Inspiring Photo: Garden Cat #11282394

Garden Cat [Contest Finalists December 2010]

Uploaded: December 27, 2010 12:59:25

Description

He melted my heart. It was love at first sight on my part...but not his. Try as I might, he wouldn't let me get close to him no matter how sweetly I coaxed...if only I had a sardine in my pocket... :) This little guy was found at the San Antonio Botanical Gardens happily playing among the many flower beds. Hopefully, he was a neighborhood cat enjoying the Gardens for the day just like us.

DD Entry - Topaz and Nik Filters applied.

Exif: F Number: 8, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 25/1000 seconds, Flash: did not fire., ISO: 200, White balance: Auto white balance, FocalLength: 105.00 mm, Model: NIKON D300

Comments

Gord MacEachern December 27, 2010 0

Hi Val, very sweet capture of this little guy. At least he posed for you.
Beautiful work as always!! #1338856

Robert R. Goodman December 27, 2010 0

Hi Valarie,LOL!My friend did you try and jingle car your car keys in front of him.Cats love shiny objects,Beautiful capture.Excellent detail and clarity!!!! #9126734

Tammy M. Anderson December 27, 2010 0

Wonderful composition and colors, Valarie. Picture perfect! #9126741

Patti Coblentz December 27, 2010 0

He is so sweet looking...I would love to have watched the two of you! He certainly posed nicely for you in the long run...his coat looks amazing and those eyes! Terrific capture, Val! #9126745

Gina Cormier December 27, 2010 0

Oh...stuffed cats are so lifelike nowadays!!!! He even looks like he's looking at you. Freaky!!!

Gorgeous capture and wonderful clarity and detail!!!! #9126757

Katarina Mansson December 27, 2010 0

Amazing cat and picture! #9126801

Maria A. Gonzalez December 27, 2010 0

Beautiful portrait of him,Val..Excellent pose and composition,the eyes are so incredible clear and amazing...Like your story,it makes for a nice imaginary picture of you trying to coax this cutie to interact with you..Cute story and and adorable portrait from your encounters with him.
Have a great day. #9126806

Melinda F. Schneider December 27, 2010 0

He's a beauty! I've always loved black cats... ALL black (and I love the chocolate highlights in his coat). #9126880

John Benway December 27, 2010 0

Fantastic shot Valarie, along with a perfect exposure.
John #9126940

Graham Robards December 27, 2010 0

Beautiful portrait Valarie. ~Pat #9126953

Monnie Ryan December 27, 2010 0

Love the black ones, Valarie -- this one's just beautiful! I'd have spent almost all my time here trying to get him to let me pet him! #9126979

Jillian Danielson December 27, 2010 0

Oh how cute he is!!!! #9127007

Marcie A. Fowler December 27, 2010 0

Beautiful. I have a black cat . . . used to have two but the 18-year-old passed away recently . . . and they are not easy to photograph . . .at least not for me. You did a wonderful job. #9127057

Ron McEwan December 27, 2010 0

The eyes have it. Beautiful capture Valarie.

You are right about the river Valarie, it would have been nice. I am always strapped for time or I probably would still be up there LOL #9127096

Joy Rector December 27, 2010 0

love this shot #9127178

Ellen Hodges December 27, 2010 0

Wonderful capture of this enchanting cat, Val!! Super excellent exposure, too!! Soooooo fantastic!! Glad to hear your Mom's good news! Yeah!!! #9127180

Ann Coates December 27, 2010 0

I'd be the same, trying to coax him for a pat. He looks too well looked after to be a stray. I figure you're right, he's just a frequent visitor. A stunning capture of this beautiful black cat with the most amazing eyes. #9127273

Freddy Bland December 27, 2010 0

Hi Val!! The fact that he sat and posed for you says that his judge of character is "right-on"!! Wonderful image that you've captured of this little black visitor, Val! I hope that in one of his next nine lives he realizes that you have made him famous!! lol :-) #9127377

Thomas E. Hinds December 27, 2010 0

Just a beautiful image, Val! What a real cutie he is! Great comp, detail, and color! I can see how he melted your heart. What a wonderful frame! #9127425

Karen Slagle December 27, 2010 0

Oh Val, what a gorgeous cat. I love cats and I hope this stray will be OK. I have a black stray that looks alot like this one that we feed. He's a tom and I fear the coyotes or horned owls will get him some night while he's prowling. #9127567

Richard B. Hallick December 27, 2010 0

Great job of holding so much detail in the rich black tones of the cat's fur. Love the eyes, too. #9127581

Tammy Espino December 27, 2010 0

A great capture!! I feed three wild cats around my home. Last night one was looking in the patio window like,
" Ok , time to eat, where's my food?" They all run from me too...Yours is so sweet looking!! :) #9127641

Kitty R. Rodehorst-Hanna December 28, 2010 0

BEAUTIFUL kitty cat, Val! At least you were able to capture it wonderfully well in your camera! :-) k #9127765

Leslie McLain December 28, 2010 0

Beautiful capture, Valerie. So sweet. #9127860

Patrick Rouzes December 28, 2010 0

Exceptional clarity, tones, detail, pose, & captivating eyes here, Valarie! To near perfection , my friend! Lovely-looking animal! WTG! #9127888

Terry Cervi December 28, 2010 0

He's a beauty, isn't he, Val! And very nicely caputured as well! #9128026

Hayden Cannon December 28, 2010 0

Wow what a shot Valarie, Fantastic colors, comp, lighting and details, superb shot! #9128090

Kathy Salerni December 28, 2010 0

Wowzie, Val, he is a cutie and a great model! You captured him beautifully with great clarity, POV, light and treatment!
Happy New Years to you and yours! #9128114

Dr Silly December 28, 2010 0

Wow, super portrait of this cat. :O) #9129074

Marty Straub December 28, 2010 0

Well, you certainly managed a beautiful capture of him with your camera, Valarie. What an excellent pose. You bring out all of the cool textures that you probably wanted to sink your face into, like the redish tint to his cuddly fur. The background, which might be too busy for many other creatures, is perfect for this guy. #9129166

Rona L. Schwarz December 29, 2010 0

Marvlous capture of this beautiful cat, Val! Love his eyes, so intense. You did a fabulous job capturing him - it is not easy to hold so much detail in the coat - I know from my sable burms - particularly with such a colorful background, which is wonderfully complementary BTW. He looks too well-fed to be a stray, and he certainly posed nicely for you. Love it! #9130007

JO ANN CLEVELAND December 30, 2010 0

What a beauty Val! Great job..beautiful cat..

jo ann c. #9131570

Nadia Paul December 30, 2010 0

Amazing detail in the black fur Val - I can see why your heart melted - he's gorgeous! #9131916

Julie Burnett January 01, 2011 0

Oh my, what a beauty, gorgeous capture and treatment, simply amazing, Val!! #9136750

Julianne Bradford January 04, 2011 0

So-o cute!! #9142754

Dianna Murphy January 10, 2011 0

What a beauty. Hopefully you're right and he has a home nearby. I found a Corgi in the road right before Christmas. Poor thing was sooooooo dirty and crusty that it took two weeks to get the smell out of my car and a whole bottle of shampoo to get him clean. We had to keep him over night until I could take him to a shelter. #9153983

Christine Lobsinger January 11, 2011 0

Wow Val~ Gorgeous Garden Kittie...
Love your story- and his beautiful shining black fur... love that you could show the details of the brown throughout him- awesome hightlights!
Happy New Year to you and yours~
Smiling Christine #9155756

Agnes Fegan January 19, 2011 0

Congratulations on your finalist Val...a really sweet capture and now he's famous! #9171306

Patti Coblentz January 19, 2011 0

Congratulations to you and the kitty that sat still for a moment..wonderful finalist, Val!! #9171314

Ann Coates January 19, 2011 0

You do black cats so well Valarie. Congratulations on your stunning finalist award. #9171427

Tammy Espino January 19, 2011 0

Congrats on your great finalist! :) #9171510

Nancy (Peaches) Harker January 19, 2011 0

WOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
HUGE CONGRATS on your finalist!
Best of luck in the next round!

Photobucket

#9171952

Kathy Salerni January 19, 2011 0

A big congrats on your beautiful finalist and best of luck in the next round, Val!! #9172039

Merna L. Nobile January 19, 2011 0

I can only imagine how proud you must be feeling right now. What wonderful news! CONGRATULATIONS, Merna #9172492

Bojan Bencic January 19, 2011 0

Congratulations on your finalist, Valarie. #9172600

Dr Silly January 19, 2011 0

Congratulations Valarie, on your Finalist. :O) #9172943

Sarah A. Christian January 19, 2011 0

Way to go, Val!!! Congratulations!!! #9173014

Robert R. Goodman January 19, 2011 0

A big Congratulations,Valarie.WTG my friend!!!! #9173170

Nancyj E. Hovey January 19, 2011 0

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S
on your very deserving FINALIST! 8o) #9173314

R. J. Laudenbacher January 19, 2011 0

WTG Valarie...Congrats on this well deserved finalist ! #9173622

Carol Eade January 19, 2011 0

Beautiful work, Valarie, congratulations on your finalist! #9173944

Christine Lobsinger January 19, 2011 0

Congrats to you Val- a lovely Finalist!
Smiling Chris #9173979

Patrick Rouzes January 19, 2011 0

Heyyyyyyyyyyy, Valarie! CONGRATULATIONS on this incredible finalist! WTG!
Hope you are feeling ok! #9174783

Gina Cormier January 19, 2011 0

CONGRATS ON THIS BEAUTY!! #9174929

Katarina Mansson January 19, 2011 0

Congratulations on your beautiful finalist and good luck next! #9174940

Richard B. Hallick January 19, 2011 0

Congratulations on this beautiful finalist. Good luck in the next round. #9175098

Tammy M. Anderson January 19, 2011 0

Congrats on your fabulous finalist, Valarie. #9175930

Marilyn Cornwell January 19, 2011 0

A beautiful portrait and story, Valarie! Congratulations on this finalist! #9176295

Terry Cervi January 19, 2011 0

Hope this is making your arm feel a little bit better, Val! Congrats to you on a wonderful finalist my friend! #9176432

Ellen Hodges January 19, 2011 0

Huge Congrats and best luck on this absolutey gorgeous finalist, Val!! #9176539

Ron McEwan January 19, 2011 0

Big congratulations Valarie WTG #9176698

Rona L. Schwarz January 19, 2011 0

This should brighten your day and make your arm feel somewhat better, Val! How great to see this wonderful Botanical Garden cat again! CONGRATULATIONS on your superb FINALIST and Good luck in the next round! #9176716

Freddy Bland January 19, 2011 0

Goshhh...Val...it took me 10 mins to get to the bottom of this list!!! Many congratulations to you on this spectacular Finalist!!!!! #9176971

Phyllis H. Burchett January 20, 2011 0

Congrats on this wonderful finalist Valarie! #9177676

Debra R. Harder January 20, 2011 0

Love those eyes, Val!! Huge congratulations on your beautiful finalist!! Deb #9177845

Val Feldman January 20, 2011 0

You guys melt my heart, along with this kitty, too...Thanks so much for your kind congrats. Going to have a 10-12 week recovery period, so the ortho doc said today but I'm hoping to be "back in the saddle" before that...Fingers crossed! :) Thanks again...and take care! ~Val #9178060

Lana Arcemont January 20, 2011 0

Valarie,a beautiful portrait!
Congrations! #9178174

Carol L. Fowler January 20, 2011 0

Congrats on this FInalist! #9178251

Nadia Paul January 20, 2011 0

Congrats on your wonderful finalist Val! #9178536

Gord MacEachern January 20, 2011 0

Big congratulations on your well deserved finalists Val!!
Good luck next round!! #9181229

Chris Budny January 20, 2011 0

Beautifully done, Valerie... those eyes are so intense! Congratulations! #9181480

Thomas E. Hinds January 21, 2011 0

Terrific Finalist, Val! Great work!! #9181621

Leslie McLain January 21, 2011 0

Adorable capture. Congrats on your terriic finalist, Valarie. #9181753

Karen Slagle January 21, 2011 0

Congrats on this black beauty and his finalist selection, no surprise as the composition and details are incredible...I would love to see it win, Valarie. #9181893

Joannie Bertucci January 21, 2011 0

WTG Valarie! Beautiful image and so deserving of the finalist badge! #9183243

Sam Britt January 22, 2011 0

Such a cute kitty! Congratulations on your finalists, Val. #9185525

Julie Burnett January 23, 2011 0

Congrats Miss V on this gorgeous finalist, love that fur!! I hope to see it continue on, good luck, and rest up!! #9186691

Patricia A. Casey January 31, 2014 0

Howdy Val....it's been ages, I know....but when I saw the subject in today's bp snapshot section I just had to look....my heart belongs to kitties....all of them...not to say I don't love other critters too, but I'm a cat person. So glad to see the "oldies but goodies" here....all the best to you...hope to get back to bp one of these days....hugs =^.^= #10960856

To discuss, first log in or sign up (buttons are at top center of page).

Get Constructive Critiques

Did You Know?

Discussions by Category: You can view photo discussions on various themes in the Community > Photo Discussions section of the site.

BetterPhoto Websites: If you see an orange website link directly under the photographer's name, it's totally okay. It's not spam. The reason: BetterPhoto is the one that offers these personal photography websites. We are supporting our clients with those links.

Unavailable EXIF: If there is no other information but 'Unavailable' in the EXIF (meaning no EXIF data exists with the photo), the 'Unavailable' blurb is not displayed. If there is any info, it shows. Many photos have the EXIF stripped out when people modify the image and resave it, before uploading.

The following truth is one of the core philosophies of BetterPhoto:

I hear, I forget.
I see, I remember.
I do, I understand.

You learn by doing. Take your next online photography class.

You & 8

Love It!

Copyright for this photo belongs solely to Val Feldman.
Images may not be copied, downloaded, or used in any way without the expressed, written permission of the photographer. Contact photographer via gallery
Log in to follow or message this photographer or report this photo.

My Profile

My Photo Shows

My Photos

My BetterPholio

My Courses

Description

Comments

Get Constructive Critiques

Did You Know?