Why?

[SaraJean]

I found this picture that i took, quite a while ago and posted it on deviant art. It got many views, favs and comments, and i don't know why.It's not a great photo, so i was wondering what you all thought.

The focus is soft, the light sucks as well and the cropping, but what is intriguing about it? Why has it gotten so many favorites on it?

It was show in auto mode i suspect, and can't find any details.

[zachinglis]

Oh, I love this photo. I like the shade of light to dark. I think one of my favourite bits is the paw prints already in the snow. I think you could better it playing with the light tone curve though.

[Sterling]

Very charming shot. I think it's all about those paw prints in the snow. IMO, without them it would just be the technically inferior snapshot you described. As it is, it speaks to the viewer and what it says goes beyond the science of the photo and into the art.

[SaraJean]

Thanks for the replies.
I think you both may be right, i loved the paw prints.

[candleman]

the darkness looks like you're in a cave and the cat is coming to investigate

i agree on the square crop.. its fairly unusual.

i dont like the missing ears tho'

[geekgirl415]

i like the color and unusual perspective- and i'm a sucker for kitties.

[Stryker]

My analysis of why this photo is proving popular:

As people have mentioned, it is the paw prints more than anything else. It is also probably the direction of the paw prints which seem to be pointing away from you. The cat is looking back at you as though saying " There are good times to be had outside. Are you coming or what?" and that is one of the appealing features. The light quality of going from dark to bright diagonally across the frame is also a factor here. I would have preferred the entire body to be in the frame, but it looks good as it is.

Maybe I am reading too much into a simple image, but that is exactly what it says to me.

[daddyoproductions]

The softness makes you feel like you're bundled against the cold...and soft snow is the best snow. Who cares why It's awesome!

p.s. Greetings from southern ontario

[MSidPhoto]

Aww..cute cat....lovely capture but I think that if the cat was a litlle bit more in the frame, it'd look nicer