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Canon Image Challenge | all galleries >> Challenges From The Past >> 2011 Challenges >> CIC36 - And suddenly I saw ... Hosted by K >> Eligible > the unlikely
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12-MAR-2011 shu

the unlikely

...are you kidding? this cat would NEVER
jump up and stand over ed as he lay sleeping.
i made this image for ed yesterday and he
had a good laugh.

Canon PowerShot G9
1/320s f/4.0 at 25.0mm iso400 full exif

other sizes: small medium original auto
comment
Canon Image Challenge15-Mar-2011 06:47
It's in Pending now Shu. Cheers, Michael
Michael Kilpatrick14-Mar-2011 20:45
OK Shu. I'm off to work now, so it will be another 12 hours or so before it's done. Regards, Michael
Canon Image Challenge14-Mar-2011 12:29
wonderful! i have to go to work now, but will check pending later! thanks so much guys! shu
Michael Kilpatrick14-Mar-2011 08:58
Paul has already said pretty much what I would have said Shu.
To ilustrate, would it be OK if I have a shot at what I'm talking about and post it in Pending? Regards, Michael
Canon Image Challenge14-Mar-2011 03:48
I try to think what would it look like if the cat was actually sitting there. If he were sitting on the blanket it would naturally be depressed from his body weight. As it is now the blanket shows the natural fall or contour of Ed's body under the blanket and the cat looks like he is just floating in space next to him. If the cat was sitting there it would look different because he would disturb the natural fall of the blanket.

Since you have done a excellent job with the light angles on both the cat and Ed there would be a natural shadow falling from the cat. At first glance this is revision much better but still needs some work to make it look more realistic.

You can create a shadow using the burn tool. Don't give up, I really want to see you succeed. Paul
Canon Image Challenge14-Mar-2011 00:16
this may be getting too legenthy, but just what is "weight effect?" does that mean an indentation in the blanket beneath simpson? i would love it if you would clarify all three sugestions you've made for improvement of the image...in fact, i believe your interest in this to be a real bonus! thanks. shu
Michael Kilpatrick13-Mar-2011 22:42
Hi Shu. Maybe you could try the Liquify Tool to simulate the weight effect.
For me, the other aspects that don't quite look natural are a line on Simpson's lower left edge and the highlights under him/her. Regards, Michael
Canon Image Challenge13-Mar-2011 17:11
ps: posted the two out of camera inspiration shots in pending if anyone is interested. shu
Canon Image Challenge13-Mar-2011 16:46
thanks! i cropped and changed the lighting (added bright highlight on ed's nose and cheek to emphasize the bright light from the window. i also took highlights off simpson's back and blended the whole thing. great lesson! thanks again....i respect your keen observations. shu

ps: ed loves this cat and always wanted simpson to "come up" and be close, so i made his wish come true.
Canon Image Challenge13-Mar-2011 15:01
Agree with Paul - the weight effect is slightly missing and I also would expect some shadow behind the cat on the blanket. Nice idea
K
Canon Image Challenge13-Mar-2011 14:54
Love the concept shu, the only minor issues I see with it are a touch too much burn on the front fur and the kitty doesn't show any weight depression or shadowing on Ed's blankie!! Other than disguising his left side on the blanket I'm not sure how you would create the weight effect. I know I'm not good enough in Photoshop to achieve that. Paul
Canon Image Challenge13-Mar-2011 14:31
this is all done digitally. i tried desat, dodging, burning, blend modes, painting and of course blending the two iimages. any comments on the lighting will be appreciated. eyeballing it, it looked fine to me. but then, you guys can help me w my "blind spots." thanks, shu