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Dougie in fall

© lisa anderson

Dougie in fall

Uploaded: November 27, 2013

Description

Exif: Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 1/25 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 100, FocalLength: 200.00 mm, Model: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XSi

Comments

Michael Kelly level-deluxe November 28, 2013

Lisa a very good looking kitty, but the photo does not work well for me. The most important area of the face and eyes is in shadow while all of the bright areas pull my eye away. I think a fill flash might have worked well here or just a bit different lighting situation. #1554230

Jeff E Jensen November 28, 2013

I agree with Mike's assessment, not the strongest image as it is. #10908996

Beth Spencer November 28, 2013

Very cute cat, but I agree too much of the face is in the bright area and competing for the main focus. #10909005

Peter W. Marks November 28, 2013

Not working me either Lisa I'm afraid and I'm a two-moggie person. #10909020

lisa anderson November 28, 2013

Thanks for the comments. Does anyone have any ideas for something I could try with editing? I did lighten up his eyes but not enough.
What's a two-moggie person, Peter? #10909031

Peter W. Marks November 28, 2013

"Moggie" is the Brit slang for a cat, particularly non-pedigree ones; rather in the way that mongrel dogs are referred to as 'mutts". I have a short haired calico and a short haired dark tabby hence I am a two-moggie person!. I was surprised when I came over here that even adults refer to cats as "kitties", Back in the UK no person over about 7yrs old would use that expression.
I will leave it to the experts to suggest how you might improve the image Lisa but I suspect that those already blown out spots of light would need some fairly drastic cloning and masking so that on another layer you could make levels adjustments to just Dougie.
#10909038

Stephen Shoff November 28, 2013

I suppose, Lisa, that you were wanting the soft focus effect for the cat, but that is part of what's not working for me. It looks like you took this picture through something. You might try a little more contrast and sharpening on the cat's face. That might help your primary subject compete with the highlights. #10909075

Rita K. Connell level-classic November 29, 2013

what a cute picture Dougie, I agree that it needs more contrast added, I play around with it a little and this is what I did. I first clone out almost all of the white around his right side of his head which helped with the distraction and then I gave it a contrast adjustment and last I gave it a level adjustment pulling both side to the middle. I think you have to play with that to your own liking. I use the saturation tool on his eyes. I forget Lisa what do you use for editing your images. #10909257

lisa anderson November 29, 2013

Hi everyone, thanks very much for the feedback. I discovered an artist names Emanuele Luzzati last week, and now I want to make whimsical art like he does. That's what I was going for here...although my judgement is always clouded with my cats. I did try an edit (I use photoshop CS6). The picture actually looks way darker on betterphoto than on my screen.
Thanks for teaching me a new word, Peter. #10909335

Rita K. Connell level-classic November 29, 2013

well your edit goes more to the high key look. which I like but different than what you post original so my suggestion wouldn't work but I would saturate his eyes even more. #10909683

Susan Williams November 30, 2013

This is a bold experiment, Lisa, and I applaud you for trying something new. You're a good sport, too. I wonder what the edited version would look like in B&W with some tweaks to make the eyes, nose and mouth stand out (but not shout). I know there's artwork present, but I'm not sure how to get there except keep playing with "what if." This is the type of image that makes the Topaz bundle so much fun. #10911420

Dale Hardin November 30, 2013

This is a cute shot, Lisa and I like the lens flare. I agree it is on the dull side, but there is an easy fix.

Remember, you can duplicate some adjustments to enhance their results. For instance, try this.

Create a Levels layer and use the auto adjust.

create another levels layer and apply a 100% screen blend.

Apply another levels layer and apply a linear dodge blend.

Finally use the shadows/highlights tool on the resulting image to open the shadows.

I can email you the result if you like. #10911697

lisa anderson November 30, 2013

Hi Kalena-I did two blackandwhite verions for you. Dale-do you think I should try those adjustments from the orignal post or the edit? #10911732

Susan Williams November 30, 2013

I really like the B&W, Lisa (and the one without the colored eyes best). I wouldn't describe it as whimsical, but it is very artistic to my eye. I think it could be brightened/lightened a little more or perhaps the contrast adjusted slightly. Nice work! Of course, Dale always knows best and I'd love to see what he suggests on the color version so you get the whimsy you wanted. #10911746

Dale Hardin November 30, 2013

Lisa, the suggestions were based on the original posted image. #10911784

Beth Spencer December 02, 2013

I like the last version the best, I wonder what more saturation to the eyes would do? #10913634

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