"'AT THE CROSS' where I first saw the light".
by PTLParsons

Comment by bigkace:
This photograph should be titled "Contrived." From the bad wainscoting to the horrible wallpaper border, this whole picture is awful from the word Go. I can't believe somebody piled up rocks in the corner of their house to photograph this. I'm surprised his trailer didn't start to list.

Did the black and white effect add to the drama any?

ps: Thank you for removing the color

Please give me my Toy Cat
by PTLParsons

Comment by Gordon:
Becky, It is good to see you entering more pictures. A few comments: The colour palette of this is quite muted - all creamy browns and tans, which means the background elements are a bit jarring. The light is good and even, so no harsh shadows and your subjects are interesting and interracting - certainly above the average single pet that looks like they want to escape.

I do think though that (instead of suggesting cropping out the background) that this could be better simply by getting closer in. very roughly only 1/3rd of this picture is the subject that I think you wanted to show - the cat and dog playing with each other. a lower angle/ closer camera position would have dealt with the disturbing background and removed some of the less interesting foreground. It gives it a sense of the place, but closer would have really pushed the focus onto your pets.

These kind of pictures also can be enhanced a lot by getting down there with them more - you might feel silly on the floor but your pictures could make you a lot happier.
This is sort of what I mean - though I would suggest doing the cropping with your feeet and camera position, rather than editing:



Message edited by author 2003-02-10 12:01:49.

Please give me my Toy Cat
by PTLParsons

Comment by PTLParsons:
I thank each one of you for your comments. I knew you would beat me up about the background before I submitted it. I liked it and submitted anyway. I hoped for some comments that would help me with areas that weren't so obvious. Hind site is 20/20. I tried Gallatin's suggestion and it was much better. Thanks Gallatin for a really helpful comment.

For an action shot you can't always choose where it takes place. The way I look at it, if you want the scene you have to put up with the scenery sometimes. For my own personal use I spot edit the background and all the mess out and have a very cute photo.

Thanks again for those who took the time to comment. With this many low votes I expected, and hoped for, at least four pages of comments.

Please give me my Toy Cat
by PTLParsons

Comment by Gallatin:
These are beautiful animals, sure wish you could have cropped out the background more, cropping up to the dog's paw and up to the cat's back would help, the way they are looking at each other is so cute. Wonderful candid animal shot.

Please give me my Toy Cat
by PTLParsons

Comment by Crafty Sue:
very good

Please give me my Toy Cat
by PTLParsons

Comment by LindaLee:
Lighting isn't too bad, but I would have liked to see the shot zoomed right in on the two of them, cutting out all of the very distracting background.

Please give me my Toy Cat
by PTLParsons

Comment by JamieWillmott:
A little over exposed and background seems a little cluttered. Excellent expressions on the animals though.

Please give me my Toy Cat
by PTLParsons

Comment by blick:
a closer crop with less background would give a more artistic image

Please give me my Toy Cat
by PTLParsons

Comment by justine:
Good looking Boxer, love them.

Please give me my Toy Cat
by PTLParsons

Comment by MattW:
Nice cliche.