Cat in Motion

Well, I like it even if no one else does. Maybe because the nice kitty

came to play with me right after this?

Hi Les,

So I don't like being the bad guy here but....  It's ok to have a snapshot that's meaningful to you because of the personal context.  We all have them.  However, just because you press the button on the camera does not mean it's worth sharing.  There is nothing about this image that would be worthy of requesting a critique other than to be an example to everyone for what NOT to do. Photography is a combination of timing, skill, craft, and art; none of which are being displayed here.  Being able to distinguish a good photo from a bad one is also a valuable skill that we all must work on. I am not trying to be hurtful, but i think you know and even admitted it in your comment, that this should have been kept to yourself.

--PatrickD

Patrick Day: Good heavens, what have I done to you to deserve such sophomoric condescension? Critique is fine. Telling me what photography is--at least in your not-so-humble-opinion--is not. For someone who has never heard of Manuel Alvarez Bravo, you do have some very definite ideas about the medium.

"Photography is a combination of timing, skill, craft, and art; none of which are being displayed here." Wrong. An instant before, and it would be nothing but another boring, sharp cat image; an instant later, and you couldn't tell it's a cat. "Art" is a slippery term. We all know what it is, but no two of us can agree on that definition.

"Being able to distinguish a good photo from a bad one is also a valuable skill that we all must work on." And you not least of all. Sharp is not a requirement.

Hi Les,

You know what?  I think you are right and I apologize for questioning your artistic integrity. That truly was inappropriate as *art* can be completely subjective. I am a student of this craft as are we all and my critique was harsh and perhaps narrow minded.  There are, i am sure, thousands of master photographers that I have yet discovered and frankly I hope I spend the rest of my life "discovering" more on a daily basis.  I try to be objective, especially with my own imagery by soliciting constructive criticism however painful it may seem and do my best to be positive while offering observations.  Please, and i say this without any sarcasm or malice, explain why you feel this is a good image. I am open to expanding my understanding.

--PatrickD 

Thank you for your apology; it is appreciated. No one can tell why their own image is good, bad or indifferent. On this one, all I will say is that in this age of gearheads, we are used to bright, clear pictures, mostly of cats and brick walls. This is the antithesis of those.

Les - hope you will be back.