MicrostockGroup
Microstock Photography Forum - General => Photo Critique => Topic started by: ssotangkur on March 25, 2009, 01:12
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Let me know if this has potential? If not, is it salvageable.
FYI, I used a layer mask to darken the background, brighten the foreground and increase contrast.
Feel free to give me negative criticism.
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3600/3383735539_18365e339c.jpg)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/synapticjelly/3383735539/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/synapticjelly/3383735539/)
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The cup of cappuccino is under exposed and the bright reflection for the table or whatever in the top of the photo is distracting as well as the slightly out of focus subject right behind the cup.
Honestly, I couldn't do any better but there is too much going on in this picture besides the main subject (cappuccino).
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... but there is too much going on in this picture besides the main subject (cappuccino).
I agree - my natural instinct is to look at the much too prominent and complicated background to try and figure out what it is I'm looking at. The image is also too dark.
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I think it is fine to have other things in the photo to create a mood but perhaps with less contrast that the actual subject. They can be over exposed, or underexposed in the background to isolate the foreground but contrast is a problem. I would also give a little more room to the subject (the cup) It looks like it is being cut off a bit on the mug.
The mug also looks underexposed still.
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Those are all really good points.
I was hoping that the table in the back would give a greater sense that you are indeed in a cafe, but it seems like its detracting more than its adding. Should I cut my losses and crop out the background table?
If I can brighten the front of the cup more, bump up the contrast, will that salvage the bottom half of the image?
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I think you would be better off reshooting.
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I do not think the background is too bad, but I agree with the others. The main subject should be more the" main subject". Its cut off and underexposed. It looks to much as a random snapshot.
But judge for your self: Search at iStock for cappuccino under best match and ask your self: can my image compete.
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The large oval white spot on the top left has the typical gray look you get with the PS burn tool. It probably was totally blown out. Don't burn it but fill it up with a generated gradient or blurred texture: looks much more natural.
The DOF is also too shallow on the cup, and the cup itself as the main subject is cropped away too much.
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The large oval white spot on the top left has the typical gray look you get with the PS burn tool. It probably was totally blown out. Don't burn it but fill it up with a generated gradient or blurred texture: looks much more natural.
The DOF is also too shallow on the cup, and the cup itself as the main subject is cropped away too much.
My thoughts exactly.
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its not a bad shot, just a little busy and the cropping could be better.
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its not a bad shot, just a little busy and the cropping could be better.
Yes, the concept should be clearer. It's a bit confusing, you have to look at it two times to undestand what it is. And that is bad in stock photography.
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It's not a bad photo but, I agree with most of the rest of them..the background is way to busy for the focus to be on the subject...it also bothers me that the bottom of the cup is cropped out and the slant of the photos also bothers me. It looks like it needs to be straightened. I don't know if you can salvage it or not..personally I'd try reshooting it with more focus on the foreground and shooting at a straighter angle. Also watch for all that activity in the background.Good Luck.
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It took me about a second to figure out it was a cup of coffee on an images that is several times bigger than a thumbnail. A second is far too long. i.s. the main subject is too ambiguous.
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It took me about a second to figure out it was a cup of coffee ...
Which reminds me of something I've always wanted to ask: What is your avatar a picture of, Zeus?
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let me see. as you asked, this is just my opinion.. so please take it with a grain of salt.there is only about 1/3rd of the image that is in focus. so i assume that it is the point of focus. and the other 2/3rd is out of focus (as, you used selective focus, if you prefer).unfortunately, there is very little thought in composition.
it's alright to use the background to give it ambience , like you say. but this is distracting if the ambience is not complimentary to the subject.
i would suggest, reshoot with the cup of coffee in the centre and a bit of ambience in the background. our natural instinct is to look at the "bigger" picture, and that is where you should fill the subject; not at the bottom where it looks like it falling OUT of the FRAME. hope that makes sense.
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It took me about a second to figure out it was a cup of coffee ...
Which reminds me of something I've always wanted to ask: What is your avatar a picture of, Zeus?
It's a Turaco. I really should change it to a cup of cappuccino or perhaps a doughnut. Something a little closer to my personality.