Thanks for the info! I just got photo shop and I don't know how to do that ( remove the red cast) The red is my coat and belt. I didn't crop the bottom out because I thought it kinda framed him. Would this not look too tight if I did so? Thanks again.

If it was not O.K. to edit your photo let me know and I will remove it.



This is my quick edit for you using Paint Shop Pro Photo X2
1. I drew a selection around the area I wanted to eliminate the red cast (including the one eye) and promoted that to it's own layer.
2. I went to Hue/Saturation/Lightness and desaturated only the red channel.
3. The nose still had some red cast so I drew another selection around just that, and promoted that to it's own layer and used Hue/Saturation/Lightness to desaturate the master/all channels.
4. I thought the one eye was darken then the other so (you guess it) I drew a selection around the eye and promoted that to it's own layer and played with the Saturation of the yellow and greens to boost it up, and then brighten it a bit.
5. I cropped some from the left side so your goes more to the adorable cat!

Once you learn Photoshop more using Masks will make your life sooooo much easier.

I hope this helps!? Let me know if all this dosen't make sense to you.

[tinwhistle]

I can't remember the fellows name, but he was a news photographer WWII. Stunning, gritty, haunting photographs. His credo (I adopted it): If your pictures aren't good enough, your'e not close enough". Thats what I'd do with your kitty; get in close! Chris

[Dawna]

Thanks so much for the revision. Oreo looks much brighter!
"Once you learn Photoshop more using Masks will make your life sooooo much easier.

I hope this helps!? Let me know if all this doesn't make sense to you"
None of it makes sense YET! I haven't really had a chance to play around with it yet. I'm thinking I want to get Scott Kelby's book.

Chris you stated get closer that's easier said than done with Oreo he's a little camera shy :-)
If I get the camera out he usually goes the other way! Now my other kitty doesn't mind at all he likes to pose.