Whiskers
by Melethia

Comment by Yo_Spiff:
It does not wow me any, but it is a nice and detailed shot of the cat's whiskers. One of those shots that is really pretty good, but just does not bowl me over or grab me. I'll say I would have probably sixed it, but in voting it could have gotten a five from me, not really sure.

Edited to add: I don't like to read others comments before I add my own, as I don't want them to influence what I say. I think Louis may have nailed it down better than I did. In a free study, you have a glut of "wow" shots that people have worked on all month, or saved their best for, and the subtle but good ones get lost in the crowd.

Message edited by author 2008-03-10 18:55:56.

Simply red
by Melethia

Comment by Yo_Spiff:
I haven't really gotten serious with layers yet, so a lot of your processing steps went over my head right now.

I really like what you did with it. Even though the tones are more subdued, it brought out the veins in the flowers. The composition may be a little too heavy on the left side, where all the red is. That's the only thing I might fault it with.

I did not vote on this one, but I think I would have given it a 6 or 7.

Message edited by author 2008-03-10 18:46:26.

Whiskers
by Melethia

Comment by Wink:
You are the master of otherworldly whiskers. They add an extra dimension that transcends catdom.

Simply red
by Melethia

Comment by EstimatedEyes:
Hey Deb -- I didn't vote on this one originally, but I do like the colors and soft processing and DOF techniques. The composition is pleasing as well, though a part of me would like to see more of those flowers on the left edge, at least that top one that's lost just the tip of its petal. The colors and tones on the leaves are marvelous. Very lifelike.

Whiskers
by Melethia

Comment by wheeledd:
Tell Thomas I think he has great whiskers; they are certainly better than mine.

I really liked this. It is not "yet another cat picture." It features the whiskers and says something about how important they are to a cat. My whiskers don't do much useful for me except catch stray bits of spaghetti sauce, but his are an important part of his sensory system and they help him interact with things in close quarters.

The paw. What is that paw doing there? Is it a distraction that draws attention away from the whiskers? Or does it contribute to the feeling that he is interacting with something in close quarters? I haven't decided about this.

--DanW

Simply red
by Melethia

Comment by wheeledd:
This is a response to your request today for comments on this image.

I think it is simply lovely! It conveys very well the beauty of flowers in a bunch waiting to be sold. It is quite a contrast to flowers that have been primped for display. The soft focus seems just right.

The composition supports the idea that these are flowers lying in a bunch rather than upright for display. I would have preferred more of the tulips on the left and less of the leaves on the right but I don't feel strongly about this.

--DanW

Whiskers
by Melethia

Comment by Louis:
I think this merely suffered from "free study glut", whereby the subtler entries get drowned out by the candy-esque ones in a challenge with many entrants. My opinion is that this is a delicately subtle and a gentle, understated take on a pet portrait. It may have been even more effective had the nose also been in focus, perhaps helping to anchor the delicacy of the whiskers. That focus field is right at his chin and whiskers, and though a tad nit-picky, this fact detracts slightly for me. Overall a very lovely photo. I adore cats.

Tea for One
by Melethia

Comment by tnun:
Stands on its own. Great story. (Guess you didn't really need those umlauts after all).

Tea spoon
by Melethia

Comment by Sunshine86:
great work with the DOF, used very effectively here

10.52 dear
by Melethia

Comment by Bud:
nicely done, the people in the background give it a candid feel that otherwise would not exist.