Critique Please...(YACP) - DPChallenge Forums

10/08/2004 08:12:48 PM · #1

Yet Another Cat Picture...

My goal is to become a nature photographer. While yes this isn't exactly what I would call nature photography, I have at my disposal a somewhat willing subject to practice on.

I welcome all comments and suggestions. I have alot to learn.

Kylie

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35

10/08/2004 08:17:46 PM · #2

Beautiful cat and I love the look you captured on her face. I think the DOF is a bit off, and I would experiment with filling the frame in more creative ways to see what it can bring out - but I am such a beginner, I am sure those more knowledgeable will provide some better guidance here. Good luck and have lots of fun with it!

10/08/2004 08:24:23 PM · #3

Originally posted by Kylie:

When you say depth of field is off, do you mean too shallow?

I think her expression is one of resignation - I had been at it awhile.

Message edited by author 2004-10-08 20:26:37.

Kylie

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35

10/08/2004 08:30:15 PM · #4

Originally posted by kadac00:

Originally posted by Kylie:
Beautiful cat and I love the look you captured on her face. I think the DOF is a bit off, and I would experiment with filling the frame in more creative ways to see what it can bring out - but I am such a beginner, I am sure those more knowledgeable will provide some better guidance here. Good luck and have lots of fun with it!

When you say depth of field is off, do you mean too shallow?

I think her expression is one of resignation - I had been at it awhile.

Like I said, I am not one of the experts. What I am seeing with the DOF is that her "face" is in clear focus, but immediately and quickly we spread out to an area out of focus. The rest of her body is extremely out of focus. Somehow the fast transition seems a bit wrong to me. I hope that makes some kind of sense. So, yes, in a nutshell, too shallow.

Message edited by author 2004-10-08 20:30:48.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

10/08/2004 08:42:54 PM · #5

Originally posted by Kylie:

Your comments are much appreciated - its very helpful to understand what other people see.

I'm shooting full manual to learn how to judge shutter speed and f-stop. If she's agreeable, I'll try again tomorrow - grab the tripod and maybe crank up the ISO to 400?

Message edited by author 2004-10-08 20:43:34.

hlswilson

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

10/08/2004 09:08:44 PM · #6

What I really like is that the background color matches your cat's eyes so closely. IMO it helps to accentuate the eyes and keep my attention there. I'd also like to see more of the cat in focus. The fur on its hips is very blurry and almost seems to start merging into the cushion in the far lower left portion. Lastly, I'd be interested to see you get down a little lower when taking this picture. I'm thinking that the eyes might be even more accentuated if the cat's head is the tallest part of its body visible in the shot. In the shot below, the cat's back can be viewed between the ears and to the right of the ears. I don't own cats, so I don't know if they're very posable, but I'm guessing that it would be easier for you to move instead of trying to pose your cat so that it's upper half is higher. Hope this helps some. Give the kitty a treat for being such a good model. :-)

10/08/2004 09:56:16 PM · #7

Hmmm, no ... posable is not a word I'd use. Any attempt to pose her would probably involve stitches :). I have another cat, Figaro, who likes to show off and pose for pictures. He's no challenge.

She's a very skittish cat and usually runs when I come outside, so I shot this through the glass in the back door at head height. She's probably an excellent subject for practicing sneaking up on wildlife - once I cross some imaginary line she's up and over the fence.

I'll try and get a lower shot with more DOF for comparison.

Thank you.

Message edited by author 2004-10-08 21:57:50.