Cat Closeup

[Cailin_Rua]

A closeup of my cat. I'd like your opinions on what works/doesn't work and how I could make a shot like this better.

Thanks!


Willow by An Cailin Rua, on Flickr

 

[Sean1965]

Better, more of the cat I guess, as a close up cropped the way it is I think it is very nice you have the catch lights in the cats eyes looks like a very nice close up.

 

[cgipson1]

Looks like maybe a window on the cat's left? and you used your pop-up flash, possibly?

Looks like you could do some sharpening on it... and maybe increase the contrast a bit.

 

[Cailin_Rua]

Yes...just the popup flash and in front of a window. Thanks for the pointer!

 

[cgipson1]

Yes...just the popup flash and in front of a window. Thanks for the pointer!

Just some suggestions on make "that" photo look better. You may also want to read up on basic composition skills a little also. Typically with a cat, you want to show the ears on a headshot, as most viewers will almost automatically identify with the shaped of a cat's face/head/ears .. and it adds interest.

Maybe a little greater DOF.. so that more of the face is in focus... and everything will be a bit sharper. Make sure you nail that focus.. on the eyes. This does look a little soft..

Some of my recent cat shots as examples...

http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/just-fun/267040-koko-savannah-white-blue.html

http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/just-fun/267539-oh-no-upside-down-kitty-kat-looks-so-sad.html

 

[KmH]

Turning the camera to the portrait frame orientation would have been helpful to get the cat's ears in the shot.

 

[dxqcanada]

Yes, more of the "catness" is required.
As a cat owner, you know that they have characteristics that will come out in an image.

Watch your flash usage as it may flatten the image (no shadows).

 

[KenC]

I have to go against the flow here. It's obviously a cat as is and I don't feel the least deprived not seeing the ears or the ends of the whiskers for that matter. Extreme close-ups of people often do not show ears and some of the hair.

 

[sm4him]

To me, the problem is that this seems like an "in-between" shot. I'd rather see a much tighter crop, basically just the cat's eyes, nose, mouth and chin; or see more of the cat--at least the ears. But if you do more of the cat, it needs to be a little sharper.

 

[paigew]

I have seen many cute cat pics with no ears. I know exactly what your going for (I think haha) this? https://www.google.com/search?q=clo...uM8js2gXrkvG6Ag&ved=0CCsQsAQ&biw=1233&bih=573

I would say closer crop and more straight on

 

[cgipson1]

I have seen many cute cat pics with no ears. I know exactly what your going for (I think haha) this? https://www.google.com/search?q=clo...uM8js2gXrkvG6Ag&ved=0CCsQsAQ&biw=1233&bih=573

I would say closer crop and more straight on

something like this?

 

[photo guy]

A little close, however, I like it like it is now.