This was a trial garden kitty. Very friendly and the poor thing got carried all over the place by my daughter

Hey Julie,

I always love the pumped up colors the Oly produces. Very nice indeed. I want to like that first head shot, but the tail keeps on throwing me off. I realize that you did this intentionally - I am just find it distracting.

When you say a trial garden kittie, what does that mean?

James

This was taken at the University of TN trial gardens(an arboretum) and they have cats that help keep down the vermin population. This one was beyond friendly.

I am kinda with you on the cat photo. The tail is a bit distracting. I left it low on contrast trying to accentuate the softness. Still not sure how well it works. One of those, there are parts I like, but doesn't entirely work

Very nice shots. I really like the last one. Thinking that its her cat you’d find this a very cute shot, but knowing it’s not hers, makes it more so.
I had a theory years ago about Garden Nursery cats. When I was a kid, all the garden centers my parents dragged us to had cats. Well pre-home depot and the such. And well, we were completely uninterested in the plants, and interested in the cats as were most all kids. They are the friendliest cats around and I think it’s because all day they were manhandled by all the kids. Sure some adults would give them attention, but the cats are so handled that they know they will be fine. So if you want a friendly cat go get it from a Nursery:) Or if you want to see how tame a cat can be, do the same.

maybe the cats really are put there to captivate the kids allowing the moms and dads to enjoy the gardens. . .

Maybe?

Nice shots, I love cats and kids!

I like the last one the most and the way your daughter's eyes are closed is expressive. The middle shot, I would like to see her eyes a little more clearly though, to match with the visibility of the cat's eyes.

Question for James here: tonight a wedding photographer was telling me that in most wedding group shots there are people with closed eyes, and that they Photoshop in open eyes. How would they know what colour, or is there a sort of neutral colour used to give people open eyes if they blinked when the shots were taken? Is that normally done?

you can cut an paste eyes without much trouble.

This software program is free. It just was published and i found the link in PoP Photo. I've downloaded it but have not tried it yet.

If any of you get to it, let us know how it worked. . .

http://research.microsoft.com/projects/GroupShot/

Hey Tony,

Thanks for the link. I am going to look at it this evening.

PC,

Well...I try as hard as possible to NOT cut and paste eyes. However, I honestly don't mind doing it if I have to. Typically, I try to get the group to cooperate with me if people say they are blinkers (every group has at least one)..."OK for those who are blinkers...close your eyes. I will count to three. When I say three, open your eyes." Then I shoot just as they are opening. It works like a charm.

James