which pie is better?

[dishingthedivine]

I have a food blog (www.dishingthedivine.com) and am using it as an outlet for my photography hobby.

My hubby snapped this for me and I thought the composition was interesting. Question is, leave the pic as it was shot (first one shown) or keep the photoshop edits (pic #2). I used the render function in photoshop to create a soft spotlight effect. I'm VERY NEW to photoshop (as well as to my dSLR) so I imagine there were better ways to do this.

Thanks for your help!

Photo #1:

canon rebel xti sigma 18-250 HSM lens
f 5.6
exposure: 1/60
iso 200
exposure bias: -1
metering mode: pattern

Photo #2:


canon rebel xti sigma 18-250 HSM lens
f 5.6
exposure: 1/60
iso 200
exposure bias: -1
metering mode: pattern

Thanks so much!

[dblightsey]

I like number 2. slice it up already! Lighting makes 2 look better for sure.

[dishingthedivine]

thanks for your comments! I'll use that one on my blog. How about the top corners? Do they look weird since they're now black? Should I make them the same color as the rest of the back of the photo?

[Father Bob]

I loke the second one also but I find the lighter background distracting. Maybe use a layer mask to block the effects? It might be me but is the pie tilted down and to the left? The corners are OK.
I think I'll go get a snack.
Al

[dishingthedivine]

Re: the pie being tilted, I'll look at the full size version and check that. I think we may also be confused because the pie is higher in the center than it is on the edges - thus the appearance of a tilt.

I don't know much about photoshop, but I start a class in just a week! Looking forward to that as I know nothing about masks.