DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register
 
Challenge Entries
Portfolio Images
This image is not part of a public portfolio.
The Tourist
The Tourist
Elemmennope


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Miniature (Basic Editing I)
Camera: Olympus C-750UZ
Location: My living room
Date: Jul 28, 2004
Aperture: 3.2
ISO: 50
Shutter: 1/15
Galleries: Animals
Date Uploaded: Jul 31, 2004

Started out just taking photos of the Eiffel Tower lamp as my miniature subject. My cat likes to sit under lights and warm herself; she also likes to be involved in everything I do. So naturally she jumped up there in the middle of my shoot to watch me fiddling with the camera. I took a few of her sitting there just for me but ended up finding the images including her more interesting than my original plan. Thought about making it B&W but decided I really liked her pink ears as a point of color. Mostly, I'm very worried I'm suffering from that common problem of seeing how cute my cat/dog/kid is, but ruining the image for other people. I think this is more than a snapshot. Is it?

A little worried about the dark nature of this shot. I think a lot could depend on the calibration of peoples' monitors.

So, not a lot of hope in this one. But *I* like it. Regardless of how it does in the challenge, it's a wonderful portrait of a beloved pet for us. :)

Crop
Contrast/Brightness
Resize

Statistics
Place: 153 out of 240
Avg (all users): 4.8281
Avg (commenters): 6.8000
Avg (participants): 4.6837
Avg (non-participants): 4.9177
Views since voting: 1337
Views during voting: 358
Votes: 256
Comments: 15
Favorites: 4 (view)


Please log in or register to add your comments!

AuthorThread
09/16/2005 10:49:53 AM
This has a laughable aspec to it. Here's this big kitty and this little Eiffel tower. I mean, we know it's a lamp and all, but the dimensions are funny. Great smile from me!! THANKS
  Photographer found comment helpful.
09/16/2005 10:45:22 AM
I'm not a big cat fan myself, but this shot really has a very special quality about it. The muted tones and unique lighting all work very well IMHO to bring the opposing subjects together. I do agree that a little bounced lighting on the cat might help shed some light on him/her (pun intended), and that a little camera around his/her neck would be cute, but I really like the shot as is. Very creative and unusual.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/17/2004 05:06:18 PM
Hi Jennifer and Greetings from the Critique Club

First let me say I really liked your Balance Entry - on several levels.

Before we disect your The Tourist let's discuss the scores a bit. I suspect that a) some voters (many perhaps) may not have noticed the Eifel Tower replica - and spent time looking for the "miniature" cat. b) Some voters felt like there needed to another "similar" item to make the size comparison - that is a miniature spoon with a regular fork, but they would have trouble comparing a cat to the tower. c) Some voters plainly "hate" cats and vote them low. d) Others may not have drawn the connection to the title and the mood you were trying to convey.

Having said all that - now lets try some of the "standard" ways of looking at the image.

a) For those that "got it" - the moodiness of the lighting, or the mystery of a tourist in a foreign country, these comments won't apply. Let's face it - you "violated" some sacred rules.

1. The most obvious area is the lighting. a) The entire bottom of the picture (below the table) is in shadow, so the traditional lead-in line(s) is/are missing. b) The main subject is in shadow (most would think the subject is the cat) except for the ears. Many would really want more light on the face and especially the eyes.

2. The composition is also pretty non-traditional. There are several items that are not "straight" or "level." The lampshade, the angle of the table to the ground, and the angle of the baseboard all create an unnatural tension.

To get the attention of those who didn't get it, there are a couple things you may have tried - to EXAGGERATE the effect you were after. I know it probably would not work, but can you even imagine the cat in a tiny trench coat? Another approach would be a title in French instead of English - like "Regardez des champions du Mars" may have helped some.

In any event, I got the feeling you had fun doing this - and that's the most important thing!

Keep shooting (for yourself, not the voters) and sharing. It's more fun that way!

-Tom-
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
08/10/2004 11:34:43 PM
What a cool cat photo.. The tilt on the lampshade and the lighting overall is neat, makes your pussy seem dark and mysterious. :-).
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/10/2004 09:07:25 AM
how did you get that cat to sit still? very nice - kitty is a bit on the dark side i think...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/09/2004 10:52:11 AM
wether it fits the theme or not, i find that this is a beautifull picture. I love the simplicity behind it's composition and the lighting is perfect finally the cat is a bit mean and lovely.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/09/2004 03:33:42 AM
Super! 10.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/09/2004 01:01:35 AM
bon
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/08/2004 12:13:22 PM
Funny. He just needs a camera around his neck to complete the visual.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/06/2004 03:20:00 PM
i dont understand. whats miniature? the ifel tower?
08/06/2004 01:16:23 PM
the cat here is in shadow. i think it would be better if you could see it properly.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/05/2004 02:17:07 PM
More front lighting on the cat would have been a plus IMO
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/05/2004 02:19:11 AM
makes me want to smoke. I do not know why.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/04/2004 12:23:15 PM
Points for a well behaved cat. Some bounced light on its face would be good.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/04/2004 01:03:31 AM
wow! amazing lighting and composition!!!
the cat looks a bit evil, but i cant hold that against you... you get a 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.


Home - Challenges - Community - League - Photos - Cameras - Lenses - Learn - Prints! - Help - Terms of Use - Privacy - Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2024 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 03/29/2024 04:25:19 AM EDT.