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tanguera


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Not The Five Senses (Basic Editing)
Collection: 2011
Camera: Nikon D700
Lens: Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR
Location: Hollywood Hills, CA
Date: Jul 24, 2011
Galleries: Humorous, Portraiture
Date Uploaded: Jul 25, 2011

 Models: Gren Wells and Modi

I had originally entered Eddie , (another friend's pet) in 5 senses, and was happy. Then I did this shoot and couldn't resist. Gren is a gorgeous redhead (but the crop seemed to fit the mood I was going for), and got the ringmaster outfit just for the shoot. Modi is a Savannah and is HUGE. I fell in love with him and his smile :-)

This is actually my first cat portrait, even though I am a cat fanatic. I knew that of all the pets I would be photographing, cats would likely be the toughest. I knew that I would not be able to use strobes (contrary to Gren's reassurances), because most cats would completely freak out, and would then go into hiding, putting a prompt end to the shoot. So I shot with continuous light (I used 3 heads for the first time - up from 2), and turned the room into a sauna.

I also knew I had a brief window of opportunity to capture everything I wanted before the cat would simply refuse to do anything at all. However, I did not anticipate that Modi would freak about about the camera itself. He avoided it very carefully, despite all the toys we waved at him. We finally did get several fabulous shots (this being one of them), by coaxing him into place with snacks of baby mice and baby chicks. I've spared you the gory details.

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[Jul. 27th, 2011 12:02:35 PM]

A note about the lighting. I saw the harsh shadows when setting up (this was one of the first shots of the session). I was about to fix them but decided I loved the look, and added to the "circus"/performance effect I was going for. The hand motion is both a flaw and a quirk I can justify as part of the storytelling that got the cat to "laugh"

[Jul. 27th, 2011 12:06:49 PM]

Also, I really felt this would score well, but after rollover and an initial 7, it plummeted to 5.8 before I gave up in disgust. Woke up to a 6.8 this morning, and am now at 6.9, so the world is a better place :-)

[Jul. 31st, 2011 12:54:27 AM]

I am SO enjoying all your comments!!! And here I am, sitting on a 6.9. Will it go to 7...?????

[post-challenge]
Thank you all SO much for such an avalanche of comments and fabulous votes. The blur, in case you haven't figured it out, is because I had to use continuous light. Even with a relatively high ISO, it was not enough to freeze motion.

Statistics
Place: 4 out of 62
Avg (all users): 6.8442
Avg (commenters): 8.1000
Avg (participants): 6.4242
Avg (non-participants): 6.9587
Views since voting: 2809
Views during voting: 379
Votes: 154
Comments: 43
Favorites: 10 (view)

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AuthorThread
 08/09/2011 07:30:29 PM
I'm about 5 challenges behind on my congrats, and I'm trying to catch up.

I love this shot!!!! What a hoot!!! Congrats on the HM!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/04/2011 07:55:07 PM
Mice and chicks!? Ewww...

CONGRATS on your fun finish, Johannah! !
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/04/2011 04:43:29 PM
WOW congrats on the great finish! good luck with you new team in the wpl... :P
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/04/2011 11:39:15 AM
The quirkiness of this just puts it over the top for me. Even with a 4th place, you were robbed.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/04/2011 03:40:10 AM
Congrats, Johanna, on the HM. I really thought this will be the winner!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/03/2011 08:34:25 PM
Really. I should have known. Who else could pull this off? Or would even try?

Excellent.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/03/2011 07:56:02 PM
Sorry to say that I did not get a chance to vote on this challenge and just now seeing this. I love it! I wish I could come up with that kind of vision. Congrats.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/03/2011 02:10:42 PM
I should have guessed who this would be - I just love this shot.

I wanted it to finish strongly and I guess top 5 isn't to be sniffed at - but it would have been nice to see it even higher :- )
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/03/2011 11:57:55 AM
LOL. One of the best ever. I wish my mind worked this way..... ;-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/03/2011 08:40:42 AM
omg i thought I commented on this and then i don't see it. ahh shoot i gave it an 8 and i didn't do enough voting so I think you lost it :(

I just love this! That cat is a winner. What a fun shot Johanna! And congrats on 5th place :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/03/2011 03:07:19 AM
Wow! I am happy that between two trains I stopped to see this challenge! After the voting ..... But at this point who cares about placement! You got here a one of a kind shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/03/2011 01:50:14 AM
Oh my Tanguera! This is very very good... Love it! :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/03/2011 01:47:06 AM
Big laugh. Thanks.

Message edited by author 2011-08-03 16:27:22.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/03/2011 01:43:11 AM
Awesome work, Johanna! Beautiful lighting and interesting subject!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/03/2011 01:25:47 AM
Well look at that! Congrats on the little star thingie!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/03/2011 01:20:47 AM
Love it Johanna, didn't vote in this one but if I did this would have gotten top marks.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/03/2011 12:59:46 AM
Really great creativity here Johanna. Congratulations on your 5th place finish.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/03/2011 12:17:08 AM
I had no idea this was yours. Excellent work! Congrats on the H.M.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/03/2011 12:08:26 AM
No surprise. Got a nice high vote from me. Yer gettin' good!

Message edited by author 2011-08-03 00:21:59.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
08/02/2011 09:58:35 PM
lol
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/02/2011 09:45:30 PM
love it!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/02/2011 12:36:28 PM
Ha!! I hope she gets what she wants!! Nicely staged - and even the kitty is laughing!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/01/2011 04:29:41 PM
This is hilarious. Nice idea and execution!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/01/2011 03:55:12 PM
That cat. Love this.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/30/2011 09:10:45 PM
I love it. The yawning cat, the motion with the hand, the strong contrast. Clever. :D
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/30/2011 08:13:13 PM
LOL...brilliant and quirky 8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/30/2011 12:23:18 PM
Good lighting and compostion... what's with the movement in the ladies right hand with everything else in focus and frozen? GREAT expression on cat!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/30/2011 10:11:26 AM
such a weird one this! nice composition, very surreal image and almost plastic like.. uneven painting along skirting board and the models blurry fingers keep drawing my eye making this score a little lower than i would have normally, tho an 8 from me!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/30/2011 03:12:44 AM
good framing cool shelf nice idea neat cat (and the whip ain't too bad either) - 8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/29/2011 10:20:09 PM
A likely winner
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/29/2011 03:15:33 PM
I enjoy the costume and the cat's expression. Lion tamer.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/29/2011 01:42:13 PM
Excellent shot - it would be nice to see this finish strongly.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/29/2011 09:59:00 AM
Super funny picture :D
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/29/2011 05:25:04 AM
Haha very cool
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/29/2011 02:45:59 AM
big fat 10 from me. :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/28/2011 07:29:27 PM
This was my only 10 for the challenge as it really appeals to me. The composition is great but it’s the cat’s expression that really appeals to me. The shadows work well for me too. It’s a pity her right hand has slight motion blur but I doubt you could redo the shot and get the cat to give that look again. Well done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/28/2011 01:38:54 PM
Very funny and original. Nicely executed. Light may be a bit harsh for my taste but it goes down as a shot to remember for me
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/28/2011 01:18:14 AM
This is priceless.. love it!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/27/2011 08:07:48 PM
I've given this a 7... It's brilliant! But... the shadows... too harsh... *sigh*

I love the crop... and the cat's meow is... well... the "cat's meow"... but those shadows... *sigh*
A 9 or 10 with better lighting.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/27/2011 03:47:30 PM
Naughty! (and harsh shadow, and bad trim work. )
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/27/2011 10:45:04 AM
nice! maybe a softer light (umbrella) or some fill from the right.
the girl is moving her right arm, i would prefer still. i give it a 9.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/27/2011 09:20:03 AM
ROFL That is just hilarious. I'd love it in BW!! :) 7
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/27/2011 08:45:44 AM
I like this image 7.
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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