Birthday Cake

[txredneck52]

The first picture is the original picture, i used the features on my camera to change the coloring. i like both pictures, but im leaning towards the second picture. What do you think could make the picture(first or second) better?

[DuckieLauren]

Cool cake.
I find the 2 middle candles are distracting. I don't find they add anything to the picture.

[Hartzler]

Of the two choices given, I prefer the first. In terms of improving the image, candlelight gives off a warm glow and I think it has thrown the white balance in this image off. Your image has a distinct orange cast. I suspect the original cake had white frosting with pink and blue candles. The Happy Birthday lettering may have been pink with white centers. If you set your white point on the frosting, it should remove the orange cast.

I’ve also ended up with images where the white balance is off. In my experience, auto white balance setting works best within a certain range and if you’re scene is at the extreme ends, then auto may not get it.

On another note, the light of your candles is overexposed. So you have these blown out all white points, instead of nice warm candle flame images. I’ve done this myself; it’s very easy to do.

But back to the candle light, I’m very much an amateur. So I can’t tell you exactly what to do to get the candle light exposure right, but I’m sure you can search this sight and a guide will turn up. Also with digital, you can just shoot a few images at different exposures and see which looks best.

Thanks for letting me look at your images. To the extent my advice helps great, but I’m very much a duffer, so don’t take my words too deeply to heart.

[KansaiGreenie]

Hi txredneck52,

I think that I agree with you, that I like the second image better. I feel that way because it seems more real to me. I also agree with Hartzler that the white balance is too warm in the 1st image and I would like it better if the colors were more accurate.

On another note...

Happy Birthday

KG