New to Forum...hello!

[webgirlsarefun]

I've been actively reading this forum since I bought my S400 at Christmas ime - everyon has great tips, tricks and suggestions!!! Thank you!

I'm new to digital photography (and photography in general) and wanted to post a pic for critique. I'm primarily interested in abstract-type still lifes, landscapes, architecture and such...but for now my poor cats are my guinea pigs.

What do you think...how could I have shot this better...anything helps.

Thanks!

-Dana

http://www.dummygirl.com/photogallery/photoset01/images/sammy01.jpg

[mvrekum]

What do you think...how could I have shot this better...anything helps.

Hi Dana, welcome to the forum.

As you can see for yourself, the head of your cat is dark compared to the background. When you have situations like these it is best to use a fill-flash to lighten the foreground.
Another option is to crumple a sheet of aluminum foil and then gleu it onto a piece of cardboard (20"x20"). With this you can reflect the light from the window onto your subject.

Good luck with your cats,
Martin

[webgirlsarefun]

I was afraid to use a flash in fear of red eye...but I never though about using tin foil to manipulate the natural light. Thank you!

-Dana

What do you think...how could I have shot this better...anything helps.

Hi Dana, welcome to the forum.

As you can see for yourself, the head of your cat is dark compared to the background. When you have situations like these it is best to use a fill-flash to lighten the foreground.
Another option is to crumple a sheet of aluminum foil and then gleu it onto a piece of cardboard (20"x20"). With this you can reflect the light from the window onto your subject.

Good luck with your cats,
Martin

[SoCal69]

Personally, I don't mind the darker exposure on the cat, but to me it seems that the colored quilt (or whatever it is) in the background tends to pull my attention there rather than on the subject. Just my amateur opinion.

[Maxhome]

As a complete amateur, I'd just add this: I love the pic, and my better half sitting next to me has just asked me to save a copy so she can send it to her pals! Do I need to pay you royalties? :)

More seriously, but equally as an amateur, I like the dark foreground... and I'm not put off by the quilt/carpet whatever. There is a nice ethereal quality to the whiskers. The blur in the background works. I guess as a cat-person that I'm biased, but in short I really like this pic. The cat is looking at me, but as relaxed as only cats can be. That in itself is a result. I take a simple like/don't like view, and out of 10, I'd give this a 9.

[tracy]

that's a great picture of your cat. i was wondering as to what setting you used to get the background out of focus with your camera. i seem to be having trouble with that on mine,which is an a70.

[AZMom]

I love the picture! I am quite a fan of kitties, so I may be biased, lol, but seriously it is a gorgeous picture. Did you use a zoom and were you shooting in the Portrait mode to blur the background? I'm trying to learn, too, and would appreciate the info! Thanks. :D

[CyberDyneSystems]

Welcome to the Forum Dana :)

Great shot of your cat! The s400 is a fun little camera :)

[Ronnie Valentine]

I liked the idea but I agree the background seems to busy (distracting).
Can't wait to see more!!