i find if you do too many of the same type of shots, it gets pretty boring cos none of them have their own individuality. that aside, the second one is my favourite. it captures the colours of the sunset and the atmosphere feels so serene... :D
i like the one on yuko. perhaps it's the pose, perhaps it's the authentic-ness of it,perhaps it's her expression, perhaps i'm more partial to female models. i just think it stands out.
meowww!!! i love meow meow meow meow meow! the first picture you capture the expression of the cat very well. and i like the darkened bg of the second shot. looks almost like a studio shot of a meow! :D
by the looks of it, it looks like a bit of brightness contrast tweaked, maybe layers. then duplicate a layer and put it on one of the layer blending options, possibly overlay.