Contemplation

[Matt Kneale]

Taken shortly after my new D80 arrived, I saw the purrfect opportunity to go outside and shoot my cat (with a camera..) Critique welcomed

Picture Information
Camera: Nikon D80
Focal Length: 70mm
Aperture: F/4.5
Shutter Speed: 1/200 sec.
ISO: 200
Edited in Adobe Photoshop 7.0 (curves and levels) and shot in JPEG format.

Hope you like it
Matt

[Ian]

Re: Contemplation

I dunno about contemplation - he/she looks asleep!

Personally, I think cat portraits really need the eyes open unless it's a particularly unusual pose.

You must fascinated by the relatively limited depth of field with the DSLR compared to your compact digicam?

Ian

[Matt Kneale]

Re: Contemplation

The depth of field on my D80 is significantly limited compared to my old compact, yes, but I haven't found it particularly restricting as of yet.

A few people have said he looks asleep on my gallery on deviantART, yet believe it or not he's actually awake! That's where the title Contemplation comes from, as he is looking down in deep thought.

Thanks for commenting
Matt

[coupekid]

Re: Contemplation

The depth of field on my D80 is significantly limited compared to my old compact, yes, but I haven't found it particularly restricting as of yet.

A few people have said he looks asleep on my gallery on deviantART, yet believe it or not he's actually awake! That's where the title Contemplation comes from, as he is looking down in deep thought.

Thanks for commenting
Matt

a nice compelling shot Matt. As a cat lover, I always like these sorts of shots, it really sums cats up.....if you know what I mean.....

With regard to the limited depth of field, you could always up the 'F' value, this will lengthen the depth of field, but you will find you will need a longer shutter speed. Also, limiting the amount of zoom has a similar effect, and using the widest angle, and getting up close and personal to your cat results in some interesting shots!

By the way Matt, I think you have a good eye for photography, have you thought about lending your experience to commenting on others work in the critique forum?

[Matt Kneale]

Re: Contemplation

By the way Matt, I think you have a good eye for photography, have you thought about lending your experience to commenting on others work in the critique forum?

A subtle hint if I ever did see one, Ben
I'll happily go around and give critique when asked, i'm generally just terrible at doing it as a spur-of-the-moment kind of thing, because I tend to forget I should! I'll try and be a bit more active in this forum from time to time, as well as on deviantART.

Matt

[Ian]

Re: Contemplation

a nice compelling shot Matt. As a cat lover, I always like these sorts of shots, it really sums cats up.....if you know what I mean.....

With regard to the limited depth of field, you could always up the 'F' value, this will lengthen the depth of field, but you will find you will need a longer shutter speed. Also, limiting the amount of zoom has a similar effect, and using the widest angle, and getting up close and personal to your cat results in some interesting shots!

By the way Matt, I think you have a good eye for photography, have you thought about lending your experience to commenting on others work in the critique forum?

Actually, my mention of DOF field was meant as a positive one - being able to decrease the in-focus range can be both a boon (as in the cat pic) and a pain when you need everything in focus.

Ian

[coupekid]

Re: Contemplation

Actually, my mention of DOF field was meant as a positive one - being able to decrease the in-focus range can be both a boon (as in the cat pic) and a pain when you need everything in focus.

Ian

I agree entirely with what you said, and it does work well here, however, Matt's quote 'The depth of field on my D80 is significantly limited compared to my old compact, yes, but I haven't found it particularly restricting as of yet. ' led me to my comments.

[vlarcombe]

Re: Contemplation

Hi Matt,

Probably contemplating an ant or something.

I think this is a lovely capture, somehow very "catty", very laid back with his chin on his leg.

Vernon.

[Matt Kneale]

Re: Contemplation

Indeed haha, thankyou

[Tinka]

Re: Contemplation

Just like my wifes cats, point a camera at them and they look down and pose nonsulantly (spelling?), as if to say " Oh go on then, if you must".

[Matt Kneale]

Re: Contemplation

Exactly! I always imagine him like that whenever I photograph him.