Cats and stairs

[Ruben Alfu]

I hope you like it!

Regards

 

[fahim mohammed]

Hi Ruben,

I saw these 3 this morning ( my morning! ).

Eerie is what I felt then and now.

The third pic is wonderful. Snarl!!

Regards.

 

[Ruben Alfu]

Hi Fahim, thanks so much for your comments. I'm not a cat person but I love their enigmatic personality!

 

[Asher Kelman]

I hope you like it!

Ruben,

This one picture says it for the 4 you have posted! The wider view gives interesting context. The tile is exotic and so decorative and gives detail to contrast with the almost featureless black coat of the cat.

The tiles seem to pick a point of blue from the tile! Fascinating that the tabby cat above left has color towards the exposed brick and plaster on the right.

I'd re-examine the processing of just the fur of the black cat. Is there hidden detail?

If this were to be the one picture of a series, what else could follow this composition, I wonder?

Asher

 

[Ruben Alfu]

Ruben,

This one picture says it for the 4 you have posted! The wider view gives interesting context. The tile is exotic and so decorative and gives detail to contrast with the almost featureless black coat of the cat.

The tiles seem to pick a point of blue from the tile! Fascinating that the tabby cat above left has color towards the exposed brick and plaster on the right.
Asher

Thanks very much for you observations Asher!

I'd re-examine the processing of just the fur of the black cat. Is there hidden detail?

Perhaps something could be rescued but I prefer to live it black because I want an atmosphere a little mysterious, I think describing better the cat takes away from that.

If this were to be the one picture of a series, what else could follow this composition, I wonder?

That's a good question, a very nutritive food for thought! Right now I don't have an answer, the only planning and intention behind this photo was the good old "let's hit the street and see what we find". There is an artistic intention implied in this (even if unconscious) but limited to the scope of these particular shots.

As usual, I appreciate your ability to instill the will to go further!

Regards,

Ruben

 

[Asher Kelman]

I'd re-examine the processing of just the fur of the black cat. Is there hidden detail?

Perhaps something could be rescued but I prefer to live it black because I want an atmosphere a little mysterious, I think describing better the cat takes away from that.

Ruben,

Of course it must remain black. But could it, perhaps, have detail, a face or paws, for example? Does your design require just a black smooth mass with no sheen of fur, zero?

If so, then that's your motif and I will not question the appearance further. But is it your will, or is it something you overlooked, perhaps? These questions might be answered if you re-examine the raw file and see if a hint of such detail doesn't satisfy you more.

Either way, you've done a splendid job and I adore the picture.

Asher

 

[Ruben Alfu]

Thanks Asher, I'm glad that you like the picture!

I tried to leave just enough light in certain areas to describe the cat's main features. In my monitor I can see the mouth, part of the legs, spine, and the tail. If you are not seeing this, perhaps I do have to lighten up these areas more, and I would definitely want to have these details in a print.

On second thought, most probably you are right and this photo wouldn't print right as is.


Ruben

 

[Asher Kelman]

Thanks Asher, I'm glad that you like the picture!

I tried to leave just enough light in certain areas to describe the cat's main features. In my monitor I can see the mouth, part of the legs, spine, and the tail. If you are not seeing this, perhaps I do have to lighten up these areas more, and I would definitely want to have these details in a print.

On second thought, most probably you are right and this photo wouldn't print right as is.


Ruben

Ruben,

Could be that you monitor is set too bright! Try printing it!

Asher

 

[Ruben Alfu]

Ruben,

Could be that you monitor is set too bright! Try printing it!

Asher

I take care to keep my monitor and editing room in optimal conditions, but the truth is that this edit could be too dark anyway. Eventually when I do a version for print I'll certainly take special care of those dark areas.

Ruben

 

[Cem_Usakligil]

Hi Ruben,

I have been meaning to reply to this thread but could not do so due to being very busy, apologies. You have some very nice pictures here, especially for a cat lover like myself. Let me address the first picture like Asher before me. I have been re-reading the excellent book on composition by Harald Mante called The Photograph. I will borrow his terminology and analysis style to help me formulate my comments here.

I hope you like it!

There are quite a few interesting compositional elements here. Firstly, we have the black cat which functions as the main point in the image. It is placed in a pleasingly off center location and has a balanced tension with the edges and the corners of the image. The second cat also functions as a point, albeit of lesser importance. These two points form a virtual oblique line which disect the picture. There are repeating horizontal lines (steps) which create a rhythm in the picture. The vertical bars on the left functions as a stopper which stops us from leaving the picture. Since the steps form a slightly declining diagonal, our eyes would normally tend to follow through to the right and below and leave the picture. But there, we have the excellent wall structure stopping us. The wall structure without paint functions as a tertiary point forming an inverted triangle with the two cats, whereas the stairs form a standing triangle in their own. Coincientally, their intersection is brighter than the rest of the image making that area important. I think that the empty hall to the left of the vertical bars does not add to the composition and the leftmost wall might be cropped. Also, I would consider cloning the small light spot above the upper cat as it can create a distruption. Regarding the lighting of the black cat, I am not much bothered by the lack of definition in it's fur. The eyes come out well as it is and locks our gaze into them as the final resting place. All in all, although this might be consiered by some casual lookers as a snapshot, I think that it is a very good composition and a worthy picture. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Ruben Alfu]

Hi Cem,

Apologies? Cmon buddy...

So you like cats eh? They are cool creatures really. I'm not extremely proud of this photo, there's something in it that "works", is just that. Your comment is very useful to me because reveals structures that probably explain why the image works or not at different levels. Thanks so much for taking the time to do such a comprehensive analysis. Thanks for your kind comments and suggestions too.

Take care Cem, don't work too much and post more pictures!

Regards,

Ruben