COMPOSITION In my opinion, you've followed every important rule about capturing a portrait shot: you're tight on your subject, you've filled the frame, you've got great detail in the eyes, and the shot is extremely attractive and eye-catching. Oh yes, and it's a cat! Pet shots are tough, I know I struggle with them myself. Whatever you used to distract his attention worked great. Many cat shots capture that lazy, "why are you bothering me" look. This animal is so attentive - ears up, eyes wide, head cocked at an upward angle - that it adds an element of intrigue. And I love the flat black background. Meets the high contrast challenge perfectly, IMO.
TECHNIQUE I can't find anything to suggest as a technical improvement. In addition to what I've already commented on re: composition, your lighting appears to be spot on. The highlights on the right nose (cat's left) are blown, but I like the pushed effect since it adds to the photo's contrasty feel. Some of your commenters mentioned the clipped ear, but I feel that this was a necessary compromise to achieve the tight shot of the face, and I fully agree with the way you've cropped. It's perfect IMO.
OVERALL IMPACT As your score indicates, and I fully agree, this is a shot that has impact. It catches the attention and draws the viewer in because there is personality evident. It's a wonderful pet shot and you should be proud to display it.
All together now, 'Aaah!'
Cracking shot. Like the composition, the focus, and the tonal range. Lovely detail in the eyes.
How could you refuse a face like that? 10.
Well now... here is a cat portrait worthy of this challenge. I love cats but don't always love the portraits that end up in these challenges. But this one is different. Good job!
I'll be the first to admit that I'm usually not crazy about cat shots, but this image has some solid merit to it. Great composition and crop to really emphasize the eyes. Good focus too. I do think that the highlights are a bit blown in spots and could manage to be just as "high contrast" against the black shadows without being blown. Other than that - really nice job.
Fit Challenge Criteria: 2/2
Color/Contrast: 2/2
Composition: 2/2
Photo Quality: 2/2
My Subjective Affinity: 2/2
Great work on this photo. This is the best high contrast photo I've seen yet. Not quite blown out highlights, and dark shadows with some detail still. And excellent focus and composition and good use of DOF also.
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