Lazy Old Coot Loc: Gainesville, Florida

But he was nice enough to pose for me with a nice black background. ...... Coot

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Treepusher Loc: Kingston, Massachusetts

Very well done! Great eyes!

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

Very nice cat photo (I am a cat person so I'm prejudiced of course). The nicked ear gives it extra interest, like a portrait of a person with a scar. We know from the start that this is not a show-cat. I might give the normal ear a bit more clearance and try to wring a little more drama out of those beautiful eyes, but it is a very appealing cat image. You've inspired me to try to put my cat in front of a black background, though I expect she'll be more contrary than your neighbor's cat was.

Frank2013 Loc: San Antonio, TX. & Milwaukee, WI.

Very clean shot Coot, you must have a steady hand. I like minniev would like a touch more space at the top.

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

This is indeed a nice picture of one of our feline friends and like min I rather like his battered ear. Any good cat should have a few battle scars.
It could be a very good image with a further short visit to the PP darkroom. I would suggest selectively sharpening the eyes and in Camera Raw or similar get some separation of the white fur.
My cat is a spoiled brat and is quite willing to pose but only after payment for image rights has been discussed.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Amazing how one little detail can make a world of difference: that torn ear adds so much character and encourages us to wonder about this boy's personality and his life. Very engaging photo!

I agree with the couple of tweaks as suggested by others.

Lazy Old Coot Loc: Gainesville, Florida

Linda, That ear is not a battle scar, it was clipped by the Vet when he was neutered. Gainesville has for some time had a growing problem with a large population of feral cats. Several of the Vets have started an inexpensive spay and neuter program called "Cat Snip". After the cats are "fixed" they're released back into the wild. The idea is that the un-fixed cats will breed with them but they won't produce any kittens. When the vets fix the cat under the program they clip the cat's left ear so they will know it's already been fixed if someone else happens to catch it and bring it in again. Since my neighbor has seven cats she had to use the program to get them all done within her budget.

When I took this shot "Raider" was sitting on top of my neighbor's SUV and there was dark trim on the garage behind him. I under exposed him a bit and increased contrast in post to keep the background as dark as I could without blowing out the white fur. ...... Coot

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Thank you for the info, Coot. Very interesting to know. I have a rescue dog, and my previous was one also (he was with me nearly 15 years, Trixie is now going on 8) + I was home to a stray cat for over 7 years. Friends of mine + my brother and his wife seem to be magnets for abandoned and abused animals, as well.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

I like this portrait. I think I would like to see a bit more room above the left ear. The clipped ear adds character and the fact that it is not a battle scar is so much the better for the cat. Well done.
Erich

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Humm, saw a young man, perhaps in late 20's with his left ear clipped and one ear ring.... could it be that ????

Lovely portrait of a wise one. Have cats here, they claim their building as their territory. I have two cats to greet me in the morning, one belongs in upper condos well fed, but eager for food, the other, Boots is a from the woods cat, she has a clipped ear, and begs food from several doors. Rare can she be touched.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Very nicely done.
--Bob

Lazy Old Coot Loc: Gainesville, Florida

Many thanks to all of you for your kind words and comments. I forgot to mention I took this shot with a Nikon Coolpix s9900 (just a point and shoot with a few bells and whistles). I carry it in a belt pouch whenever I leave the house. Before I bought it I only took my SX50, or before that the SX40, with me when I knew I was going out to take some photos. However, at other times,I was constantly running into occasions when something interesting would crop up and my camera was at home on the shelf. Since I bought the Nikon, I have ended up taking more pictures with it than I do with the SX50. I end up deleting most of them, but perhaps five percent of them turn out to be worth a little work in post and become solid keepers. If I take the time to pay a little attention to what I'm doing the image quality is quite acceptable. Thanks again. ...... Coot