On Monday May 14th, 2012 I visited the Wake County Animal shelter along with a few other classmates, as well as our teacher, to get more comfortable with the animals and using our cameras at the shelter. While at the shelter I experimented with photographing the cats as well as dogs. My friend Brittany and I decided to work as a team, this made our time at the shelter more effective and enjoyable. Having another person to enter the dog cages with you or to hold a wiggly kitten while you try to capture their personalities in one shot is very helpful, and reassuring. Last week while at the shelter there was a dog I saw, Sinatra, who caught my eye right off the bat. When returning to the shelter yesterday I decided that I wanted to get the chance to interact with this dog, and help to find him a new home. Thankfully, after searching through each dog area, I was informed that Sinatra had in fact been adopted which made me so happy.
After looking through the animals posted on the Wake County Shelter site, I felt that this one was very eye catching. It has plenty of potential to be a picture that fits the personality of the cat being photographed.
Photo Courtesy of Wake County Animal Center
Photo retrieved on May 15, 2012
This picture could be a picture that helps the cat to get adopted if there were just a few corrections made. The pros of this picture is that your attention is drawn to the cat (the focus) and the background of the image is not what you are first drawn to. In order to improve this photograph, and make it more visually appealing, one could adjust the highlights, and even insert a dodge layer. By adjusting the highlights of the photo it would also help to adjust the shadows, making this photo more visually appealing and not seem to be as washed out. The shadows and darkness (Dodge Layer) around the photo could help to draw your eye back to the cat (which is the focus of this photo).
This is a photo I took at the animal shelter on Monday May 14th. This photo is a reflection of our class so far because of the catch lights in the eyes that I adjusted, the shadows and darkness around the edge of the photo (Dodge layer) using photoshop. The focus of this picture is the cat, which is important because it draws your eye away from what is going on in the background and directs you to deciding if you feel that the pet in the picture is adoptable (in a personal opinion) or not.
Brittany, I agree that working as a team is quite helpful and I am glad we were able to work together! The adjustments you made to the picture you took on Monday are great! For example, I can definitely see the catch lights in the kitten's eyes. My attention was immediately drawn to the face and did not even notice the background (which is important). Your picture makes this kitten look adoptable. For example, the kitten is not backed into a corner and looking scared.
ReplyDeleteYes, this photo is an improvement. I am glad you are applying your new skills. One area for improvement in the future, try to get the ears in the image as well. I know it is tough to get everything right, and your image makes this kitten much more adoptable. However, more of the ears will make this baby even more irresistible!
ReplyDeleteBrittany your picture of the kitten is so cute! I like how you used your doge and burn tool one the catch lights in is eyes and the position of the kitten, he doesn't look scared. I would suggest also to have more of the ears showing and maybe to brighten your image just a little more so he stands out a little more. But he looks so cute and adoptable!
ReplyDeleteI agree with what was said above, that it is defiant'y very helpful to be at the shelter with someone. Brittany, I think you did a great job capturing this picture of this adorable cat. The catch lights in eyes and the position of the animal, makes it so the cat doesn't seem scared and miserable. Again Brittany, Great Job adorable and ADOPTABLE!
ReplyDeleteBrittany, I found working is a team was extremely helpful. Sometimes it is easier to have an extra set of hands especially since we have our two hands occupied with the camera!
ReplyDeleteI liked that you captured this kittens personality! He seems curious and interested just like a kitten should be! Your picture is an improvement because his face isn't washed out. In your picture you can see his pretty colors!