Hi all,
I've been lurking here for a month or so and doing lots of reading, and have decided it's time to post some of my shots. This girl is about 6 months old in these shots, she is a Maine Coon, the largest breed of pedigreed cats.
Comments welcome - but please be gentle, this is my first post!!! I have other shots of her, but can't seem to attach more than one image.

Absolutely beautiful cat. My favorite! The pose is unusual and I really like it. The only thing I might suggest is not having as even light on her/him. Welcome.

very nice composition. I'd crop it as a smaller 5x7 and do some color adjustments, (auto levels for the cat, and desaturate the background is all - i did not sharpen or hit the eyes, but I would if it were mine) but, no matter, I like the shot, a lot, it really captures the cat. I may also try to shoot it as eye level next time, it would have been easy to do, so try it next time. I'm not sure it would have worked any better, you really don’t know until you try.

On the other hand, some animals, especially predators, look better photographed from a lower point. animals like bighorn sheep and mountain goats usually look more natural shot from slightly below eye level, it show's their dominance and it's not natural to see these animals from high angles.



That's not true for cats, as we see them from above all the time, but, they still are predators and still exhibit the catlike prowl of their wild cousins.

Great job!

P.S. , I'm likely the worst Photoshop guy on this site, so I did not make those adjustments to show you what I am capable of, I did them to show you what your shot could look like with a couple of quick and simple adjustments. I think you did a great job with the shot!

It is a very cool capture of a neat cat. You did a good job with this. The Cat's fur has some hot spots on it, so, you may want to dial down the lights a hair. There are all sorts of cool ways to play with your lighting.

I played with it in photoshop and didn't do a great job, and it is very similar to Tony's

Welcome, Fiona!

I am glad that you decided to join the forum. I also have a fascination with Maine Coon cats. We have one at home (a rescue...one of fifty seven cats taken from an inscrupulous breeder here in NY) and I am quite fond of his huge size and cool temperment.

I like the points on your boy. I like the adjustments that Tony made to the background though. I like the solid black...it really brings out the cat's eyes.

Again, welcome!

James

Thanks everyone for your comments, and the welcomes ... I've attached another shot of the same kitten which is another shot of her that I quite like.

Love the pose, she is a beautiful subject. You have done a great job getting her into a relaxed and attractive pose. Not easy to do!

what are you using for lighting? Remember to meter off of the cat and not let it fool you into trying to expose the background. There are parts of both of this cat that have been overexposed. Dropping the light power down, will really help bring out the detail in her white fur.

It is so easy to ovexpose a white animal. They are a definite challenge. You have done a really great job with these