Cattitude

[Noni]

I am trying to learn lighting. As I haven't any children to force posing, I use my cats. I haven't got the first clue about lighting, so please have no expectations of a decently lit shot. However, I had to post Esse's expression...she was "posing" with one of her favorite toys, a jingle bell cluster...and was very clear as to who owns it.

Enjoy!
Noni

**PS: if anyone wants to try to hammer WB through my thick skull, please do. I am so frustrated at my inability to understand it at the moment...

[LazyPhotographer]

You might get some really good advice if you move this to "talk about photography".

I'm clueless about lighting and never touch WB. But I think what you need here is some levels and/or contrast. I don't use PS so I don't know what it's called and for lack of a better explanation - in PhotoImpact it's the tone map where you slide the thing in the histogram to where black really equals black.

I did a quick sample. Hope you don't mimd: http://www.onlinephotographers.com/gallery/albums/lazypics_forum/noni.jpg

PS: I would practice with the cat in front of a BG that is NOT so light though. And cats are my fave and mine always make sure I know who the toys belong to! I'm exptected to bring a new one home each month too! ;-)

[Noni]

Hi, LP! THanks for the sampling...I've toyed with the histogram (I think that's what you mean) but I lose some clarity when doing that...

Maybe I shouldn't try white...maybe some cream or canvas, something that isn't so damned hard to figure out. I dunno...I just wanna yell. This would've been a great shot if the balance was correct...but no, it's me...and I can't figure what to do about white!!!!!!!!!! Argh. Sigh...5 hours of playing around, and not a darned thing worth keeping.

Oh well. She's willing to pose, so I'm sure I'll get lots more of my fat dilute calico mog.

Thanks for the help, though. 'Tis appreciated.

Best-
Noni

[Maureen Souza]

The photo itself is great, Noni. I just got PS CS2 last week and trying sooo hard to learn it so I hope you don't mind me playing a bit. I upped the contrast and and added a Smart Sharpen filter for motion blur. I also softened up the shadow but I didn't want to eliminate it due to the whiskers. Lastly, I used the sharpen tool to bring the eyes out a bit more. Hope you like it.....

Maureen

[PhotosGuy]

If you aren't using RAW, then I suggest you forget about the cams AutoWB. Look at what happened to the colors here:
Gray card: Why your meter may be lying to you! (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=54281)