Just getting started (c&c please)

pharmakon · Aug 24, 2009

I just started getting into photography as a hobby. I have been reading some books (1&2 of the Kelby series and just started the newest Bryan Peterson book) and also learned alot of things here on TPF. I pulled out my old Powershot A520, set it to manual, and started working on exposure and composition, right now I am practicing Filling the frame and ROT, as well as learning to use manual settings. Here's my favorite from this morning, please let me know what you think.

dhilberg · Aug 24, 2009

I like it. Nice detail in the eyes, exposure looks about right. I don't like that you clipped the cat's ear. You also clipped its paw, but I think it's OK because it's not part of the face.

The one thing that sticks out is the cat is looking out of the frame. With the same pose, I would have tried to move the cat to the left side of the frame, looking in.

pharmakon · Aug 24, 2009

Thanks for the reply. I see what you mean about the ear and the paw... I actually ended up cropping the paw after the fact because there was the edge of a flower pot in the bottom right corner that was kind of distracting. Hopefully next time i will see things like that before taking the shot and just move it out of the frame.

I also see that my subject could use some breathing room to the right now that you mention it.

Bad Andy · Aug 24, 2009

Great job on exposure. I like the pic. The ear being cut off has been mentioned by others, but it was the first thing I saw. I like the cat's expression, it looks like he is about to jump out and pounce on something.

The cat's right paw has some blue around it, I am not sure if that was something left from post processing, or if it is some of the blanket that is in the basket. It just looks a little out of place.

Otherwise, great pic.

-Andy