DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register) 
 
Challenge Entries
Portfolio Images
After the Party
2nd PlaceAfter the Party
vawendy


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Celebration III (Advanced Editing VII)
Collection: 2012 Challenge shots
Camera: Canon EOS-7D
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0 L IS
Date: Jan 6, 2013
Aperture: 5.6
ISO: 320
Shutter: 1/30
Date Uploaded: Jan 6, 2013

 [Jan. 13th, 2013 10:45:08 PM]

Second to the last day to shoot, and I suddenly have a wonderful idea!!

An awesome idea!!

It would be poster worthy and sell millions!! And be the hardest thing I've ever had to shoot...

But it would be so great!

My cat, with a party hat, and one of those smoked fish (with the head still on, of course) on a plate in front of the cat. The cat looking straight at the camera. Black and white, of course.

Yeah, right. Like I could get the cat to wear a party hat, much less sit still, if there's something smelly, wonderful in front of it.

First of all -- it can't be moriarty. He would be impossible for this shot. It had to be Cinders.

So I go to the store -- no fish with heads!

There's still one more day.

Next day, another grocery store, there's a fish with a head! And it's huge!!! It would take up two plates, and it's way too expensive.

Nope.

Do sardines still come with heads?

2 pkgs of sardines later...

Cat is asleep on the couch. I make a party hat, and am trying to just kind of lay the party hat on her, thinking that if she's kind of asleep, maybe she'll start getting used to it.



well -- it doesn't seem to bother her, but we've got a long way to go here to get her sitting and have it on her head.

She flops over on her back -- maybe I can just have the hat next to her?



Then it doesn't even look like a party hat...

She rolls on her side, her paws tucked together, oh so cutely, and then I realize -- she's passed out cold after celebrating!! Luckily Jeff had an empty beer bottle (he was disappointed that he didn't have to drain a new one) and he tucked it in under her paws. She didn't eve wake up. When she did, she hugged it a little closer, sniffed it twice and fell back asleep.

Thanks for all the great comments!!



[Jan. 13th, 2013 10:46:27 PM]

By the way -- anyone want two packs of sardines? (and do they have their heads?)

In answer to Garry's question:

As far as the lighting goes -- I have a large set of windows that was creating some really nice light, but since they face north, it wasn't nearly enough, so I brought in my flash and a soft box and positioned it so that it just added to the light that was already there. (See, I can do lighting if I just copy what's there! :)

The shot came out like this:



It was one of those shots that the lighting looked more intense that it appeared in the camera. I could already get it to this simply in the RAW processor,



but I have fallen in love with color efex pro, so I didn't bother working in RAW. I went to CEP. There wasn't much done. I did some color range adjustment just to make the bottle a little greener, and I did a graduated neutral density filter on the back of the couch and a little on the front to bring those down a bit. I could have done it with curves and a gradient mask, as well, but I like working in CEP. :)

Statistics
Place: 2 out of 46
Avg (all users): 7.0940
Avg (commenters): 8.0000
Avg (participants): 7.1000
Avg (non-participants): 7.0920
Views since voting: 3709
Views during voting: 220
Votes: 117
Comments: 38
Favorites: 5 (view)

Please log in or register to add your comments!

AuthorThread
Nikon D90
Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED VR
 01/18/2013 01:53:40 PM
Where is my congratulations post??? I know I done it... I don't think I'm that crazy, .... Who delated it?? OOOOOOO the CAT done it.... Thats who gets the blame around here~
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II
Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro
01/16/2013 01:16:46 PM
Ha, love it and love the story behind it :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D750
Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5 ED-IF
 01/16/2013 12:45:48 PM
Wonderful (photo & cat!)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-5D Mark III
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L II
 01/15/2013 10:39:58 AM
Very sweet shot Wendy, congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Sony Alpha a7 IV
Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS
 01/15/2013 09:29:59 AM
Can't go wrong with classic drunken kitty, nicely done congratulations
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro
 01/15/2013 06:06:12 AM
Congrats on the ribbon.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D750
Nikon AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f2.8D
 01/14/2013 02:27:35 PM
love the shot and story.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Olympus OM-D E-M1
Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro
01/14/2013 12:09:35 PM
OMG, what a sweet story! The picture is precious. I cannot believe that the cat didn't wake up. My cat would have been outta there!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Sony SLT-A57
Sony DT 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 SAM
01/14/2013 11:43:18 AM
Originally posted by gcoulson:
Hey Wendy, could you please leave a note on how you lit this and processed it? Would love to know how you got the background perfectly black like that.


Perfectly black background? I see a gold coloured fabric (cushion probably?)

Maybe my brightness is up a bit more than yours Garry...

Anyway, just wanted to say congrats - a great shot, very funny, and deserving of a ribbon.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-7D
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II
 01/14/2013 10:35:03 AM
Hey Wendy, could you please leave a note on how you lit this and processed it? Would love to know how you got the background perfectly black like that.

Message edited by author 2013-01-14 10:36:16.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Sony Alpha a7 II
Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 24-70mm f/4 ZA OSS
 01/14/2013 09:13:16 AM
Congratulations, Wendy, wonderful light, and thanks for the back story!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Sony Alpha a7 IV
Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM
 01/14/2013 08:52:00 AM
This was my favorite Wendy.

I agree with Oliver, a poster worthy :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon Z6II
Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S
 01/14/2013 08:30:55 AM
Knew it was you, another great shot... and so funny. Love the light on the cat, beautiful. Congrats on your red.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT
Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
 01/14/2013 08:30:30 AM
REALLY LOVE THIS XOX
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D500
Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM
 01/14/2013 04:04:36 AM
Good one. Congrats
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Ricoh GR III
Pentax DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6ED AL [IF] WR DC
 01/14/2013 02:21:58 AM
Oh that Wendy!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Sony DSLR-A100
Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical ED
 01/14/2013 01:34:54 AM
congratulations!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-80D
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
 01/14/2013 01:26:41 AM
Congratulations Wendy ... what a shot :-).
Re the sardines ... aren't they good for hangovers? ... I think Cinders needs them ;-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-5D Mark IV
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS
 01/14/2013 01:23:40 AM
Definitely the best (and poster worthy).
should have known it was yours and voted lower :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D7000
Nikon AF-S DX 18-105 f/3.5-5.6 ED VR
 01/14/2013 12:57:10 AM
Congratulations, Wendy! This image is just so funny - and cute, and beautiful. I love your notes as much as your photos (that says a lot for your notes!)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon PowerShot SX60 HS
 01/14/2013 12:17:57 AM
Yup, this is a good one!
Fun story too.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III
Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO
 01/14/2013 12:04:19 AM
Once again, why am I not surprised?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
Fujifilm x100
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
 01/13/2013 11:35:41 PM
I don't miss Yuengling.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon Canon 1d x Mark II
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 FG HSM Art
 01/13/2013 10:30:39 PM
I'm calling the RSPCA ;--------)

See you on the front page, in the first spot~
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D750
Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-70mm f/2.8D
 01/13/2013 10:05:03 PM
One life gone. Eight to go.. or did he lose count.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-40D
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II
 01/13/2013 09:17:04 PM
7 for getting a cat drunk
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Google Glass Google Glass
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L USM
 01/13/2013 09:10:35 PM
Happy kitty...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon Z7II
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED
 01/13/2013 08:43:29 PM
Lol, hilarious; love it. (voted earlier)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Fujifilm X30
Custom Made Pinhole
 01/13/2013 03:03:59 PM
Cool
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Sony DSLR-A100
Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical ED
 01/13/2013 01:12:07 AM
cute!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-50D
 01/11/2013 06:07:59 PM
Looks like he or she had a great time
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D90
Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED VR
 01/11/2013 01:19:11 AM
ROFLMAO Super!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Kodak Easyshare C180
Canon EF 50mm f1.2 L
 01/11/2013 12:51:12 AM
This has to be a ribbon winning shot :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D810
 01/10/2013 12:50:20 PM
That's way too funny :) Nice textures too.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D7000
Nikon AF-S DX 18-105 f/3.5-5.6 ED VR
 01/08/2013 08:36:49 PM
I love the photo, love the humour. Top 3.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon Z8
Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.4
 01/08/2013 08:43:09 AM
Great great great!! Blue o red, i'm sure!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-5D Mark II
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0 L IS
 01/07/2013 06:59:16 AM
Love it!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-5D Mark IV
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS
 01/07/2013 04:00:38 AM
Love it. Cats are always good for having some fun :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Theme: Classic / Light / Dark
Home - Challenges - Community - League - Photos - Cameras - Lenses - Learn - Help - Terms of Use - Privacy - Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2026 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 10/14/2026 03:42:03 PM EDT.