Tell me what your think - truthfully now!

[Kurt]

I am really happy with this shot, but I need comments from dispassionate viewers, please tell me the truth, no holds barred! - Kurt

[Graham_of_Rainham]

Re: Tell me what your think - truthfully now!

You have spotted a brilliant subject, and have approached the composition in a way that presents the items very well.

I hope you still have access to these items as they can be arranged in all manner of different positions to suit your designs for this image.

Let look first at the back ground: This looks like a hard, smooth, surface, that's been wiped over with a damp cloth. While the marks could be acceptable to break up the plainness of the background, they need to be uniform throughout and not present as a distraction to the main subject arrangement. The water drips and stains on the RHS are simply distractions that need to be avoided in the set up or cloned out of the image. Alternatively: made more of as another complimentary random subject that contrasts the "positioned" main subject.

Moving up from the background, to the square slate, again there is the distractions of marks on the surface, which here I feel really do need to be removed. The texture of the slate is a great contrast to the smooth surface of the white spoons (I'm guessing that's what they are )

The top white spoon has what looks like a piece of noodle stuck to it, so unless this is a record of how a table was presented for you to eat at, this too must be removed, as it is a major distraction.

If this is something that you can go back to and set up, in various ways, then I really believe you have the subject elements and the imagination to produce this as a brilliant picture.

To increase the contrast of the white spoons against the slate, you could wet the slate to make it go darker. The number and positioning of the spoons is entirely your own choice, but I rather like the 5 & 1 that you already have.

If you can and do revisit this shot, do please show us the results.

[Kurt]

Re: Tell me what your think - truthfully now!

Thanks for that comprehensive review. I don't have access to any of the items. I quickly arranged them during a snack and drink and just took this single image. I didn't want to turn a pleasant social occasion with companions into a photo shoot, although I couldn't resist a quick snap before the waiter cleared them away.

Your comments have made me look closer at the image and I understand your reservations regarding the water spills, food left on the spoons, etc.

I will revisit the shot in Photoshop and I will certainly remove the noodle-like spots from the spoons.

I am not yet sure whether I like all the water, but I will leave at least some of it. Likewise the spills on the slate.

I must say that these small bites were followed by the most amazing tiny tuna burgers, which were the reason for a visit to this particular bar in Gijon, Northern Spain the other week.

K.

[Patrick]

Re: Tell me what your think - truthfully now!

Thanks for that comprehensive review. I don't have access to any of the items. I quickly arranged them during a snack and drink and just took this single image. I didn't want to turn a pleasant social occasion with companions into a photo shoot, although I couldn't resist a quick snap before the waiter cleared them away.

Your comments have made me look closer at the image and I understand your reservations regarding the water spills, food left on the spoons, etc.

I will revisit the shot in Photoshop and I will certainly remove the noodle-like spots from the spoons.

I am not yet sure whether I like all the water, but I will leave at least some of it. Likewise the spills on the slate.

I must say that these small bites were followed by the most amazing tiny tuna burgers, which were the reason for a visit to this particular bar in Gijon, Northern Spain the other week.

K.

I think there are two ways of looking at this image the first is the very graphic design, if this is the approach then all flaws the water the noodle whatever should be cleaned away, leaving the stark and flawless composition, with absolutely no distraction from the shapes..
The second is to make the water stains and anything else very much part of the image and possibly (not the stray bit of noodle) enhance them further to play a bigger part of the picture. The stains on the background for me adds balance to the picture. Less so the stains on the platter, in fact they could along with the noodle probably go anyway.

Either in my view would be a valid and good image.

Patrick

[Graham_of_Rainham]

Re: Tell me what your think - truthfully now!

Such a pity that you don't have the items, as you certianly have an eye for composing such shots.

Maybe a trip to Ikea, 99p, or a chineese supermarket would provide you with all the elements you need to create such shots.

So: Good Friends, Good Food, Good Foto...

[Kurt]

Re: Tell me what your think - truthfully now!

Thanks for comments so far. As promised I have had a play in Photoshop and this is what I have come up with. More comments welcomed.

[Graham_of_Rainham]

Re: Tell me what your think - truthfully now!

Now that really shows how to improve an image. The first one is a very good graphic style that has real impact.

Where did you get the new background from ?


The second is much improved from the first (my opinion). I do so like the idea behind this composition and it has provided me with some inspiration.

Thanks

[Kurt]

Re: Tell me what your think - truthfully now!

Hi Graham

I created the new background in photoshop by playing around with filters and colours. I then decided that something more was needed so I copied one of the spoons and rotated it.

I am not really happy with it, but it may appeal to some. In the thumbnail it looks a bit like a flower with a dropped petal.

If anyone wants to download this and create their own version please feel free, as long as you show us the result.

K.

[Ian]

Re: Tell me what your think - truthfully now!

I rather like the original the best. It might be completed by giving it a good title.

This kind of image is will produce many different opinions and most will be valid, but in different ways.

I, for one, like it a lot.

I'm not so keen on the one with the faked background though.

Ian

[Bob Ross]

Re: Tell me what your think - truthfully now!

I rather like the original the best. It might be completed by giving it a good title.

This kind of image is will produce many different opinions and most will be valid, but in different ways.

I, for one, like it a lot.

I'm not so keen on the one with the faked background though.

Ian

I am with Ian here, as I like the "found graphic" nature of the original shot more interesting. I would tend to "tone down" any of the distacting background elements to lighter that the square, to reduce the eye draw until you look at it closely.
The graphic version has impact and the "new spoon" adds to the composition until I noticed that it was floating and an obvious clone.
Neat shot.
Bob

[Kurt]

Re: Tell me what your think - truthfully now!

Thanks to all of your. Any ideas for a good title? I may enter this for a club competition (I don't expect it to do well as it is not really what most judges like) so it can't be too obscure - the judges don't get obscure!

[ash]

Re: Tell me what your think - truthfully now!

Its crap

Only kidding, its ok, I prefer the darker one, with this sort of abstract everything has to be spot on, and any shadow's have to be from whats in the frame!

[Kurt]

Re: Tell me what your think - truthfully now!

I don't think that title will appeal