rejected again :(

[dishingthedivine]

As I have mentioned here several times on DPS, I have a food blog and often submit my photos to foodgawker and tastespotting. When my photos are rejected, I bring them to you guys for comments on how to improve them. I take your suggestions very seriously and, if I can, I try to come back later to post "how's this now that I took your suggestions?" shots.

I rendered my own lard and described my experience on my blog. Here is the photo I submitted (photos must be 250x250 pixels, so that explains why it is so small). It was rejected for being dull/unsharp. What do you think? And how do I improve it?



Model = Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XSi
Exposure Time = 1/125"
F Number = F9
Exposure Program = Manual
ISO Speed Ratings = 200
Exposure Bias Value = ±0EV
Flash = Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
Focal Length = 63mm

Thanks!

[Meg robinson]

I would do a dark background to contrast with the lard and perhaps a more interesting angle or something more unexpected...multiple spoons with lard in each one??

[dishingthedivine]

Originally Posted by Meg robinson

I would do a dark background to contrast with the lard and perhaps a more interesting angle or something more unexpected...multiple spoons with lard in each one??

I REALLY LIKE the idea of the multiple spoons! I have a bunch of lard in the freezer that I will thaw and try this with! It's such a neat perspective that I would not have thought of!

[dee_gee]

Hi, I like the multiple spoons idea too, you can get really creative with that. However, I'm no expert but I think that maybe in your shot the lard should be the main focus and that the background pattern is just a bit distracting. I find my eye tends to look all over the photo trying to make sense of it rather than look at the lard first. Also bringing out more contrast on the lard to bring out the texture which I think will make it look better. How about using a macro lens to focus in a bit, and also maybe to the side angle of the spoon rather than the top?

[dishingthedivine]

Originally Posted by dee_gee

Hi, I like the multiple spoons idea too, you can get really creative with that. However, I'm no expert but I think that maybe in your shot the lard should be the main focus and that the background pattern is just a bit distracting. I find my eye tends to look all over the photo trying to make sense of it rather than look at the lard first. Also bringing out more contrast on the lard to bring out the texture which I think will make it look better. How about using a macro lens to focus in a bit, and also maybe to the side angle of the spoon rather than the top?

re: background, that's what another commenter said as well. They sent me a message with alternative edits (lighter contrast on the background, greater contrast and sharpness on the lard itself) and it looks great. As I mentioned to this commenter, I am TERRIBLE at envisioning what could be. I need someone to literally train my mind.

Re: the macro lens, I don't have one. I wonder if your suggestions would work with my standard lens (tamron 28-75)

[dee_gee]

Originally Posted by dishingthedivine

re: background, that's what another commenter said as well. They sent me a message with alternative edits (lighter contrast on the background, greater contrast and sharpness on the lard itself) and it looks great. As I mentioned to this commenter, I am TERRIBLE at envisioning what could be. I need someone to literally train my mind.

Re: the macro lens, I don't have one. I wonder if your suggestions would work with my standard lens (tamron 28-75)

Well I don't think a macro lens is really necessary, (I don't have one myself but I did buy some cheap screw-in macro filters you can stick on the end of your lens on ebay).

Sharpness is important though, do you have a 50mm lens for your camera? They are fairly cheap and it really is good for portraits and for focusing on one main subject whilst blurring out the background. It would be ideal for product photos I'd think and the wide open aperture would give it the kind of light that would make it look good imo. Look at the 50mm groups on flickr to see what I mean.

However, I think bringing out the texture and contrast of the actual item is probably more important, as well as sharpness. What do you want to convey about the lard to the audience anyway? I think with product photos, like products themselves, you would need to think about its USP (unique selling point) and focus on trying to bring that out in the photo, after all that's what it's about.

Your photo reminds me a bit of when I tried to photograph some honey once, It's not a great photo though but I was trying to bring out it's golden colour which, to me, is its USP. I was trying to bring out the shimmering light etc but it was hard! With the lard, I'd suggest trying to do something similar, but focus on its creamy texture instead - try bringing out its creaminess, its softness, all whipped up sitting neatly on a shiny spoon etc, I know it's easy enough for me to say, eh!

amber | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

[zona5101]

your lighting is flat. I know that lard in the spoon has some curves, some differences in height but you can not see this detail because the lighting is flat (no shadows) You might want to experiment with pushing light across the object. Basically two lights a main that is pointed across the spoon (left to right) and a lower power light or reflector placed above or to the right to reduce the lighting contrast.

[BexJarratt]

I'm no expert at all, particularly in this field; however, I find the highlight reflection on the spoon to be distracting. I don't know if it would be possible to light the lard well without creating a hot spot on the spoon. I think this would help to re-direct the focus. Some-one (who knew what they were talking about much more than me) said that the eye is drawn to the lightest part of the picture.

[Eileen D]

I too found the light on the spoon distracting. Even when I envisioned the image with a dark background to make the lard stand out more, I still found that my eye was drawn by that flare of light on the metal. Would it be possible to try a darker spoon, perhaps a wooden spoon or a dark plastic spoon of some kind so that the lard is the main attraction. I also agree that better lighting would help to make the lard the focus. If you try it again, please post another image so we can see what difference the changes make.

[Photologyst]

Coincidentally I have been rendering lard in the last few days after having prepared a massive pork roast and considering how to photo that.

I would use a contrasting, single colour in the background such as red or dark blue that would make the lard pop. Also, taking a shot from another angle might work well.