Cat Photo Competition 1 2019 : Results

  • Competition Winner : First Prize
  • $609.20
  • Judges Comment
  • This amazing image was an immediate favorite, and - truly - the top three images of this month's Cat Competition made it difficult to choose the ultimate 'winner' ... they are all so strong and so captivating. The depth achieved in the deep blacks and the contrast with the brighter whites, firmly frame this feline, capturing the viewer's eye with both the contrast and the variance in texture, from the soft foliage to the sharp focus on this gorgeous cat's face and whiskers. Wonderful capture, framing and editing. Congrats! ~ illona
  • Photographers Comment
  • Thank you so much!! My name is Sabine and I'm a professional cat photographer living in Graz, Austria. The photo shows one of my rescued cats, Odean while he's sitting under the big leaves of a pumpkin plant. To be honest: it took me quite some time to attract him to sit in there the way I pictured the final image. ;) I used a Nikon D750 and the Sigma Art 35mm lens.
  • www.fallend.at
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • This wonderful image was an immediate favorite, and - truly - the top three images of this month's Cat Competition made it difficult to choose the ultimate 'winner' ... they are all so strong and so captivating. The stride of this cat is so perfectly captured; the curve of the tail and the intense stare draw us in; and the shallow depth of field allows the viewer's eye to fall unwaveringly on this stunning cat. Beautifully captured and managed in post! ~ illona
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • This compelling image was an immediate favorite, and - truly - the top three images of this month's Cat Competition made it difficult to choose the ultimate 'winner' ... they are all so strong and so captivating. The framing of this image - cutting the cat's face in half so that it is peeking into the frame - is perfection. Nicely done and wonderful photo! ~ illona
  • Photographers Comment
  • Congratulations to the winner on a great image! Thank you so much for the Mark of Excellence! My name is Greg Tambini and I reside in Newark, New Jersey. This is Cleo, who is one of my 17 rescue cats. The photo was shot with a Canon 7D using natural window light and no post production except for cropping. Thank you again : )
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • This is such an intriguing, simple image that is complex at the same time. The viewer is almost caught up in an Escher-like moment, wondering how the layers work. The mono-tonal layered walls, leading us to the brilliant blast of bright greens, draw us in to this cat's direct stare ... so perfectly framed in the opening, and in the frame of the photo. Nicely done! ~ illona
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • This is such a simple yet strong image. The framing of the cat in the "V" of the two distance mountains (?) and the strong right-hand framing allow the viewer's eye to firmly land on this cat. I do find that the crop at the bottom is a bit tight, and wonder about seeing a little more of what the cat is sitting on. But otherwise, this is a wonderful image. ~ illona
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • This is a lovely, story-telling image, and the choice to convert to black-and-white keeps the elements simple so that we can focus on the waiting cat and the fisherman. My only suggestion is that you straighten the image. The distance shoreline and the dock are essentially parallel and having them straightened would keep the overall image cleaner and allow the viewer to be even more engaged with the subjects. ~ illona
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • The varying but subtle elements in this image lead to a very story-telling quality with this photo ... the 'conversation' between these two cats and the rainy day beyond their outdoor perch. Wonderful framing and edit to black-and-white. ~ illona
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • This is a fabulous image which is probably equally as wonderful in color. The extremely shallow depth of field lends to the over softness and peacefulness captured of this moment. Very nicely done. ~ illona
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • This is a lovely image, capturing a quiet moment between these two tabbies. Their brown fur and markings stand out brilliantly in this yellow armchair, and the soft tones lend to the peacefulness of the overall image. Nicely done. ~ illona
  • Photographers Comment
  • Congrats to the winner! This photo was taken during holiday in Aramo, Italy 2018 visit: www.tuscanyspirits.com Really lovely there! Brilliant location for taking photos.
  • www.bloop.at
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • This is a very sweet image. The shallow depth of field, with just enough to show the distant kitten for reference, draws the viewer in to this little kitten's gaze. Nicely captured and managed with soft tones in post. ~ illona
  • Photographers Comment
  • Hi, my name is Josip, photo was taken in Bosnia and Herzegovina at my mom's house. Canon 80D, simple post made in PS, i tried to create some kind of moody look and soft color. I want to thank Illona for her comment!