altering colors without looking fake

Is there a good technique for lightening the grey points so that the cats appear white?

I have a specific task I want to do.

I want to take some photos of cats and alter their color without it looking fake. I am trying to illustrate a children’s book, and a couple of the main characters are solid white. I have not been able to find anybody with some solid white long haired cats who are friendly and easy to photograph.

But, I do happen to have two longhaired bluepoint cats. They are mostly white with light grey points (face, ears, feet, and tail). I can photograph them anytime I want to get the poses I need.

Is there a good technique for lightening the grey points so that the cats appear white? I have tried reducing contrast, working with greyscale photos, and the dodge tool. So far, I have been happiest with the dodge tool, though I haven’t been able to get it to look natural yet.

Anybody every do anything like this? Which techniques worked the best for you?

I have a specific task I want to do.

I want to take some photos of cats and alter their color without it looking fake. I am trying to illustrate a children’s book, and a couple of the main characters are solid white. I have not been able to find anybody with some solid white long haired cats who are friendly and easy to photograph.

But, I do happen to have two longhaired bluepoint cats. They are mostly white with light grey points (face, ears, feet, and tail). I can photograph them anytime I want to get the poses I need.

Is there a good technique for lightening the grey points so that the cats appear white? I have tried reducing contrast, working with greyscale photos, and the dodge tool. So far, I have been happiest with the dodge tool, though I haven’t been able to get it to look natural yet.

Anybody every do anything like this? Which techniques worked the best for you?

wrote:

I want to take some photos of cats and alter their color without it looking fake.

I have a specific task I want to do.

I want to take some photos of cats and alter their color without it looking fake. I am trying to illustrate a children’s book, and a couple of the main characters are solid white. I have not been able to find anybody with some solid white long haired cats who are friendly and easy to photograph.

But, I do happen to have two longhaired bluepoint cats. They are mostly white with light grey points (face, ears, feet, and tail). I can photograph them anytime I want to get the poses I need.

Is there a good technique for lightening the grey points so that the cats appear white? I have tried reducing contrast, working with greyscale photos, and the dodge tool. So far, I have been happiest with the dodge tool, though I haven’t been able to get it to look natural yet.

Anybody every do anything like this? Which techniques worked the best for you?

Want to buy shots of my gorgeous long haired white Japanese bobtail with one green and one blue eye?? Pretty Bowie Maneki-neko.

KatWoman wrote:

Want to buy shots of my gorgeous long haired white Japanese bobtail with one green and one blue eye?? Pretty Bowie Maneki-neko.

No thanks. When I need photos for something in particular, I trade photos for their time. I don’t pay cash, and I certainly don’t pay airfare and hotel costs to go across the country so that I can then pay someone more money. That would cost more than I expect to make on this book idea. Usually, I get paid for my photos, and then use them anyway I want.

On 21 Aug 2006 14:21:24 -0700, ""
wrote:

KatWoman wrote:

Want to buy shots of my gorgeous long haired white Japanese bobtail with one
green and one blue eye?? Pretty Bowie Maneki-neko.

No thanks. When I need photos for something in particular, I trade photos for their time. I don’t pay cash, and I certainly don’t pay airfare and hotel costs to go across the country so that I can then pay someone more money. That would cost more than I expect to make on this book idea. Usually, I get paid for my photos, and then use them anyway I want.

Your Photoshop abilities better then your sense of humour?
Dave

it would seem so, Dave.

I live in Miami, there are many animal model agencies and professional pets here. (Remember the alligator Elvis in Miami Vice TV show?)

But I was kidding, I think my pets are not model material, as their are not docile enough.

and we pay our models (rates of $300-5000 per day are not uncommon) depending upon usage and experience
also have made a living solely from photography
(of humans) for the last 30 years.
We have had paid dog trainers to come on set and they did get paid decent rates.

Your Photoshop abilities better then your sense of humour?

it was so obvious you were joking, KatWoman…
Have you noticed that freezian nowhere wrote under a name – not even freezes? It is as if that habit point to a certain kind of (isolated) person. Nervermind:-)