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80 Percent Black Panfur


We had quite a conundrum in the condo this week. Our 52 Snapshots challenge was Black. Now you might think that would be an easy peasy one but not. so. fast.

When TW was younger, all her clothing was black. She even dyed her hair black. But she’s mellowed a bit with old age. As far as The Cat, I don’t have any black toys. I don’t think they make black cat toys cos for some reason black represents evil to humans. We had to think up something pronto.

Then Pop saved the day. Leave it to my Pop to save the day! He reminded me that gray was a percentage of black so a stunning pic of myself would be perfect. Today’s lead image fits the bill. Frankly I’ve always wanted to be a black panfur. TW was trying to see what I’d look like as a pure black gray cat so she took this one with my tail hiding most of my white “devil horns.”

Believe it or not, this next image is a color image although it looks black and white.


TW remembered she had a black cat statue in the china closet that Aunt Pauline had given her. All her tries at photographing me with the statue were fails except this one which is kind of cute.


Remember: Black is beautiful and Black Lives Matter whether those lives are human or furry. Black cats are less likely to be adopted from shelters than other color anipals.

Thanks to Christina and The Lazy Pit Bull for hosting the 52 Snapshots of Life photo challenge this week and every week throughout 2015. For those who would like to participate, next week’s theme is School.

In art news, this week TW taught herself overlays, textures and masks in Photoshop. Lady cats and gentle cats, we’ve created a monster! She’s totally out of control. Some of it I like, some of it not so much. To paraphrase a much used and much abused saying: she creates; you decide.

First she learned how to use overlays because she downloaded some flares for free.

The sun is so bright, I can’t see!

Then we decided to try a geometric texture but needed to create a mask so I’d stand out. It’s not bad for a first try. I’m not really a fan of the pattern though.


Here’s a watercolor background using our “black” photo. Even though she created one with a mask, I preferred the soft colors on my furs. I believe she used the “overlay” mode to blend them.



Finally—and this is The Cat’s favorite—she used another of the watercolor backgrounds and this time went with the “color dodge” mode. We thought about adding a frame but we aren't big fans of frames.


Who said you can’t teach an old fart new tricks. I’m certain you can create these in online photo editors like PicMonkey and Pizap too but doing it in Photoshop, we have complete control and can use any photo in our library as a background, overlay or texture. By jove, I think we reinvented the wheel!

Many thanks to Athena and Marie for hosting the Caturday Art Blog Hop every week and giving us an excuse to experiment with all these crazy Photoshop features. Stop by the see some creative anipals strutting their newest art images.

I’ve told you what we learned this week, what did you guys learn?

Would you like to comment?

  1. My human prefers using Photoshop over the online programs too - she does a lot of tweaking (of the images! She doesn't do that other thing, although the way she sometimes obsesses over Photoshop, you might wonder).

    BTW, most of her wardrobe is still black, plus her hair. Mainly because it is easy. It's too much work for her to think about what colors she wants.

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  2. You covered it all quite nicely CK and black looks good on you!

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  3. You did great with that "Black Challenge", CK ! Purrs

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  4. You stepped right up and handled the black challenge with the best examples!

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  5. You make a great honorary black panfur. :) I think your coloring is gorgeous. The color dodge photo is really fun too! TW did a great job and you were the purrrfect model.
    -Purrs from your friends at www.PlayfulKitty.net

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  6. I love my black house panthers-and I love you too CK :)

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  7. Your stunning photos sure fit the theme "black!" You make a beautiful black panfur :-)
    The art images are beautiful, too. I really love the last one. Such a cool image!

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  8. Stunning pics! My mum's wardrobe is mostly black. At one time her hair was black too but it's a bit lighter now.

    Purrs xx
    Athena

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  9. Hey CK, I agree I like the softer pics better but the final picture, a water colour is awesome. Well done, CK's mom. CK looks splendid.

    (((Shoko)))

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  10. Your art image for this week is quite stunning, just like you are. So many of today's photos really pleased us. Mommy loves black kitties and you came quite close in that first photo. Good job! Hope you will be part of our Sunday Selfies Blog Hop tomorrow. XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo

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  11. Mes learned that my Mommy can get home -- even when we is cut off from the rest of the world! And mes must say your human i getting quite excellent at the Photoshop stuff!! Wowwzers! Mes can't choose which one mes likes the bestest!
    Kisses
    Nellie

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  12. These are great! Mommy has been toying with photoshop but is has been a complete faulure

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  13. I love that little black cat statue! Did you know that Monday is Black Cat Appreciation Day? Mudpie will be having her very first giveaway :)

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  14. We nominated you for da Eight Photos of Happiness challenge - ya can see the guidelines here. Have fun!

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  15. Ck, you coulda used me today for the 52 week challenge if you wanted to. :) ~Ernie

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  16. CK, that lead photo of you might just be our all-time FAVE! Stunning, mysterious... we LOVE it!

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  17. What a cute picture ! My black cat once turned into reddish for a little while but now she is all black again !

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  18. We think you ended up doing great with the "black" theme! We also love the photoshopped photos. I really need to learn to use my photoshop better. I find it very challenging and end up going back to the online editors because I already know how to use them! But I know Photoshop will do a lot more...I just need to figure out HOW.
    Jan & the crew at Wag 'n Woof Pets

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  19. Way to go, CK! You did a wonderful job of covering the "black" theme.

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  20. OMC!! TW is out of control!!! She is getting way to clever!! You need to put the bitey on, big time, CK!!! Very cool art though :)

    Re: the one solitary white eyebrow. I've had some strange requests in my time, but ........ ???? MOL Oh and I now have SelfiesRUs.com on speed dial! Thanks for the heads up!! xxxxx

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  21. Gweat fotos CK. We luvved 'em all. And we luv da black kitties. We purray they all find purrfect homes. Have a gweat day.

    Luv ya'

    Dezi and Lexi

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  22. I saw your little pink pads in your second photo. The first is my favourite because you look very sultry, and I know you are looking at me.

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  23. Well I must say that you and TW solved the Black , 52 Snapshots challenge !

    XOXO

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  24. You need to have your human find you a black toy. I have some black sparkle balls but they tend to get lost easily.

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  25. WOW - I need to try some of those CK - they really make such a difference to a photograph - and you know what Pop is right! You are almost a black cat - how PAWsome is that!

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  26. P.S. CK we have the self-same cat - it sits in front of mum as I type!!

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  27. It's your very own Black Panfur (House Variety) here, my darling. I'm fainty that *you're* fainty. As you can see, PLENTY of room to romp on the nice quilt. See you soon?

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