Macro shot of a cats eye. Please critique

[kodack]

I shot this with the Canon 50mm 1.8 and a 4mm macro ring. I had trouble getting my subject to hold still. This was the best shot of the bunch so I put the most time into polishing it up.

Please critique.

http://www.pbase.com/image/29044167

located in my Just In folder

[w_d_p]

Hi Michael,

Pretty cat, good focus, and nice detail in the fur, but since the eye is the focal point of the picture I think it would be much more interesting-- and more effective-- if something specific, identifiable to the viewer, and relevant from the cat's point of view were reflected in the pupil. As it is, I'm left wondering what it is I'm supposed to be seeing.

That aside, you did a good job with a difficult subject, and I enjoyed the picture-- thanks for sharing it.

Best wishes,

Shoshanna Moser
http://www.pbase.com/w_d_p/shoshanna

[kodack]

If I changed the reflection, it would have to be in photoshop. I'm afraid it's beyond my skill to get that kind of shot at the moment. Thanks for the feedback. I'll consider it on my next try.

[fastuno]

I pretty much feel the same way. The overall picture is great, it's just the reflection that is bothering me.

Here is an eye that I took, there are problems with mine too! I don't think they are that easy to take!

[bish0p]

Good composition, good focus, great detail. The reflection however does take away much of the ummph of the shot. LIke a good chrome shot highly reflective surfaces like eyes can be difficult to get without your reflection.

James

[kodack]

Okay I did some dodge and burn work in CS to occlude the reflection but keep the highlights in the eye. The new image is up.

[bish0p]

It is a much better photo with the reflection removed from the eye...

James

[kodack]

I just wish I could nail something like this on the fly and on the CCD. Cat's are so ADD it's hard to get them to sit still. This shot had me sitting on a chair bent in half with my camera in one hand, my flash in the other, and a toy mouse dangling from the bottom of the flash. My AF is useless with the macro rings and the DOF is so shallow that I focused the image only by moving my head (and the camera) closer or farther from the subject. Hard to do while the cat is constantly moving, looking, and trying to keep the flash aimed for the right kind of bounce lighting.

I'm getting a little better at managing it though. Thanks again for the advice.

It is a much better photo with the reflection removed from the eye...

James