sparkly chocolate cookies

[dishingthedivine]

I have my own food blog and try to get photos posted on tastespotting and foodgawker (which require square photos). When my submissions are rejected, I come to you for hints on WHY!? In my mind, it's a great picture. Of course, I'm a little emotionally attached. And, in this case, I'm probably high on sugar.

The original image posted to these sites is only 250 pixels wide, so that's all i can give you.



Model = Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XSi
Exposure Time = 1/125"
F Number = F6.3
Exposure Program = Manual
ISO Speed Ratings = 200
Flash = Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
Focal Length = 35mm

Thanks for any feedback you can offer. I sincerely do treasure your comments (they cost me $100 last year in new dishes after someone told me my previous dish choice was horrid).

-Paula

[Thunder_o_b]

The technicals in this shot look good. The problem is the composition. You have no dominant subject. Both subjects have almost the same percentage of their image out of the picture, this leaves them competing for dominance in the shot. Choose one and have it dominate the shot. Also, I would suggest that you lower the angle of the camera by half.

[docxnoel]

thunder was right, it is technically good but something is lacking in this picture.... as i understand in food photography, when u saw a food it will be look so delicious and you will crave for it, but on this, i dont see any of this, it just like ordinary food. i suggest that you work for a better composition and put something that will makes the food yummy to eye.

[Michael_2010]

I know nothing about the fine art of food photography, but to me the tablecloth is competing with the cookies instead of complimenting them. However, I like the geometry it creates. What if you were to slide something under the plate inconspicuously to raise it up a little and then used a much more shallow depth of field to soften the focus of the tablecloth?

[dishingthedivine]

Originally Posted by Thunder_o_b

The technicals in this shot look good. The problem is the composition. You have no dominant subject. Both subjects have almost the same percentage of their image out of the picture, this leaves them competing for dominance in the shot. Choose one and have it dominate the shot. Also, I would suggest that you lower the angle of the camera by half.

Re: lowering the camera angle, I did try that to no avail. The cookies were just lumps of brownness at that point. I don't usually shoot food from the top (it's not recommended) but these particular cookies weren't working any other way. That said, maybe I needed to have fewer cookies on a plate? I don't know... I could always make them again! I do appreciate your comment about the split attention between the milk and the cookies. One of my huge problems is that I get so excited about props that I will do anything to fit them in the picture.

[dishingthedivine]

Originally Posted by Michael_2010

What if you were to slide something under the plate inconspicuously to raise it up a little and then used a much more shallow depth of field to soften the focus of the tablecloth?

I like the idea of propping something under the plate. I hadn't thought of that.... Back to the drawing board?

I can now see when I look at the photo without my emotional attachment that it's true that these cookies don't POP for me. I am about to post a revised version...

[dishingthedivine]

Okay, so I took a different photo and tweaked it in photoshop in an attempt to make it a bit more tasty looking. i'll be the first to admit that I suck at photoshop (generally, the rule is, if the picture sucks, throw it away and try again another day). That said, I'm curious if YOU think that this is any better. I will end up making these cookies again, so if it's not better then so be it.



(all same camera settings as before)

Thanks again for your feedback!

[Thunder_o_b]

This shot is more effective than the first. It appears a bit over exposed (the highlights in the upper center right are blown out. Trying to get the proper exposure from a dark subject with a white background can be challenging. Also a little less on the sharpening would be beneficial. I am not sure which 35mm you are using, but generally the "sweet spot" in most lenses is f8 give or take. Try that, it may lower the need to sharpen as much. Also, are you using a tripod?

What is the light source that you are using? You said flash, but is it a pop-up , hot shoe or stand alone?

[dishingthedivine]

Originally Posted by Thunder_o_b

This shot is more effective than the first. It appears a bit over exposed (the highlights in the upper center right are blown out. Trying to get the proper exposure from a dark subject with a white background can be challenging. Also a little less on the sharpening would be beneficial. I am not sure which 35mm you are using, but generally the "sweet spot" in most lenses is f8 give or take. Try that, it may lower the need to sharpen as much. Also, are you using a tripod?

What is the light source that you are using? You said flash, but is it a pop-up , hot shoe or stand alone?

I'm suing a tamron 28-75. So far, it's been good enough for my needs, although I've been known to drool over the canon L lens in the same range.

Re: flash, I'm shooting off-camera flash.

No tripod - I hate using the d*** thing to get my food shots. It's too cumbersome. My hubby already has to wait for dinner as it is most nights as I set up the perfect shot. I'd hate for food to get even colder while I try to arrange the tripod. My theory has simply been to flood the space with more ambient light so that I can try to up the f-stop while at the same time not losing my currently necessary 1/125 sec exposure time (no IS on this lens).

Thoughts?

[Thunder_o_b]

Originally Posted by dishingthedivine

I'm suing a tamron 28-75. So far, it's been good enough for my needs, although I've been known to drool over the canon L lens in the same range.

Re: flash, I'm shooting off-camera flash.

No tripod - I hate using the d*** thing to get my food shots. It's too cumbersome. My hubby already has to wait for dinner as it is most nights as I set up the perfect shot. I'd hate for food to get even colder while I try to arrange the tripod. My theory has simply been to flood the space with more ambient light so that I can try to up the f-stop while at the same time not losing my currently necessary 1/125 sec exposure time (no IS on this lens).

Thoughts?

Well, still life photos really benefit from the use of a tripod, it gives you the freedom to use ambient light, flash or a combination of the two, and the freedom to pick the f stop you want. You can reproduce the composition exactly shot to shot as you dial in the exposure and lighting. If you run the iso up and the flash down you can keep the natural light with the flash as a light fill. You can also "drag" the shutter and use the flash for highlights, but this requires a longer shutter speed than you will want to handhold.

You really should rethink the use of the tripod.